Hunter, Sylvester

HUNTER, JONES, REED, FREE

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Date: 2/17/2003 at 20:08:27

PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF CLINTON COUNTY, IOWA 1886 (CHAPMAN BROS.)
Containing full page portraits & biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county. (Also available on FHL film 1036331 Item 9)
(P. 452) SYLVESTER HUNTER. Prominent in the history of Clinton County are representative men and successful farmers, and among them is the subject of this personal history. He is one of the largest and most extensive stock-breeders of the township in which he lives. His home is situated on section 5 of Deep Creek Township. He was born in Portland County, N. Y., Oct. 3, 1826. He is the son of Robert and Eliza (Jones) Hunter. Robert Hunter was born in Vermont and his wife in New York State, and they were the parents of nine children -- Oziel, Emeline, William, Alpheas, Sophia, Mary, who died at the age of two years; Sylvester and Philo. Edward died at the age of eighteen months.
The subject of this sketch married Miss Ann Eliza Reed, Dec. 25, 1859. She was a native of Washington County, Pa., born Nov. 29, 1842, and was the daughter of Paul and Nancy (Free) Reed, natives of Pennsylvania, who died, she in December, 1878, he Oct. 14, 1856. They were the parents of twelve children, as follows: Jeremiah, Sarah, Joshua, William S., Rebecca, Emily, Samuel P., Ann Eliza, Agnes E., Pernina, Margaret W. and Milo. Mr. Hunter, of this writing, has had ten children, as follows: Robert P., born June 24, 1863; Eliza E., July 3, 1865; Olive B., Oct. 13, 1866; Edward G., Sept. 11, 1868; Earl R., July 11, 1871; Jessie N., Oct. 13, 1873; Annette, Oct. 30, 1875; Sylvester L., Oct. 21, 1877; Jasper L., Oct. 10, 1880; Harry, Aug. 25, 1884. The children now deceased are Eliza E., who died Dec. 4, 1865; Grant, July 3, 1870; Earl, Marach 11, 1872, and Sylvester L., Nov. 14, 1880.
Mr. Hunter has 460 acres of fine land, most of which is under good cultivation. He is a breeder of fine stock, Short-horn cattle and Clydesdale horses. He has two imported horses, as follows: “Waverly,” a magnificent animal, weight 1850 and age five years; he was bred in Scotland by Mr. W. Wylie, of Perth, and imported by Galbraith Bros., of Janesville, Wis. “Endick Bank,” a second stallion foaled in July, 1881, is another handsome animal owned by Mr. Hunter. He was bred by John McQueen of Finnish Blair, Scotland, was imported by Galbraith Bros. in 1882, and his weight is 1600. He is related by Blood to “Topsman,” No. 886, and the latter was a great prize-winner in Scotland. Mr. Hunter has one Short-horn bull of which he is very proud, which bears the name of “Prohibition,” bred by William C. Isaacs, Harwood, Ont. He is one year old, and is of magnificent proportions. He was bought of the Davidson Bros., of Monticello, Iowa, at a high price, and is one of the Cruikshank family.
Mr. Hunter was reared a Congregationalist, and his wife is Methodist in belief; both are earnest disciples of the Lord, and endeavor “to work while the day lasts.” Our subject has shown himself deserving of public trust, and has filled several of the township offices, among them that of Trustee. He came to this State July 3, 1843, and has never ceased in any particular to fight for a livelihood on this wide earth. In politics he is Republican.
A fine lithograph view of Mr. Hunter’s handsome residence and thoroughbred stock is shown on another page of this work.