Sylvester Hunter

HUNTER, JONES, REED, FREE, WRIGHT, HEITT, BURNS, PETERSON

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 8/24/2011 at 15:05:47

History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 2, by James Whitcomb Ellis, 1910. Biographical Sketches

SYLVESTER HUNTER.

Sylvester Hunter, who passed away on the 15th of September, 1891, for many years enjoyed an enviable reputation as a successful farmer and stock raiser and at the time of his death was the owner of four hundred and thirty acres of valuable land in Jackson and Clinton counties. His birth occurred in Cortland county, New York, on the 3d of October, 1826, his parents being Robert and Eliza (Jones) Hunter, who were natives of Vermont and New York, respectively. In July, 1843, the father brought his family to Iowa, taking up his abode on a farm which he purchased in Clinton county. There he carried on his agricultural interests until called to his final rest in August, 1867.

Sylvester Hunter, who obtained his education in the schools of his native state, was a youth of seventeen when he came to Iowa with his parents. He remained with his father until 1852, when he went to California and spent five years prospecting for gold. On returning home in 1857 he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, becoming associated with his father and two brothers. Later the two brothers withdrew from the partnership, but Sylvester Hunter and his father carried on their interests together until the latter's death. At that time our subject bought out the other heirs to the old family homestead and became the sole owner of the property. As his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring energy and capable management, he added to his holdings by additional purchase from time to time until when he passed away his farm comprised four hundred and thirty acres of land in Jackson and Clinton counties, being situated on the county line. In addition to cultivating cereals he also made a specialty of raising thoroughbred Clydesdale horses and shorthorn cattle and was the first man in the county to raise thoroughbred stock. Alert, energetic and enterprising, he won a gratifying measure of success in both his farming and live stock interests and was well known and highly esteemed as a prosperous and respected citizen.

On the 25th of December, 1859, Mr. Hunter was united in marriage to Miss Ann Eliza Reed, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of November, 1842, her parents being Paul and Nancy (Free) Reed, likewise natives of the Keystone state. Paul Reed came to this county in 1855 but died shortly after his arrival. The demise of his wife occurred in Clinton county in 1878. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hunter were born ten children, the record of whom is as follows: Olive Blanche, the wife of Edward Wright, of Preston, Iowa; Jessie May, who is the wife of Frank Heitt, of Boulder county, Colorado; Nettie Belle, who gave her hand in marriage to Bert Burns and resides in Clinton county; Jasper Lenoir, who wedded Miss Minnie Peterson and makes his home in Preston; Harry Alpheus, who resides in Preston with his mother; Robert Paul, who passed away on the 15th of December, 1897; Edward Grant, whose demise occurred on the 3d of July, 1870; Earl Reed, who was called to his final rest on the nth of November, 1882; Eliza Emily, who died December 5, 1865; and Sylvester Leroy, who passed away November 14, 1880.

Politically Mr. Hunter was identified with the republican party and capably served in several township offices, holding the position of trustee for a number of years. He was a consistent member of the Congregational church, in the faith of which he passed away on the 15th of September, 1891. His widow made her home on the farm until 1894, when she built a nice residence in Preston and took up her abode therein. In 1901 she disposed of the farm. She has a wide and favorable acquaintance throughout the community in which she resides, the hospitality of the best homes being cordially extended her.