Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio Lewis Pub. Co., Chicago - 1902 233-235 JAMES M. GUNDER In the death of JAMES MADISON GUNDER, which occurred on the 17th of March, 1901, Crawford county lost one of its valued citizens - one who made the world better for his having lived. Although his life was quietly passed, he day by day faithfully performed the duties that came to him and in his consideration for others added much to the happiness of existence. Especially was he tender and thoughtful of his family and to them his memory remains as a blessed benediction. Mr. GUNDER was born in Marion county, Ohio, December 18, 1841, a son of ABRAHAM and MAGDALENE (YOUNG) GUNDER. They were Pennsylvania Dutch people and removed from the Keystone state to Ohio, locating first in Marion county, whence they afterward went to Wyandot county. The father was a shoemaker by trade, but in this state devoted his energies to farming, and it was upon the homestead farm that JAMES M. GUNDER was reared. He was the seventh in order of birth in a family of nine children, and as the parents were in rather limited financial cir- cumstances the children were early obliged to aid in their own support. He attended the country schools to a limited extent and in later years he read extensively. The knowledge thus gained, added to wide business experience, made him a well informed man, his naturally strong mental- ity enabling him to acquire a broad fund of information. He was, too, a man of liberal ideas, who carefully considered every subject which came up for thought or settlement and his opinions were, therefore, never formed along narrow lines. At the age of fifteen he left his father's home although he aided in the support of the family until he had attained his majority and even after that made frequent remittances to his parents. He first worked as a farm hand and later began farming and stock-raising on his own account. He first operated on the shares, and prospered until he was able to buy eighty acres on section 24, Dallas township. There he settled soon after his marriage, and as he prospered in his undert- takings he purchased additional tracts of land, the first being an adjoining forty acres. About 1889 he bought the forty acres upon which the family residence now stands and to which he then removed, making it his home until he was called to his final rest. Thus at the time of his death he was the owner of a valuable tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres, all of which, with the exception of about five or six acres, he placed under a high state of cultivation. The farm was well improved with good buildings and modern accessories and always indi- cated the careful supervision of Mr. GUNDER, who was neat and thrifty i his farm work and kept everything upon the place in excellent condi- tion. He raised stock, including horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, and also bought and sold stock to a considerable extent. He was a typical farmer, energetic, progressive and capable, and although his health was somewhat impaired for several years prior to his death, he made his farm one of the most attractive and desirable in his part of the country. Mr. GUNDER was twice married. He first wedded Miss EMMA HARRIS, who lived for about six years after their marriage and died, leaving two children: CYNTHA LUEMMA, who died of consumption when twenty-one years of age; and BLANCHE, who became the wife of HERBERT SHAFER, of Wyandot county, Ohio. In 1873 Mr. GUNDER married DORA KYLE, whose birth occurred in Mahoning county, Ohio, but who was reared mostly in Crawford county. Unto the second marriage four children were born: SADIE, the wife of MARTIN McBETH, of Wyandot county; JAMES G., PLUMA and LELA, at home, the son having the management of the farm. Mr. GUNDER took quite an active interest in public affairs and in politics was a stanch Republican, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. For eighteen years, al- though not for a consecutive period, he served as township trustee, rendering most acceptable service. In other ways he capably served the public, being ever ready to aid in the adoption of all measures or assisting in the promotion of all movements calculated to prove of general good. For many years he was a member of the United Brethren church and was an active and consistent Christian. He held office in the church until within a few years of his death, when he resigned on account of his failing strength. He was a kind-hearted man and his domestic tastes led him to find his greatest happiness at his own fire- side in the midst of his family, to whom he left the rich heritage of an untarnished name. ===========================================================================