My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS A. BUNBURY. In the ages past little or no attention was given to the treatment of the diseases of animals, but with the ever-advancing civilization a wonderful change has been wrought in this department of activity, and at the present time stock-raisers invariably secure the best medical attention for their horses and cattle. Among the people of southwestern Michigan there is no veterinary surgeon whose reputation for skill and success is more firmly established than that of Dr. Bunbury. His infirmary and office are located at Nos, 129, 131 and 133 South Second Street, Niles, in one of the most picturesque and attractive parts of the city.

In Cass County, Mich., near the Berrien County line, the subject of this sketch was born on the 9th of December, 1845. He is of Irish parentage, his father, Edward Bunbury, having been born in the Emerald Isle, while his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Kelly, was born in Quebec, Canada, of Irish parentage. She accompanied her parents to Berrien County when a small child and grew to womanhood here. The father of our subject accompanied his brothers, Matthew and James, to America. He located first in Kalamazoo, Mich., and removed thence to Berrien County, securing employment here on the Michigan Central Railroad. In 1852 he embarked in the livery business and conducted a profitable trade until his death, which occurred February 10, 1876, at the age of fifty-nine years. His widow is still living and makes her home with one of her daughters, Mrs. Maggie Blain, residing near Osage City, Kan.

Thomas A. Bunbury received his education in the union school of Niles, and the knowledge there gained was afterward supplemented by a thorough course of study in Notre Dame University, at Notre Dame, Ind. Upon leaving college he entered his father’s employ, his special work being the care of sick horses, not only those belonging to the stables but also to the people living in Niles. From necessity he was obliged to begin the study of medicine and the anatomy of the horse, and soon acquired a thorough knowledge of the profession. After his father’s death he commenced in business for himself, fitting up a barn for the care and treatment of all kinds of diseases and ailments of horses, and his business grew so that he acquired a widespread reputation for skill and proficiency. He is often called to other parts of the State in consultation and for the purpose of treating difficult cases, so that he has quite a large circuit in his profession. In almost every case he has met with success. His ready practice in handling horses secures to him superior advantages as a veterinary surgeon.

In 1872 Dr. Bunbury married Miss Anna Machin, of Bertrand, Niles Township, Berrien County, and the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Anslow) Machin, early settlers of this township. Dr. and Mrs. Runbury have four children: Mary, Sarah, Edward and Florence. In his political opinions, our subject is a stanch Democrat and always gives his influence to the candidates of his chosen party. Twice he was elected to the position of Treasurer of Niles, and his service in that important office was perfectly satisfactory, he is a member of St. Joseph Lodge No. 281, A.F. & A. M., of which he is one of the charter members, and a charter member of the Maccabees’ Lodge, Niles Tent.