Mr. M. A. Bundy made a most creditable record as mayor of Bentonville and in business connections became well known as a successful oil operator and also conducted real estate and automobile interests. His plans were carefully formulated and promptly executed, for he was a man of determined purpose who carried forward to a successful termination whatever he undertook. He was a native of Missouri, his birth having occurred at Hartville, in 1864. His parents were Rev. S. G. and Camelia (Knapp) Bundy. His father served in the Civil War, going with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea and participating in many notable engagements, his service covering a period of four years.
After the war, in the Lone Star state, M. A. Bundy acquired his education and went to work for the railroads for twenty-five years. For thirteen years he acted as general agent for the Fort Worth & Denver Railroad Company at Wichita Falls, Texas, witnessing the rapid development of the town and taking a prominent part in public affairs of that locality, acting as police and fire commissioner and also serving for a number of years as a member of the school board. In 1918 he left the service of the railroad and entered the oil field, in which he was very successful, becoming the first president of the Texas Petroleum Refiners' Association, of which all of the refineries in the state were members. While there residing he became a charter member of the Rotary Club and he also joined the blue lodge of Masons and the Knights of Pythias.
In 1919 he arrived in Bentonville and engaged in the automobile business, having the agency for the Chandler and Cleveland cars. He also dealt in real estate and built up a business of substantial proportions in both lines of activity, for he possesses marked executive ability, keen discernment and enterprise, which are essential elements in the attainment of success. He became the owner of two well improved farms in Benton County, one of which was devoted to the raising of fruit.
On the 27th of March, 1900, Mr. Bundy was united in marriage to Miss Emma Craycroft, a native of Sedalia, Missouri, and they became the parents to three children.
Mr. Bundy was an earnest and faithful member of the Christian Church and while a resident of Wichita Falls, Texas, was active in religious affairs, serving as chairman of the church board from 1919 until he moved to Bentonville in 1920. In politics he was a democrat with independent views and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, elected him to the mayoralty on the December 30, 1920, just one year after his arrival here. Their faith in him was amply justified, for he gave to the town a businesslike and progressive administration, his influence being ever on the side of advancement and improvement. During the first World War he was chairman of the Home Service committee and was also active in Red Cross work, serving as chairman of the Benton County Chapter of that organization.
Mr. Bundy deserved much credit for what he accomplished in a business way, for he started out in life empty-handed and worked his way steadily upward by persistent energy and unfaltering enterprise. He ever directed his business by the rules which govern strict integrity, and his history proves that success and an honored name be won simultaneously.
Adapted from: Centennial History of Arkansas - 1922
After the war, in the Lone Star state, M. A. Bundy acquired his education and went to work for the railroads for twenty-five years. For thirteen years he acted as general agent for the Fort Worth & Denver Railroad Company at Wichita Falls, Texas, witnessing the rapid development of the town and taking a prominent part in public affairs of that locality, acting as police and fire commissioner and also serving for a number of years as a member of the school board. In 1918 he left the service of the railroad and entered the oil field, in which he was very successful, becoming the first president of the Texas Petroleum Refiners' Association, of which all of the refineries in the state were members. While there residing he became a charter member of the Rotary Club and he also joined the blue lodge of Masons and the Knights of Pythias.
In 1919 he arrived in Bentonville and engaged in the automobile business, having the agency for the Chandler and Cleveland cars. He also dealt in real estate and built up a business of substantial proportions in both lines of activity, for he possesses marked executive ability, keen discernment and enterprise, which are essential elements in the attainment of success. He became the owner of two well improved farms in Benton County, one of which was devoted to the raising of fruit.
On the 27th of March, 1900, Mr. Bundy was united in marriage to Miss Emma Craycroft, a native of Sedalia, Missouri, and they became the parents to three children.
Mr. Bundy was an earnest and faithful member of the Christian Church and while a resident of Wichita Falls, Texas, was active in religious affairs, serving as chairman of the church board from 1919 until he moved to Bentonville in 1920. In politics he was a democrat with independent views and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, elected him to the mayoralty on the December 30, 1920, just one year after his arrival here. Their faith in him was amply justified, for he gave to the town a businesslike and progressive administration, his influence being ever on the side of advancement and improvement. During the first World War he was chairman of the Home Service committee and was also active in Red Cross work, serving as chairman of the Benton County Chapter of that organization.
Mr. Bundy deserved much credit for what he accomplished in a business way, for he started out in life empty-handed and worked his way steadily upward by persistent energy and unfaltering enterprise. He ever directed his business by the rules which govern strict integrity, and his history proves that success and an honored name be won simultaneously.
Adapted from: Centennial History of Arkansas - 1922