Hunter, Robert G.

HUNTER, GEORGE, CRAWFORD, ADDENDER

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 5/26/2021 at 12:06:42

Robert G. Hunter resides upon section 7, Dutch Creek Township, and engages in farming and stock-raising. He is a native of Ohio, born in Carroll County, Sept. 6, 1822, and is the son of John and Mary (George) Hunter, who were natives of Ireland and the parents of nine children, all being deceased with the exception of David, a resident of Bloomington, Ind., Mary Ann, wife of Frank Downey, a farmer residing in Jackson County, Ohio, and Robert G.

The father of Robert died when he was about four years of age. He then made his home with a cousin, William Kelly, in Jefferson County, Ohio. He was there reared on a farm, and from time to time attended the district schools of that county. At the age of eighteen he apprenticed himself to the wagon-maker’s trade, and followed that together with farming, making his home with Mr. Kelly until he was married, in 1847, to Margaret Crawford, a daughter of James and Margaret (Addender) Crawford, who were also natives of Ireland, the former coming from County Donegal, and the latter from County Derry. Mrs. Hunter was born Sept. 22, 1818, and was the sixth in a family of seven children. Nancy is deceased; Matthew died in this county; Mary, widow of David Stevenson, resides in Hubbard, Ohio; Ann, wife of Robert Lee, resides in Columbia County, Ohio; James, deceased; Lillie, deceased, wife of William Seeton.

In the spring of 1855, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter came to Burlington, Iowa, by water, and then by teams to Washington County. A brother of Mrs. Hunter came to this county about 1849, which probably was one inducement for them to make this their home. In the fall of 1855, Mr. Hunter entered 200 acres of land, where he has since passed his busy life in making a home for himself and family. In 1863, he met with a misfortune, losing his right arm in an accident in a sawmill. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have had nine children: The first died in infancy; Margaret J. was born Feb. 5, 1849, and is now living in Greeley County, Kan.; James C., born Nov. 5, 1851, is in charge of the home farm; Mary, born July 24, 1855, was to have been married at 2 o’clock on the 20th day of November, 1872, to Patterson George, but died about two hours before that time. She was a devoted member of the United Presbyterian congregation of Pleasant Valley, uniting at the age of fifteen. She was a sincere, humble and devoted Christian. She was the light and joy of the family, a successful educator in the public schools, and for many years a teacher of the infant class in the Sabbath-school. Suitable resolutions were passed by the school on her death. Vilty, born Jan. 15, 1851, is the wife of Daniel Roher, a farmer in Washington Township, this county; Christian, born July 24, 1858, resides at home; William K., born Nov. 15, 1862, is a farmer residing in Greeley County, Kan.; Ella May, born Oct. 22, 1865, is residing at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have given each of their children a good education and provided for them as best they could. They can now look back on a life well spent, and forward to a bright future. They are both members of the United Presbyterian Church, the children also being members of the same church. William K. united with the Church at a very early age, and for some years was a teacher in the Sabbath-school. On his removal to Greeley County, Kan., he was greatly missed by the school. In all church work, and all moral enterprises, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter take an active part, at all times doing what they can for the public good. They are both greatly esteemed for their many excellent traits of character.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Robert G. Hunter, pages 534, 537.