Descendants of David Bunch, Sr

by Robert B. Davis

Generation No. 1

1. DAVID2 BUNCH, SR (DRURY1) was born March 12, 1833 in Cumberland County, Kentucky, and died August 20, 1906 in Shannon County, Missouri. He was 73 when he died. He married FRANCIS C. DAVIS July 23, 1865 in Washington County, Missouri (Bk C, P52), daughter of LUKE DAVIS and RACHEL FIELDS. She was born February 02, 1848 in St. Francois County, Missouri, and died February 19, 1903 in Shannon County, Missouri. She was 55 when she died.

Notes for DAVID BUNCH, SR:

It is known that David joined the Union Army during the Civil War. He entered service at Pilot Knob, Missouri, on August 26, 1861. His first unit was the 6th Missouri Volunteer Infantry and his last known unit was Company A, 8th Missouri Volunteer Infantry. David would be mustered out of the Union Army in Little Rock, Arkansas, as a Corporal, on August 26, 1864. He would marry Francis C. Davis the following year.

The 1870 Missouri Productions of Agriculture Census, the first in which David appeared, showed that he owned 290 acres of land, valued at $1000.00, with another $40.00 worth of farm implements and machinery. His livestock consisted of 3 horses, 2 working oxen, 1 milk cow, 3 other cattle, and 30 pigs. His harvest consisted of only 700 bushels of Indian corn and 10 bushels of Irish potatoes.

The 1880 Missouri Productions of Agriculture Census, the last census checked, showed that David owned 200 acres of land, valued at $700.00, with no value listed for his farm implements and machinery. His livestock consisted of 3 mules, 4 working oxen, 2 milk cows, 4 other cattle, 2 calves, 4 sheep, 220 pigs, 20 chickens and 8 other fowl. His harvest consisted of 1800 bushels of Indian corn, 6 pounds of wool, 400 pounds of butter and 120 dozen eggs.

In 1890, David killed a man named "Thompson" as a result of a disagreement involving a mule. The shooting followed Thompson's many threats and subsequent attempt to kill him(David). David believed that he was acting in self defense, but the courts felt otherwise and David was convicted of 2d Degree Murder and sent to prison. He was confined in the State Prison in Jefferson City from July 29, 1890, until his discharge on March 22, 1897. David was released early when he was pardoned by the Governor of the State of Missouri.

In the 1900 Missouri Census, David had a ward living in his household named Mamie Nesbit. It is known that David's son Philip married Linda Nesbit and it is quite possible that Mamie was a sibling of Linda's taken in by the Bunch family for some unknown reason.

Also, David's date of death was taken off of his Civil War pension records and differs by three days with the date given by his son on his death certificate.

More About DAVID BUNCH, SR:
Burial: Bunch Family Cemetery, Shannon County, Missouri
Occupation: Coal Miner Occupation: Coal Miner

David & Rachel Bunch Family, ca. 1878

Notes for FRANCIS C. DAVIS:
Francis is known to have divorced her husband David, on March 12, 1896, only to remarry him one year later, on May 15, 1897. It is not known just why this happened, however, it is known that David went to prison in Missouri for the killing of a man believed to be the father-in-law of their daughter Rachel and that may have caused that short divorce.
Also, it should be noted that the dates concerning the death of Francis were obtained from the family Bible of Julia Bunch.

More About FRANCIS C. DAVIS:
Burial: Bunch Family Cemetery, Shannon County, Missouri

More About DAVID BUNCH and FRANCIS DAVIS:
Marriage: July 23, 1865, Washington County, Missouri (Bk C, P52)
Marriage 1: Married by John F. Self, Justice of the Peace
Marriage 2: Married by Iser Epstain, Justice of the Peace

Children of DAVID BUNCH and FRANCIS DAVIS are:

i. RACHEL ANN3 BUNCH, b. August 20, 1866, Shannon County, Missouri; d. September 30, 1939, Shannon County, Missouri. She was 73 when she died.

Notes for RACHEL ANN BUNCH:
Rachel, also known as Annie or Anna, married Andrew J. McEntire, on October 14, 1887, in Shannon County, Missouri. Andrew was born in February 1861 in Georga. They had at least six children together and their names were Nora M., born in Missouri in March 1888; Tobiah J. or  Tobie, born in Missouri in September 1891; Luther, born in Missouri in January 1893; Ollie F., born in Missouri in January 1895; Clarence, born in Missouri in April 1897; and Ocie, born in Missouri in May 1900.

Rachel could be found with her family in the 1900 and 1910 Missouri Censuses. In the 1920 Missouri Census Rachel could not be located, however, Andrew was found living with his son Tobiah and his family. Tobiah was married to a woman named Ettie and they had three children.  It is unknown what happened to Rachel as she did not die until 1939. The informant on Rachel's death certificate was her son Clarence. Also, Rachel's death certificate listed her name as Anna Francis McEntire. A Bunch family researcher provided the name used herein (Rachel Ann) and that name will be used in this family tree.

It was Andrew's father, it is believed, that was killed by David Bunch, Sr, Rachel's father. It should be noted that some records list the man killed by David Bunch, Sr., as "Thompson". Thompson may have been that individuals first name as the last name of Rachel's father-in-law was McEntire.

More About RACHEL ANN BUNCH:
Burial: Stone Hill Cemetery, Dent County, Missouri
Cause of Death: Cerebral Hemorrhage
Medical Information: Attending Doctor - N.T. Euday, M.D.

ii. LUKE BUNCH, b. February 11, 1869, Shannon County, Missouri; d. November 25, 1934, Shannon County, Missouri. He was 65 when he died.

Notes for LUKE BUNCH:
Luke married Mary Jane Conway on July 11, 1893. Mary was born December 4, 1875 in Shannon County, Missouri and died July 2, 1916, in Shannon County, Missouri. They had at least ten children together. Those children were named Jennie P., born in Missouri in September 1893; Jesse, born in Missouri in September 1896; Bessie M., born in Missouri in September 1899; Ethel, born in Missouri about 1902; Emma, born in Missouri about 1905; Alpha Lena, born in Missouri about 1907.; Bonnie, born in Missouri about 1911; James Paul, born in Missouri about 1913; Marcus and Jessie R. Marcus died shortly after birth and Jessie R. died at age 11. Neither Marcus nor Jessie ever appeared in a Missouri Census and their names were obtained from a Bunch family researcher. Luke appeared in the 1900 through 1920 Missouri Censuses with his family. Luke was the executor of his father's estate upon his death in 1906. Luke obviously could not write as he signed the corresponding court record with his mark which had to be witnessed by the presiding judge. Also, both Luke and his wife Mary are buried together in the Conway Cemetery.

More About LUKE BUNCH:
Burial: Conway Cemetery, Shannon County, Missouri
Occupation: Farmer

iii. DAVID BUNCH, JR, b. December 12, 1871, Shannon County, Missouri; d. March 03, 1943, Shannon County, Missouri. He was 71 when he died.

Notes for DAVID BUNCH, JR:
David would marry twice during his lifetime, both times in Shannon County, Missouri. David would go on to out live both of his wives. David married Minnie Meshwert on October 24, 1892. Minnie was born in Indiana about 1878. They had at least three children together and they were named Easter, born in Missouri in March 1894; Mary Francis, born in Missouri in August 1896; and May, born in Missouri about 1896. Mary and May may have been twins, but this could not be verified.
David would marry his second wife, Mollie Stringer, on February 5, 1903. Mollie was born in Missouri about 1875 and died on April 4, 1938. They would have at least seven more children and they were named Robert, born in Missouri on January 4, 1904 and died in Missouri on November 20, 1972; Myrtle, born in Missouri about 1905; Clayton, born in Missouri January 13, 1907 and died in Missouri on December 5, 1986; Charley, born in Missouri May 23, 1908 and died in Illinois on January 23, 1975; Renie, born in Missouri on April 7, 1910; Silvia, born in Missouri on February 24, 1913; and David Franklin, born in Missouri on November 29, 1915 and died in Missouri on May 8, 1974. Mollie died on April 4, 1938.
Robert would marry Anna Jewell Donaldson on October 1, 1938; Clayton would marry Lora Wilhelmina Donaldson on November 25, 1932; Charley would marry Cora Rose Donaldson on February 4, 1933; Ranie would marry Ervin Gore; Sylvia would marry Grover Gore on July 31, 1929; and David would marry Ethel Louise Donaldson on April 20, 1935. It is believed that Anna, Lora, Cora, and Ethel Donaldson were sisters and Evin and Grover Gore were brothers.
Mollie also carried the same last name as the first wife of Butler Bunch who is the younger brother of David. More likely than not they were siblings. David appeared with his family in the 1900 through 1920 Missouri Censuses.
It should be noted that David's death certificate was incomplete and contained some inaccurate information. David's date of birth was listed as March 3, 1869 on the "supplementary" death certificate and it is known that that date is incorrect. The correct date is used herein and was obtained from a Bunch family researcher. Also, David was listed as a Senior when it is known that he was a Junior.

More About DAVID BUNCH, JR:
Burial: Heaton Cemetery, Shannon County, Missouri
Cause of Death: Cerebral Embolism
Medical Information: Attending Doctor - Frank Hyde, M.D.
Occupation: Farmer

iv. PHILIP S. BUNCH, b. October 03, 1873, Shannon County, Missouri; d. July 14, 1955, St. Francois County, Missouri. He was 81 when he died.

Notes for PHILIP S. BUNCH:
Philip married at least three times. His first wife was Linda Nesbit and they married on March 4, 1895, in Shannon County, Missouri. There were no known children born to that union. On November 8, 1903, after Linda's death, Philip married Louisa Adams (Nee: Fortner) a widow. Louisa, known as Lucy, was born in Missouri about 1880. This second marriage resulted in at least two children and they were named Butler, born in Missouri about 1907 and Josephine, born in Missouri about 1910. Lucy brought one child into the marriage named Jack. Jack was born in Missouri about 1898. Upon the death of Lucy, Philip would marry for the last time to Liza Fortner sometime around 1912. Liza was born October 9, 1890 in Iron County, Missouri and died June 23, 1956 in St. Francois County, Missouri. This third marriage produced at least four more children and they were named Belck, born in Missouri about 1914; Ivy I., born in Missouri about 1915; Lee, born in  Missouri about 1917; and James E., born in Missouri in 1919. Liza was listed on Phillip's death certificate as his wife. Philip's year of birth was listed on his death certificate as 1871 and Bunch family records indicate that he was born in 1873. The year 1871 will be used herein. Phillip was found in the 1900 through 1920 Missouri censuses. In the 1900 Missouri Census, Philip was living alone. This was after Linda's death and before he married Lucy. It is known that Louisa Adams, Charles Fortner and Liza Fortner were all siblings. Charles Fortner was married to Philip's younger sister Susan.

More About PHILIP S. BUNCH:
Burial: Matkins Cemetery, St. Francois County, Missouri
Cause of Death: Aortic Regurgitation, Senility & Anemia
Medical Information: Attending Doctor - George Wlakle, D.O.
Occupation: Farmer

v. ALICE MARIE BUNCH, b. December 31, 1875, Shannon County, Missouri; d. October 09, 1963, Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. She was 87 when she died.

Notes for ALICE MARIE BUNCH:
Alice married James N. Perry on February 20, 1895, in Shannon County, Missouri. James was born in Missouri in October 1868. They had at least eight children together. Those children were named Frances E., born in Missouri in December 1895; Charles, born in Missouri in August 1899; George, born in Missouri about 1901; Lilly M., born in Missouri about 1904; Robert, born in Missouri about 1906; Trusta, born in Arkansas about 1909; Jesse, born in Arkansas about  1914; and Genovene, born in Arkansas about 1916.
Sometime around 1906, James would move his family to the state of Arkansas and they would remain there for the rest of their lives. Alice is the great great grandmother of Margie Starling, who provided much of the Bunch information used herein. James and Alice were found in the 1900 Missouri Census and the 1910 through 1930 Arkansas Censuses. Also, in the 1930 Arkansas Census, James' mother, one Luisie Collins, was living with him and his family. It is apparent that James' mother remarried sometime after he was born.

More About ALICE MARIE BUNCH:
Burial: Lawrence Memorial Park Cemetery, Walnut Ridge, Arkansas

vi. JESSE M. BUNCH, b. March 04, 1877, Shannon County, Missouri; d. October 29, 1912, Shannon County, Missouri. He was 35 when he died.

Notes for JESSE M. BUNCH:ESSE M. BUNCH:
Jesse married Luretta Thomas on May 31, 1899, in Shannon County, Missouri. Luretta was born in Missouri in January 1883. They had at least five children together and they were named Racie, born in Missouri about 1902; Grace, born in Missouri about 1903; Alva, born in Missouri about 1907; Clara, born in Missouri about 1909; and Harrie, born in Missouri about 1913. Jesse apparently died while Luretta was pregnant with Harrie. After Jesse's death in 1912, Luretta would marry Joseph V. Wood on August 5, 1913. Joseph was born in Indiana about 1865 and was considerably older than Luretta. Joseph brought one children into that marriage named Emma E.. Emma was born in Missouri about 1905. Joseph had another known daughter, Della F. Wood, and she would marry Jesse's younger brother Butler Bunch in 1919. Luretta would bring her five children into the marriage as well. Joseph and Luretta would go on to have an additional five children and they were named Stella, born in Missouri about 1915; Nellie, born in Missouri about 1916; Noah, born in Missouri about 1918; Joseph V., Jr, born in Missouri in 1920; and Ray, born in Missouri about 1923.
Jesse is the only person buried in the Bunch Family Cemetery that has a grave stone. None of the at least 11 other grave sites were marked with a marker of any kind until after the year 2000 when stones were placed on the graves of David and Francis Bunch, his parents.

More About JESSE M. BUNCH:
Burial: Bunch Family Cemetery, Shannon County, Missouri

vii. JULIA EMILY BUNCH, b. September 20, 1879, Shannon County, Missouri; d. March 15, 1973, St. Louis, Missouri. She was 93 when she died.

Notes for JULIA EMILY BUNCH:
Julia married John W. Davis on July 3, 1899, in Carter County, Missouri. John was born in Missouri in August 1875. They had at least five children together and their names were Clara E., born in Missouri in April 1900; Ralph, born in Missouri about 1904; Ethel, born in Missouri about 1906; Nellie, born in Missouri about 1909; and Dorthia or Dorthy, born in Missouri about 1914. This John Davis was not related to the Davis family chronicled herein. It has also been suggested that Julia and John divorced at some point in time before 1930, but this fact has never been confirmed.

It should be noted that the 1900 Missouri Census listed Julia's year of birth as 1878 and not the 1879 used herein. The date used herein was obtained from family members and will not be changed. John also appeared with his family in the 1910 and 1920 Missouri Censuses as well.

More About JULIA EMILY BUNCH:
Burial: Mt. Lebonan Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri
Social Security Number: 494-01-3959

viii. JAMES ARTHUR BUNCH, b. September 19, 1881, Shannon County, Missouri; d. May 23, 1922, Shannon County, Missouri. He was 40 when he died.

Notes for JAMES ARTHUR BUNCH:
James, also known as Arthur, married Nettie Tucker on September 5, 1905. Nettie was born in Missouri about 1884. They had at least nine children together and they were named Edgar, born in Missouri about 1906; Ellie or Elsie, born in Missouri about 1908; Nina, born in Missouri about 1909; Arvil, born in Missouri about 1912; Lula, born in Missouri about 1913; Virgie, born in Missouri about 1915; Luke, born in Missouri about 1916; Ruth, born in Missouri about 1918; and Rose, born in Missouri about 1919. Nettie remarried to James F. Eudy Jul. 17, 1925. Mr. Eudy helped raise her children from her marriage to Arthur Bunch. She died in Walla Walla WA.

It should be noted that the 1910 Missouri Census listed Edgar as being born about 1906, however, Edgar's death certificated listed his date of birth as March 12, 1910. This could not be correct and the error has never been explained. Edgar died on August 22, 1910. NOTE: Other sources have a birthdate of Mar. 25, 1906 for Edgar, along with a twin sister, Edna, who died shortly after or at birth, and is buried alongside him at the Bunch Family Graveyard at Jerktail Landing.

On May 23, 1922, James was killed in a fight with one Bob Williams. It was said that the the two had been at odds for several months. Bob Williams was later tried for James' murder and acquitted as it was found during the trial that James had attacked Bob on his land. It was said that James was a larger and more powerful man than Bob. James appeared in both the 1910 and 1920 Missouri Censuses with his family. In the 1920 Missouri Census, Nettie's father, Joseph N. Tucker, born about 1860 in Missouri, was living with James' family as well. NOTE: Nettie was the daughter of Jasper Newton Tucker & Rebecca Martelle Williams. The name Joseph N. is in error.

More About JAMES ARTHUR BUNCH:
Burial: Bunch Family Cemetery, Shannon County, Missouri
Occupation: Sheriff of Shannon County, Missouri

ix. SUSAN BUNCH, b. September 10, 1885, Shannon County, Missouri.

Notes for SUSAN BUNCH:
Susan married John Delmar Faulkner sometime in 1904 or 1905. John was born May 30, 1885, in Washington County, Missouri and died in a Quarry accident on May 17, 1941, in St. Louis, Missouri. They had at lease three children and their names were Eva Marie Faulkner, born in Flat River, Missouri on November 27, 1905; Herbert Lee Faulkner, born in Elvins, Missouri on December 12, 1908 and Ersel Ray Faulkner, born in Elvins, Missouri on May 16, 1910. It is believed that John is the sibling of Philip Bunch's second and third wives, Louisa Adams and Liza Faulkner. Philip is Susan's older brother. It is believed that Susan and John divorced sometime after Ersel was born. John is known to have married a second time to a Mamie Ellen Hughes on September 13, 1914, in St. Francois County, Missouri. They would have at least an additional five children together. None of these children will be identified herein. Susan is believed to have left Missouri at some point after the divorce and moved to Detroit, Michigan. In fact, John's obituary indicated that Eva and Herbert were living in Detroit, Michigan at the time of his death in 1941. Other records indicated that Ersel remained in Missouri and married a woman named Ruth Call on February 15, 1934, in St. Francois County. Eva is believed to have married a man named Chiarmonte in Detroit, Michigan.It is not known if they ever had any children together. Ersel was not listed in his father's obituary and may have died before 1941.
It should be noted that the spelling of John's name used herein was taken from his death certificate, however, his name has also been found spelled Falkner and Fortner. Neither John, Susan or any member of their family could be found in any census except for the 1910 Missouri Census. The information pertaining to their children and events of their later life were obtained from an old family bible and information provided by one of their descendants.

x. FRED BUNCH, b. Abt. 1887, Shannon County, Missouri; d. October 03, 1895, Shannon County, Missouri. He was about 12 when he died.

Notes for FRED BUNCH:
Fred drowned in the Current River when he was 8 years old. This information was obtained from an article that appeared in a local Shannon County newspaper, "The Current Wave", and it was dated October 3, 1895. Also, it is believed that his proper first name may have been Frederick, but this is not known for sure.

More About FRED BUNCH:
Burial: Bunch Family Cemetery, Shannon County, Missouri
Cause of Death: Drowning

xi. BUTLER BUNCH, b. April 10, 1887, Shannon County, Missouri; d. May 1975, Ironton, Missouri. He was 89 when he died.

Notes for BUTLER BUNCH:
Butler married Belle Stringer on April 11, 1907, in Shannon County, Missouri. Belle was born in Missouri about 1888 and died sometime around 1916. They would have at least five children together and their names were Benjamin, born in Missouri about 1908; Lancie or Leland, born in Missouri in 1910; Orda, born in Missouri about 1911; Almarie, born in Missouri about 1914; and Charles, born in Missouri about 1916. After Belle's death, Butler would marry his second and last wife, Della Florence Wood on May 16, 1919, in Shannon County, Missouri. Della was born in Missouri on January 28, 1903 and died of Pneumonia in Shannon County, Missouri on October 22, 1927. It is not known if Butler fathered any children with Della, but it believed that he did not. It should be noted that Della's father had married the widowed wife of Jesse M. Bunch, one Luretta Bunch in 1913. That is possibly how Butler met her. Butler appeared with his family in the 1910 and 1920 Missouri Censuses.

More About BUTLER BUNCH:
Occupation: Over the road Hauler (Lumber)
Social Security Number: 489-18-7538

xii. INFANT BUNCH, b. Bet. 1890 - 1891, Shannon County, Missouri; d. Bet. 1891 - 1892, Shannon County, Missouri.

Notes for INFANT BUNCH:
It is believed that this child died at birth or shortly thereafter. Its identity has never been established, however, it is known from various official records that David and Francis Bunch had a total of 12 children. Also, it is not absolutely certain that this child was born during the stated time frame. This time frame was selected as it was the most likely period of time in which thischild could have been born.

More About INFANT BUNCH:
Burial: Shannon County, Missouri

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