My Genealogy Hound

AUSTIN HUNTER, a progressive farmer and a well-known resident of Greenwich, was born in Enfield, December 22, 1823, son of Amos and Abigail (Marsh) Hunter. Mr. Hunter’s grandparents were Isaac and Catherine (Dix) Hunter, the former of whom came from Leicester, Mass., and settled upon a farm in the northern part of Enfield. He was an industrious and successful farmer, and resided in Enfield until his death, which occurred August 4, 1821. He was a Democrat in politics. His wife became the mother of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, all of whom reached maturity. She died in August, 1803.

Amos Hunter, Mr. Hunter’s father, was born November 28, 1778, and in his early manhood followed the occupation of a tanner. He later engaged in agriculture in Enfield, owning a farm of one hundred acres, which he conducted prosperously. The latter years of his life were passed in Greenwich, where he died at the age of eighty-six years. His wife, Abigail Marsh before marriage, who was born June 6, 1782, became the mother of eleven children, ten of whom grew to maturity. Six are now living, namely: Paulina C., widow of Thomas Conkey, born October 3, 1804, now the oldest resident in Greenwich, residing with Mr. Hunter; Amos, who resides in Enfield; David, who occupies the old homestead in Enfield; Charles, who resides in Belchertown; Austin, the subject of this sketch; and Abbie, widow of Elisha Moody, of South Hadley. Those deceased were: Shepherd, Elbridge, Thomas, Lorency, and Moriva. The last named died in infancy. The mother lived to the age of eighty-five years.

Austin Hunter grew to manhood in Enfield, and received his education in the schools of that town. He resided at home until he reached the age of twenty-one, when he engaged as a farm assistant with Thomas Conkey for the compensation of twelve dollars per month. He continued in this employment for some ten years, after which Mr. Conkey, in consideration of being supported by him during the rest of his life, gave him the farm, situated in the town of Prescott, where he resided until April, 1864, when he acquired his present farm in Greenwich. He has enlarged his property, which originally consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, by the addition of adjoining land; and he now owns an exceedingly productive and well-located farm of two hundred and fifty acres. He conducts general farming in a practical and progressive manner, being well acquainted with the improved methods of agriculture. His residence and other buildings, which were substantially constructed, are kept in the best of repair. In politics Mr. Hunter is a Republican, and was formerly identified with public affairs for some years. He served with ability as a member of the Board of Selectmen, and also held other official positions.

On April 20, 1859, Mr. Hunter was united in marriage to Mary L. Smith. She was born in Pelham, Mass., October 27, 1834, daughter of Job and Martha (Conkey) Smith, both of whom were natives of Pelham. Job Smith was a prosperous farmer during his entire life, and he lived to the age of sixty-four. He raised a family of four children, as follows: Mary L., who is now Mrs. Hunter; Hannah, who is now Mrs. Horr, of Pelham; Laura, now Mrs. Boynton, of Pelham; and Mehitable, who became Mrs. Sanborn, and died in Westfield, December 6, 1892. The mother died aged sixty-three years.

Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have nine children, namely: Alice M., who was born April 30, 1860; Mary, born October 31, 1861; Elmer A., born June 20, 1863; Walter L., born July 22, 1865; Myron A., born April 7, 1867; Edward M., born October 19, 1869; David M., born March 13, 1871; Harry E. and Henry E., twins, born March 23, 1877.

Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are old and highly esteemed residents of Greenwich, and she is a member of the Congregational church. Mr. Hunter has lived a busy and useful life, and is passing his declining years in comparative ease and comfort.