RALPH N HUNTER, b 13 May 1813

HUNTER, SLOAN, DENNISTON, MILLER, DAVIS, WHITNEY, NICKERSON, HANNAH

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 6/5/2004 at 08:28:24

Ralph N. Hunter, a venerable and venerated citizen of South Fork Township, cast his lot with the pioneers of Jackson County thirty-five years ago, and has been closely connected with its agricultural interests ever since. He owns and occupies a beautiful, well-tilled and highly productive farm on section 32, and here he and his wife are spending the declining years of a well-filled life in the enjoyments of the comforts of one of the coziest homes in the locality, which has been built up by their united toil.

Mr. Hunter was born in Beaver County, Pa., May 13, 1813. His father, William Hunter, was a native of the same State, born in Westmoreland County, and was there reared and married, Mary Sloan, a native of Armstrong County, becoming his wife. After marriage they moved to Beaver County, and were among its first settlers, Mr. Hunter taking up a tract of forest-covered land, on which he built a log house, in which humble abode our subject first opened his eyes to the light of day. Mr. Hunter improved a part of the land, and lived on it a few years, and then sold it and bought another tract in the same county. In 1835 he made another move with his family, and became a resident of Mercer County, buying a farm in Springfield Township, and there he spent the remainder of his days, his wife also dying on the old homestead. There were nine children born to them, of whom the following eight grew to maturity: Nancy, Joseph, Mary, Sarah, James, Rebecca, Ralph, and Elizabeth.

The subject of this biographical review was reared in his native county, and remembers well the incidents of his early life amid the pioneer scenes that surounded the home of his childhood. In those days of the early settlement of Beaver County, Pittsburg was the nearest market for some years. Mr. Hunter removed to Mercer County with his parents, and resided with them until their death, having charge of the home farm after he had grown to manood. In 1854 he sold his property there, having decided to try life in the West, and came to Iowa, the removal being made by the way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Bellevue, and thence by team to South Fork Township. He rented land for a time until he could find a suitable location, and finally invested his money on his present farm on section 32. The country roundabout was far from presenting the cultivated, civilized appearance of to-day, settlements were few and scattering, there were no railways, and the nearest markets were at the river towns.

Fifty-one years ago, March 29, 1838, Mr. Hunter and Miss Sarah Denniston were united in marriage, and thus for over half a century, through sunshine and shadow, they have journeyed hand in hand the path of life together, and they have been true to each other and to the obligations imposed upon them in their relation to others. Their kind hearts and friendly and charitable deeds have made them many warm friends since they came to make their home in this community, and they are regarded with respect and affection by whomsoever known. Their serene and happy wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of eight children, of whom the following is recorded: Aymer S. married Margaret Miller, and they live in South Fork; Nancy R. married Thomas Davis, and they live in Harden County; Emma J. married Oliver Whitney, and they live in Clinton County; Orlando C. married Annis Nickerson, and they live in Anamosa; Charlotte A. is a teacher in the public schools. Mr. Hunter has always manifested a warm interest in his adopted township, and never hesitates to give substantial aid in forwarding plans for its improvement. He takes an intelligent view of political affairs, and is a stalwart supporter of the Democratic party.

We cannot close this review of the life of our subject without further reference to that of Mrs. Hunter. She was born six miles from the town of Mercer, in Mercer County, Pa., April 1, 1818. Her father, Alexander Denniston, was a native of Ireland, as was his father, Edward Denniston, who is supposed to have spent his last years in that country. His widow came to America, accompanied by her three sons and four daughters, the names of the sons, Andrew, William, and Alexander. The family first settled in Washington County, and later moved to Mercer County, where the mother spent her last years. Mrs. Hunter's father was about seven years old when he came to America with his mother, and he was reared to manood in the Pennsylvania home. He served in the War of 1812, and was an early settler of Mercer County, Pa., where he bought a tract of timbered land. He first built a log house, the one in which Mrs. Hunter was born, and resided in that county until 1854. In that year he sold his farm and came to Jackson County, and located in South Fork Township. He bought a tract of land on which there was a log house and stable. He was in poor health when he came here, and died a few days after his arrival, and all that is mortal of him lies buried in Buckhorn Cemetary. His wife spent her last years with her children in this township. Her maiden name was Nancy Hannah, and she was born in Berks County, Pa. Her father, Edward Hannah, was a native of Ireland, who, emigrating to the United States, settled in Berks County, and later in Mercer County. He was a prosperous farmer and owned a large farm, and there died. One son, William O., died in Davenport, Iowa, while a soldier in the late war. James A. died at the home of his parents in South Fork at the age of twenty-four years; and a daughter died in infancy.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)