My Genealogy Hound

W. R. Hunter, who possesses much natural ingenuity and practical skill in mechanical lines, has for years been a leading contractor and builder of Afton and evidences of his handiwork are seen in many substantial structures of the city and surrounding country. As a factor in its industrial life, therefore, he deserves mention in this volume and is, moreover, entitled to representation by the fact that he has here resided for more than a third of a century, coming to Afton in 1874. He was born in sight of Terre Haute, Indiana, October 13, 1842, and the years of his boyhood and youth were there passed as a member of his parents’ household.

His father, Thomas Hunter, was a native of Kentucky, and with his parents went to Indiana, where he was reared and married, the lady of his choice being Miss Ann Mundell, who was born and reared in the Hoosier state. Thomas Hunter was a mechanic and learned the trade of carpentering. He followed that pursuit, also engaged in farming and reared his family upon a farm. He continued his residence in Indiana up to the time of his death. Unto him and his wife were born three sons and five daughters but two of the daughters have passed away. Those still living are: Samuel A., who owns and occupies a part of the old homestead farm in Vigo county, Indiana; J. T. Hunter, a traveling salesman residing at Terre Haute, Indiana; Nancy J., the wife of Jasper Huffman, a resident farmer of Vigo county; Mrs. Adelia Samantha Liston, of Terre Haute; and Martha, who owns and resides upon the old home place in Vigo county.

W. R. Hunter is indebted to the common schools of his native county for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He was married in Vigo county just before the twentieth anniversary of his birth, September 5, 1862, the lady of his choice being Miss Harriett J. Burchfield, who was born in Clay county, Indiana, in 1846, but was largely reared in Iowa. Before reaching womanhood, however, she returned to the Hoosier state. Her parents, Nathan and Eliza (Tinsley) Burchfield, were also natives of Clay county, Indiana, where they spent their early life. The father was twice married and by his first union had a son and daughter: John, who is married and lives in Maryville, Missouri; and Mrs. Cooper, who lives near him. In 1845 the father married Eliza Tinsley, by whom he had three children, but the son died young. The daughters are Mrs. Hunter, wife of our subject; and Mrs. Reifsnider, a resident of Fernando, California. Mr. Burchfield was a soldier of the Mexican war and returned home broken down in health, dying in 1851. His wife died soon afterward.

In the fall of 1865 Mr. and Mrs. Hunter removed to Hancock county, Illinois, where they resided upon a farm for nine years. From early youth, however, he had worked with his father as a carpenter and joiner and in other mechanical pursuits. On leaving Illinois he went to Iowa, settling at Afton, where he began work at his trade, spending a year as a journeyman. He then began contracting and building on his own account and has been an important factor in the material development of the town. Many of the residences and business houses here are evidence of his skill and ability in his chosen field of labor and he has also been connected with building operations in the surrounding districts in Union county and also in Ringgold and Madison counties. Nearly all of Tingley was built by him, for he worked there continuously for three years, having a number of men in his employ. He is prominently known as an able contractor of Union county and his patronage has been extensive and of an important character. Soon after his arrival in Afton he purchased a residence in the eastern part of the town, which was subsequently destroyed by fire. Later he built a good house, which he afterward sold, and then bought where he now resides. He has added to and remodeled this place and made it an attractive residence.

As the years have gone by seven sons and four daughters have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Hunter and the family record is a remarkable one in that the circle has never been broken by the hand of death. The children are as follows: Arvando, who is a mechanic of Illinois; Almeda, the wife of Dr. Vance M. Powell, a physician of Peoria, Illinois; W. T., a business man and carpenter of Kansas City, Missouri; Otis, a contractor and builder of Gentry, Missouri; Eldred, a contractor and builder of Ralton, New Mexico; Clarence and Verna, who are partners of their brother Eldred; C. C., who is a business man of Lorimor, Iowa; Mary F., the wife of A. D. Johnson, who is engaged in railroad construction and repair work and makes his home at Benedict, Kansas; Lulu, the wife of Arthur Carter, a decorator, of Boise, Idaho; and Nola, the wife of Leslie Nichols, a farmer of Dodge township, this county.

In politics Mr. Hunter is independent, supporting the candidates whom he regards as best qualified for office. He served on the city council of Afton for one term but has always preferred to give his undivided time and attention to his business affairs, in which he is meeting with signal success. During his residence here, covering a third of a century, he has witnessed much of the growth of this part of the state and has been prominently identified with its substantial improvement. He belongs to that class of representative American men whose labors are an element in public progress, while at the same time they bring substantial benefits to the individual. Mr. Hunter owes his success to the fact that he has continually improved in workmanship, attaining a high degree of efficiency in the builders’ art, and also to the fact that he is thoroughly reliable and trustworthy, living fully up to the terms of his contracts.