Edward Bunker (Mormon) facts for kids

Edward Bunker (August 1, 1822 – November 17, 1901) was a brave Mormon pioneer. He helped start new communities. One famous place he founded is Bunkerville, Nevada.

Edward Bunker's Early Life

Edward Bunker was born on August 1, 1822. His hometown was Atkinson, Maine. He was the youngest of nine children. His parents were Silas and Hannah Berry Bunker.

In the fall of 1841, Edward was a teenager. He decided to explore new places. He traveled with his brother-in-law, John Berry. They planned to visit Wisconsin to "see the country."

Discovering Mormonism

Edward and John did not reach Wisconsin that winter. Rivers and lakes froze by the time they got to Ohio. So, they decided to visit a friend in Kirtland, Ohio. There, they met a man named Martin Harris.

Both John and Edward read the Book of Mormon. They also read A Voice of Warning by Parley P. Pratt. John later visited family in Pittsburgh. Edward stayed in nearby Cleveland. He attended meetings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He was baptized in April 1845.

In the spring, Edward and John finally made it to Wisconsin. But they soon left for Nauvoo, Illinois. They had a letter to meet apostle George A. Smith.

Life in Nauvoo and Iowa

Edward arrived in Nauvoo almost a year after Joseph Smith's death. At this time, the Latter Day Saints were getting ready to leave Nauvoo. Edward worked for a short time in Montrose, Iowa. This town was across the river. There, he met Emily Abbott.

Edward and Emily got married in Nauvoo in February 1846. This was just before the pioneers started their long journey across Iowa.

Building a New Home

Edward and Emily soon left Nauvoo. They traveled halfway across Iowa. They helped start a settlement called Garden Grove. Edward and a friend built a simple one-room log cabin. They moved their wives into it.

Edward then went to Missouri. He wanted to earn money there. His goal was to buy a team of animals, a wagon, and supplies for their journey.

Joining the Mormon Battalion

While in Missouri, Edward heard an important call. Volunteers were needed to form the Mormon Battalion. He quickly returned to Garden Grove. Edward was one of the first to volunteer for this group.

A Long March West

The Battalion marched a very long way. They traveled to Santa Fe, Tucson, and San Diego. Finally, they reached Los Angeles. Edward finished his six months of duty there. He was discharged in July 1847.

Edward then traveled north with other Battalion members. They went to Sutter's Mill, where gold was later discovered. Then they headed to Salt Lake City. He arrived there on October 16, 1847. They stayed only a short time. Then they set out for Winter Quarters, Nebraska. They wanted to rejoin their families.

A Difficult Journey Home

Their journey back was very hard. They had left late in the season. The Platte River was frozen. They had to eat rawhide saddles to survive. They even ate a mule that fell through the ice. Finally, they reached Winter Quarters on December 18. Edward stayed with friends that night. He didn't know Emily and their son had moved nearby.

Edward Bunker, the Pioneer Leader

Edward moved his family to Missouri to earn money. Then they went to Mosquito Creek in Iowa. There, he grew corn. He bought a team and wagon for his family. In 1849, they traveled west with his mother-in-law and her two sons.

They settled in Ogden, Utah Territory. Edward served on the first Weber Stake High Council for the LDS Church. He also served on Ogden's first city council.

Serving Missions and Leading Companies

Edward was called to serve a mission in England in 1852. He led church meetings in places like Bristol, Sheffield, Bradford, Lincolnshire, and Scotland.

On his way home from his mission, Edward led a handcart company. They traveled to the Salt Lake Valley in 1856. They arrived just before winter began. This early winter trapped other handcart companies in Wyoming.

Edward returned to Ogden. He served as a bishop there for several years.

Founding New Settlements

Edward pioneered again in Santa Clara, Utah. This was a very challenging place to settle. Floods from the Virgin River and Santa Clara River often washed away their homes. They also faced extreme heat and drought. He served as the bishop in Santa Clara for 12 years.

Edward then moved his large family about 25 miles southwest. He went to Bunkerville. He did this on his own idea, but with permission from Brigham Young. The people in Bunkerville, named by Brigham Young, shared their work. They also shared what they produced. All the land was held in common.

By 1900, Edward had become a patriarch in the church.

In October 1901, Edward was 79 years old. He went to help start a new Mormon colony. This colony was in Colonia Morelos, Sonora, Mexico. He passed away there on November 17, 1901.