HUNTER, James, 1840-1918

HUNTER, DAVISON, LINDSAY

Posted By: Betty Hootman-Volunteer
Date: 2/26/2013 at 10:09:41

Rev. James Hunter Dead

The following obituary was taken from a Paola, Kansas paper. Rev. Hunter will be remembered as pastor of the Birmingham Methodist church during the years 1878-79 and filled other appointment in the Iowa conference. S. E. Lindsay and sister, Anna Lindsay of this place, and Mrs. Will Findley of Kansas City, Mo, attended the funeral.

James Hunter was born May 11, 1840, in the village of Dubeh, country Autrim, Ireland, and departed this life in great peace with God, and the world of mankind, August 3, 1918.

From a small diary kept by him in early life, we have some glimpses of the activities of his young life.

When but seventeen years of age he left Ireland, coming to New York on an old sailing vessel, which was more than six weeks making the voyage. In New York he found employment at a very modest wage, working during the day and at night attending the Peter Cooper night school, where he acquired a fairly liberal education, for on his return to Ireland, some three years later, we find him engaged as a teacher in Edendary. After this he took special training and taught for several years.

In 1865 he was united in marriage to Rebecca Davison. To this union three children were born, the eldest dying in infancy, while Samuel J. and James Alexander survive him. February 15, 1907, Rebecca Hunter died after serving as the wife of an itinerate preacher more than twenty-five years.

While Brother Hunter began his ministry in Ireland, the most of it was spent in this country. In September, 1878, he entered the traveling connection in the Iowa conference, holding some of the important stations.

In 1884, when the South Kansas conference was holding its annual session in Paola, Brother Hunter was present, and at that time was transferred to the South Kansas conference and stationed in Greeley, Kansas. While in the effective work in the South Kansas conference he served the following charges: Greeley, Lane, Haskell, Neodosha, Waverly, Amerious, Iola, Pleasanton and Fulton.

Owing to his wife’s failing health in 1898, he asked for at the hands of the conference and was granted the superannuated relation. He then moved on his little farm near Greeley, where he lived for several years. While living the life of a farmer he preached often for his brethren, always rendering valuable service.

March 29, 1908, he was married to Miss Mary E. Lindsay at Birmingham, Iowa, who for the past eleven years has been a helpmeet[sic] indeed. Some six years ago he and his wife moved to Paola, where they have since lived endearing themselves to a great number of peeple[sic]. Brother Hunter during these years was much in demand in the community for weddings, funerals and special sermons. His last sermon was at a memorial sermon, preached at Pleasant Valley. He was a good preacher and an appreciative listener to the sermons of other men. He will be missed now that his seat is empty.

His sickness was not of long duration, but severe. He approached the end with a mighty faith in God; he was unafraid.

The funeral service was conducted by his pastor, Geo. W. Braden, in the Paola Methodist church, and a second service was held in the church at Greeley, where he had preached a multitude of funeral sermons. A great number of his old time friends and parishioners gathered to look upon his face for the last time. In this service the Rev. Botkin assisted. From the church at Greeley the body was taken to Garnett for interment. The pallbearers at Paola were Rev. Barker of Osawatomie, Rev. McDonald of Louisburg, Rev. Skinner of Fontana, Rev. Ogden and Rev. Braden of Paola and Mr. Lindsay of Iowa.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book B, Page 299, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA