Governor of Idaho Territory. He enlisted for the Civil War as a Corporal in Company F, 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry, was wounded and captured at Savage Station in 1862, and spent several months in a Richmond prison before being released. After recuperating in the same hospital with two of his brothers who had also been wounded, he served as a Sutler's Clerk. Bunn maintained his membership in the National Guard and eventually attained the rank of Colonel. After the Civil War he entered his brother's woodworking business and became active in Philadelphia politics as a Delegate to numerous state and national Republican conventions, also serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1868 to 1870 and winning election as Philadelphia's Prothonotary and Register of Wills. In 1878 he purchased the "Sunday Transcript" newspaper, of which he became Editor. In 1884 President Arthur appointed him Governor of Idaho Territory. He served until 1885, and helped attain passage of a statehood bill, which did not become law because Arthur's successor Grover Cleveland declined to sign it. Bunn also instituted the "Test Oath", requiring voters to attest that they were not polygamists, which disenfranchised Idaho's Mormons until the denomination banned the practice. He returned to his newspaper after leaving office. Bunn was also an art collector and became a noted after dinner speaker, with many of his speeches being reproduced in pamphlet form.
Governor of Idaho Territory. He enlisted for the Civil War as a Corporal in Company F, 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry, was wounded and captured at Savage Station in 1862, and spent several months in a Richmond prison before being released. After recuperating in the same hospital with two of his brothers who had also been wounded, he served as a Sutler's Clerk. Bunn maintained his membership in the National Guard and eventually attained the rank of Colonel. After the Civil War he entered his brother's woodworking business and became active in Philadelphia politics as a Delegate to numerous state and national Republican conventions, also serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1868 to 1870 and winning election as Philadelphia's Prothonotary and Register of Wills. In 1878 he purchased the "Sunday Transcript" newspaper, of which he became Editor. In 1884 President Arthur appointed him Governor of Idaho Territory. He served until 1885, and helped attain passage of a statehood bill, which did not become law because Arthur's successor Grover Cleveland declined to sign it. Bunn also instituted the "Test Oath", requiring voters to attest that they were not polygamists, which disenfranchised Idaho's Mormons until the denomination banned the practice. He returned to his newspaper after leaving office. Bunn was also an art collector and became a noted after dinner speaker, with many of his speeches being reproduced in pamphlet form.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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