JACOB BUNN , President of the Illinois Watch Factory, Springfield, has for nearly forty years been one of the city's most enterprising and public spirited business men. He was born in Alexandria, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, in 1814; came to Springfield in May, 1836; began business as a grocer July 1, 1840, and continued in that and banking until January, 1878. He was very successful and accumulated a large fortune, but through others, lost heavily and was compelled to make an assignment, turning over his property for the benefit of his creditors. Having been a heavy stockholder in the Watch Factory, and his superior business qualification received recognition in his election to the Presidency of the concern in January, 1879, which position he still fills with signal ability as shown by the marked success of the institution under his management. Mr. Bunn was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Ferguson in Springfield, in 1851. She is a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, but came to Springfield in early youth. They are the parents of four sons and two daughters.