Julia Adelia (Betts) Hunter (1835-1909)

BETTS, HUNTER, ARRASMITH, DUNTZ

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/31/2017 at 09:09:20

From Nevada Representative June 11, 1909 (page 5)

A Pioneer Woman Laid to Rest

Mrs. Frank Hunter was laid to rest in the Gilbert cemetery June 9, 1909.

Julia Adelia Betts was born in Seneca county, Ohio, May 29, 1835, and died at Ames, Iowa, June 6, 1909 of what is commonly known as "Shaking Palsy." Surviving her are the aged husband, Frank Hunter, three sons, Floradon C., Manfred and Clarence, two daughters, Alice Etta (Mrs. J. A. Arrasmith) and Alma Adelia (Mrs. C. A. Duntz). The oldest son, Francis Marion, died in 1874. She also leaves one brother, J. R. Betts of Bettsville, Ohio, and thirteen grand children.

She was married to Frank Hunter in Seneca county, Nov. 25, 1855. In November 1905, this worthy aged couple, nearly the last leaves on the pioneer tree surrounded by their children, grandchildren, the remnant of old settlers and many new friends, celebrated their golden wedding.

Their wedding trip was in a covered wagon from Ohio to this county where they arrived early in the year 1856, settling on the home farm, then a vast prairie, about five miles north of Ames. Here she did her wifely part in assisting her husband in subduing the wild prairie and acquiring a competence for old age, and reared a respected family of children.

Her early life here was not materially different from that of many pioneer women of the community. They lived a life of toil, of love and of sacrifice. Neighbors were few and far between. Mrs. Hunter never flagged when duty called. The distance was never too great nor the weather too inclement for her to go and administer comfort and aid to the sick and needy. A good Samaritan, she lived respected and died lamented.

The family moved to Ames in 1877 to enjoy a well earned rest from their labor. She was never a very strong woman, and now from all her labor and car she sleeps peacefully, lying down to sleep strong in the faith and hope of a christian woman. She united with the Christian church about twenty years ago, of which she was a faithful adherent, and attendant, until the infirmities of age and disease kept her at home.

The funeral services were conducted from the Christian church in Ames by Rev. J. T. Houser, who spoke from John 16:32.