HUNTER, William 1826-1901

HUNTER

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 6/14/2021 at 19:52:39

From Worth County Index, Northwood, IA, April 4, 1901

A Useful Life Ended
Northwood mourns the loss of one of the best citizens it ever had. On Monday morning, April 1, after a month of sickness and great pain, Mr. William Hunter passed from earthly life to the life of immortality. He was born in Seneca county, N.Y., April 15, 1826. While he was yet a mere youth his parents were taken from him by death, and he was obliged to care for himself almost from childhood. In 1840 he came west, to Whitewater, Wis., where he learned and worked at the carpenter’s trade – an eminently congenial one to him as the constructive, home-making instinct was ever strong within him.

At Whitewater, on New Year’s eve, 1846, he was united in marriage to Sarah, daughter of Calvin Pike, who proved herself a genuine help-mate, and the two grew old together, augmenting each other’s joys and sharing each other’s sorrows for upwards of fifty-four years. In September of 1868 they with their family moved to and took up their residence in Northwood, and immediately identified themselves with the town’s best interests. Of Mr. Hunter’s business career it is needless to speak in detail. In 1869 he engaged in merchandising, the firm name being Pike and Hunter. During the next year he became interested in the banking business with Messrs. Easton and Pike. Later, and for a dozen years or more, he engaged in the lumber business, leaving it in 18—to erect the Hunter store building, in which he conducted a thriving furniture trade for the remainder of his active life. But in the intervals of his earlier business ventures he found time to build, or superintend the building of several substantial residences. And he could always find time for anything in the way of patriotism and public spirit, anything which would help beautify the town or promote its material, social or moral upbuilding. He planted or secured the planting of very many of the trees which give our town one of its chief charms; he assisted in church choirs and organized singing schools; and it was wholly characteristic of the man that he aided materially in the erection of both the Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal churches though not a member of either. From 1885 to 1889 he was the honored mayor of the town, and he ably filled other positions of civic trust. Mr. Hunter was ever an industrious man, but he held many things of greater importance than the accumulation of wealth. His home life was ideal. Grandma Graves, who died last week, aged ninety years, always spoke of him as the most patient and considerate of men; and it almost seemed that when she passed away Mr. Hunter felt that his life work was ended. Mr. Hunter’s nature was genial, kindly, helpful, lovable. The public interest manifested during his sickness, the attendance yesterday at the funeral, the deep and general sorrow which pervades our town, all bear eloquent testimony to the high place he had won in the people’s affections. Mrs. Hunter was apparently near death’s door when her husband was called hence; and though she had been gaining ground during the past two days she is not able as yet to fully sense the extent of her great loss, but – contrary to their fears – she expresses a desire to live for the sake of her children. Mrs. Nellie Hunter Sarnea, arriving from Missouri a few hours before the end came, was recognized by her father and received his grateful welcome, and a farewell blessing. Mr. C.P. Hunter, eldest son of this sorely afflicted family, was recalled to Minneapolis as his only son, George, was lying most dangerously ill of brain fever. The other children, Messrs. Gaylord G. and Willis W. Hunter and Mrs. Mary N. Collin were able to the last to minister to their honored father. Mr. Hunter’s funeral services were impressively conducted by Revs. Beach and Cole in the Baptist church, yesterday p.m., and the brethren of Northern Light lodge, A.F. and A.M., rad their beautiful ritual, at the grave .Mr. Hunter leaves his children the most precious heritage it is possible for man to leave, the stainless record of an upright, loving life.

(Worth County Index, Northwood, IA, April 4, 1901