Hunter, William A. 1845-1906

HUNTER, MILLER, PECK

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 2/15/2005 at 09:34:30

The last funeral rites for the late W. A. Hunter were held from his brother, G. B. Hunter’s home yesterday afternoon, where many friends gathered and many who could not be present paid tribute to his memory with beautiful flowers. The simple burial service of the Episcopal Church was used and then Rev. Felix Pickworth, chaplain of state penitentiary at Anamosa, gave the following address.

“Deeds, not words,” might have been the motto chosen at the threshold of life by our departed friend, whom we learned to know and love as Warden Hunter. It cannot be said of him that he was a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.

He lives in the work he accomplished and his memory will be cherished in the heart of many a man supposed to be callous and impervious to good influences.

It is difficult to speak in a few words of the character and work of one who filled his days with labor, and his hours with thoughts, for the uplifting and comfort of others. Out of the fullness of the heart the mouth could utter many words appreciative of him whose days are now numbered. The hour demands brevity.

William Adams Hunter was born July 8, 1845, at Carrolton, Ohio. He was the youngest of six children, two of whom survive him, Mrs. Miller and Mr. George Hunter, both of this city, to which place the family had removed in 1857.

When the war broke out, Mr. Hunter, then a boy of sixteen, joined the 13th Iowa, Co. B., as a drummer boy. (This company was afterward known as the famous Crocker Brigade.) But life as drummer boy was not thrilling enough for the enthusiastic and patriotic spirit of a lad and after the Battle of Shiloh, he went into more active service. As a private in the ranks he was with this brigade in the advance to Corinth, Miss., in the engagements at Bolivar, Tenn., Iuka, Miss., and Corinth. He followed Price into Mississippi, marched on to Memphis, Tenn., thence by boat to Young’s Point, took part in the Siege of Vicksburg, then on to Meridian and back to Vicksburg. After a thirty days’ furlough he was with his brigade again at Cairo, Ill., from which place he went into Tennessee and Georgia. He was one of the brave and noble men who accompanied Sherman in his march “from Atlanta to the sea.” He took part in the grand review at Washington, where he received his honorable discharge. Many of these scenes of four strenuous years were lived over again during the later weeks of his distressing illness.

Upon his discharge form the army Mr. Hunter returned home, and soon afterwards entered Grinnell College, where he remained two years; the following tow years he traveled. From 1869 to 1874 he located at Fort Dodge, then at Newton till 1879, and at Belle Plaine till 1898. In the latter city he served as postmaster for many years. From Belle Plaine he removed to Anamosa to take charge of the state penitentiary, over which he so faithfully and so efficiently presided until he received the imperious summons, which knows no denial.

Four years ago Mr. Hunter’s condition revealed diabetic symptoms and he was warned by the prison physician of the danger and was recommended immediate and complete rest. But Mr. Hunter felt he could not spare the time from his duties and continued at his post until the progress of the disease made rest imperative. It was then too late; the incessant mental and physical strain culminated twenty minutes before nine on Sunday evening last, September 30, when he passed to his eternal rest.

In 1871 Mr. Hunter married Miss Amanda Peck, at Bethlehem, Conn. To them were born one son and one daughter. The son died in 1886; the daughter, Mary Brown Hunter, and her mother survive.

Mr. Hunter was a member of the G. A. R. and of the Knights of Pythias.

At this point Chaplain Pickworth spoke of Mr. Hunter’s work as warden of the state penitentiary, how he proved to be peculiarly fitted for his position. In his readiness and ability to grapple with business details and his tactful and pleasant manner of controlling so large a body of men, which resulted in a wise and beneficial administration, winning for himself the approbation and entire confidence of the Board of Control, of the foremost thinking men of his day, and those who knew him best until he was considered one of the ablest and grandest wardens in the United States, a leader among penologists and his opinions were eagerly sought in the councils of his brethren. He worked out his plans with self-reliance and patient pains taking perseverance. His schemes found a ready, loyal and noble sympathizer in his faithful companion, known to the inmates as “The Prisoner’s Friend” and also in the talented, eloquent and Christly woman, “The Little Mother” and in the venerable, large-hearted philanthropist, “Father Coffin.”

Chaplain Pickworth closed with the following:
When a full sense of love comes to your hearts do not be disposed to think God is dealing harshly with you, but remember that sorrow and submission must go together if God is to reign. It is he who “Bringeth down to the grave,” and “who bringeth up.”

The music was furnished by the St. Stephen’s Quartette. The burial chant, the familiar hymn, “Abide with me” and by request, “I’m a Pilgrim,” were used.

The bearers were Senator F. L. Maytag, A. M. Hough, Ralph Pamenter, David Stover, F. M. Taylor, C. P. Axtell, V. W. Skiff and H. M. Cox. ~ The Newton Daily News, Saturday, October 6, 1906, Page 1, Column 3