Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Rhodes William Bunnel, M. D.
Rhodes William Bunnel, M. D. , eldest son of Dr. William W. and Olinda (Ball) Bnnnel, was born Dec. 4, 1825, in Clay Township, Wayne Co., Ind. His father was born near Maysville, Ky., in 1795, and when fourteen years old removed with his parents to Warren County, Ohio. He was married in August, 1822, to Olinda Ball, who was born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1800, a daughter of Calvin and Christina (Eulas) Ball. They reared a family of five children — Monimia, Rhodes W., Julia A., Horace M. and Eulas S. Monimia and Horace are deceased.
Dr. William W. Bunnel received a liberal education, graduating from the Ohio Medical College, and soon after his marriage began the practice of his profession in Washington, Wayne Co., Ind. Mrs. Bunnel aided him by teaching school in the village of Washington. Dr. Bunnel was the leading physician of the township till his death. He died from cholera in 1852. His widow snrvived him till 1872.
Our subject, Rhodes W., was reared in Washington, Wayne County, where he received his early education. He read medicine under his father, and graduated from the Ohio Medical College in 1848. He immediately began to practice medicine in Dalton, Wayne County, in partnership with Dr. Dickey where he remained one year. From 1850 till 1852 he was engaged in gold mining in California, when he returned to Washington, Ind., where he has since been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession.
Nov. 31, 1861, he was married to Jane L., daughter of Newton and Emily (Pease) Looiner. Five children have been born to them — Newton L., of the State University, Bloomington, Ind.; Monimia J., Chauncey R., Larone A., and a son who died in infancy. Dr. Bunnel ia a charter member of Acacia Lodge, No. 242, A. F. & A. M., Washington, Ind., and has been Master of the lodge nearly all of the time since its organization. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.
Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2