Charles B. Gunnell, a pharmacist of Evanston, whose well appointed drug store is one of the leading commercial establishments of the city, was born on the 4th of February, 1882, in the city where he still makes his home.
    His father, Frank Gunnell, a native of Illinois, came to Wyoming in 1872, when a young lad of seventeen years, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of this section of the state. He was a machinist by trade and followed that business for several years in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad Company. He then took up the profession of engineering and has been in active service with the Union Pacific Railroad since that date. His father, Dr. William Gunnell, was also a pioneer of Evanston, practicing his profession among the early settlers, he and Dr. F. H. Harrison being the two first physicians of the city. He was a Civil war veteran, having served at the front during the hostilities between the north and the south with an Illinois regiment, holding the rank of quartermaster sergeant. In tracing the ancestral history of the family it is learned that representatives of the Gunnells settled in Illinois in pioneer times and previous to that were residents of Pennsylvania. In fact, the family was established on American soil previous to the Revolutionary war, in which some of the ancestors of Charles B. Gunnell participated. Wherever the family have lived they have taken active part in public affairs and have at all times stood for progress and improvement, ever manifesting public-spirited citizenship.
    The father of Charles B. Gunnell was a member of the state legislature of Wyoming, serving during the years 1913 and 1914. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party, of which he is a stanch advocate. His father, Dr. Gunnell, passed away in 1880 at the age of seventy years and was laid to rest in the Evanston cemetery. The mother of Charles B. Gunnell bore the maiden name of Delia Sturgis and was born in Salt Lake City, her parents being pioneer settlers of that place. Mrs. Gunnell was reared and educated there and by her marriage became the mother of three children, of whom Charles B. is the eldest, the others being: Minnie, now the wife of H. M. Lewis, a resident of Evanston; and Harold, who also makes his home in Evanston.
    In the attainment of his education Charles B. Gunnell pursued his studies in the schools of his native city and in preparation for his professional career entered the Northwestern University at Chicago, Illinois, from which he was graduated with the class of 1902, winning the Ph. G. degree. Following his graduation he returned to Evanston and entered business on his own account. He started with a small stock of drugs and druggists' sundries but has developed his trade to its present extensive proportions. He has today one of the largest pharmacies in his section of the state and his business is continually growing. It is the oldest business in continuous existence in this line in Evanston and from the beginning his trade has constantly increased, his success being due to his earnest efforts to please his patrons, his reasonable prices and his straightforward dealing.
    On the 20th of September, 1909, in Evanston, Mr. Gunnell was united in marriage to Miss Emily H. Isberg, who was born at Medicine Bow, Wyoming, her parents being pioneer settlers of this section of the state. Her brother, William H. Isberg, was the first white male child born at Medicine Bow. Mr. and Mrs. Gunnell have become the parents of one child, Francis B.
    The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Gunnell is that of the Episcopal church, to the teachings of which they loyally adhere. He is also well known in Masonic circles, having attained the Knight Templar degree in the Albert Pike Commandery, and he is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political endorsement has always been given to the republican party and he served for six years as a member of the state board of pharmacy through appointment of Governor Brooks. He has never been an aspirant for office in the usual sense, however, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs, which have been wisely and carefully directed and have brought to him a substantial measure of success. He is a man of substantial worth–an opinion endorsed by all of his fellow townsmen, who entertain for him the warmest regard by reason of his well spent life, his business enterprise, his loyalty in citizenship and his devotion to the ties of friendship.