264 THE PORTRAIT GALLERY 



A FINANCIAL FRIEND OF THE SHOWYARD 



102. The destinies of improved Illinois agriculture were 

 directed from the late 50's until almost the beginning of this 

 century, by as strong a triumvirate of farmers as has been 

 known in any state in America. These men were Colonel 

 James W. Judy (104), Hon. Lafayette Funk (103) and Mr. 

 John W. Bunn. Of the three men, Mr. Funk contributed some- 

 thing of a general farming experience, CoL. Judy something of 

 the interests of purebred livestock, and JOHN W. BuNN some- 

 thing of the business and clerical instincts, necessary for the 

 strong organization and functioning of a living pregnant insti- 

 tution. 



Mr. Bunn was born in Hunterton Co., New Jersey, June 30, 

 1831. At nine years of age he was brought to Springfield, 

 Illinois, by his parents, who emigrated across the waters and 

 plains of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys. His education was 

 received in the public schools of Illinois, but he early mani- 

 fested an interest in business affairs and business methods, and 

 like many other young men of the growing country, partici- 

 pated in local politics. In 1859 he was appointed treasurer 

 of the State Board of Agriculture, a position he held unremit- 

 tingly for thirty-nine years. He had acquired previous to this 

 time, title to some excellent farming land in the vicinity of 

 Springfield, but in March, 1867, he was appointed treasurer 

 of the University of Illinois at Champaign. This effectively 

 overruled such desires as he may have had to have pursued 

 farm operations personally, and during the next three decades, 

 he devoted all of his energy to public affairs. 



In 1878 the initial American Fat Stock Show was held under 

 the auspices of the Illinois State Board of Agriculture in the 

 old Exposition building on the Lake Front, where the Art Insti- 

 tute now stands, and Mr. Bunn acted as treasurer for a number 

 of years. Mr. Bunn won a home in the hearts of the exhibitors 



