from The History of Hendricks County (Indianapolis: B.F. Bowen & Co., 1914)--pages 440-442
That the plenitude of satiety is seldom attained in the affairs of life is to be considered a most beneficial deprivation, for where ambition is satisfied and every ultimate end realized, if such be possible, apathy must follow. Effort would cease, accomplishment be prostrate, and creative talent waste its energies in inactivity. The men who have pushed forward the wheels of progress have been those to whom satisfaction lies ever in the future, who have labored continuously, always finding in each transition stage an incentive for further effort. Mr. Bunten is one who well-directed efforts have gained for him a position of desirable prominence in the agricultural circles of Hendricks County, and his energy and enterprise have been crowned by a gratifying degree of success.
John H. Bunten, Jr., one of the most prominent stock breeders in central Indiana, was born September 2, 1869, in the township where he has resided all his life. His parents were John and Rebecca (Call) Bunten, his father being a native of Kentucky, coming to this county with his parents when he was five years of age. John Bunten, Sr., was born in 1818, and when his parents came to Marion Township, this county, in 1823, his father, William Bunten, entered six hundred and forty acres of land from the government, where John H. now lives. John Bunten, Sr., married Rebecca Call, the daughter of John and Julia Call, who also were natives of Kentucky. They came to this township early in its history and entered a large tract of land here. John Bunten, Sr., died in 1895, and his wife passed away at the age of eighty. They reared a family of twelve children, eight of whom are still living: Mrs. Anna M. Wright; Laura B.; Elmer, deceased; Oliver M., deceased; John H., the immediate subject of this sketch; Nora M., deceased; Thomas O., deceased; Edgar, deceased; Alice R.; Obediah; Roscoe G., and one who died in infancy. Laura B. Bunten is a successful breeder of pure-bred Buff Rock and Buff Orpington chickens.
John H. Bunten has never married and now lives with his sister, Laura B., on the old homestead farm. He received his common school education in the district schools of Hendricks County, and ha spent his entire life on the farm where he was born. He has made a fine reputation as a breeder of fine live stock and makes a specialty of Poland-China hogs, handling only the best and purest breeds. He also handles Shropshire sheep and keeps his herd to a high state of efficiency. For several years he also kept pedigreed Shorthorn cattle, but recently disposed of his herd and now deals only in hogs and sheep. He has yearly sales for his stock, at which there are large crowds of buyers present and high prices are paid for his stock. He advertises his sales widely and thus brings together prominent buyers from all parts of the state, who are anxious to secure some of his well bred stock. Mr. Bunten is considered an expert judge of hogs and is a member of the National Association of Poland-China Breeders. On his farm of two hundred acres he raises considerable grain and other crops, but his main attention is devoted to live stock.
Mr. Bunten is Republican in politics, but has never taken an active interest in the affairs of his party. He has never felt inclined to indulge in the various political fights which feature campaigns, preferring to devote his attention to his live stock and other interests. He is well known throughout the county and is regarded everywhere as a man of his word and one whose integrity is never questioned in the slightest degree. He is a quiet, unassuming and genial man and has many warm personal friends throughout the county. His sister, who lives with him, is also interested in the success of her brother and has contributed in no small measure to his success. They are very hospitable people and are highly esteemed by every one in their neighborhood.