Denver County, History of Colorado, BIOS: HUNTER, John B. (published 1918)
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"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. 
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918)  Vol. II

p. 71-71


JOHN B. HUNTER.

	John B. Hunter, filling the position of city engineer in Denver, 
was born February 18, 1857, in Versailles, Woodford county, Kentucky. 
His father, Stewart Hunter, was a native of that state and a 
representative of an old Kentucky family of Scotch lineage. He became a 
successful farmer and during the period of the Civil war he removed 
from Kentucky to Logan county, Illinois, where he continued to reside 
until his death, which occurred March 25, 1873, when he was fifty-three 
years of age. After becoming a resident of Illinois he responded to the 
country's call for troops to aid in the preservation of the Union and 
served in the Tenth Illinois Cavalry, winning the rank of captain. He 
was wounded while on a boat on the Mississippi river and as a result 
was disabled for further military service. He wedded Mary Brown, a 
native of Georgetown, Kentucky, and a member of one of the old families 
of that state of Irish lineage. She long survived her husband and 
passed away in Kentucky at the advanced age of eighty-two years. By her 
marriage she had become the mother of eight children, six sons and two 
daughters, of whom three are yet living, namely: Mollie, who is the 
widow of M. H. Keil and resides at Versailles, Kentucky; A. C., who is 
a retired farmer also living at Versailles; and John B., of this 
review.

	The last named, the youngest of the family, was educated in the 
public schools of Logan county, Illinois, having been but a little lad 
at the time of the removal of his parents to that state. His early life 
to the age of fourteen years was spent upon the home farm there and he 
soon became familiar with all the tasks that fall to the lot of the 
agriculturist as he tills his fields and harvests his crops. In 1873, 
when a youth of but sixteen years, Mr. Hunter removed to the west, with 
Denver as his destination, and for several years followed various 
pursuits in this city. In 1878 he became an assistant to Leonard 
Cutshaw, who was then city engineer, and while thus engaged succeeded 
in thoroughly acquainting himself with the profession and with all 
departments of civil engineering. In 1891 he was elected to the office 
of city engineer and was reelected in 1893. He served as assistant 
engineer from 1895 until 1897 and was then reelected in 1899 and again 
in 1901. In 1904 he was appointed city engineer by Mayor Robert Speer 
and served until 1912. The following year he was elected commissioner 
of improvements of the city and county of Denver and occupied that 
position until 1916, when Mr. Speer was reelected mayor, and once more 
he appointed Mr. Hunter to the office of city engineer, so that in 1918 
he has served for forty years in connection with the office. He is a 
member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, being connected with 
the Colorado branch.

	On the 27th of May, 1882, in Denver, Mr. Hunter was united in 
marriage to Miss Clara L. Livingston, a native of Carroll county, 
Illinois, and a daughter of William and Laura (Jacobs) Livingston, the 
former now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter became the parents of two 
children but both have passed away. In politics Mr. Hunter is a stanch 
democrat and has always been active in political and civic matters. In 
1912 he was a candidate for mayor against Henry Arnold but was 
defeated. Fraternally he is connected with all branches of Masonry, 
including Colorado Commandery No. 1 and the Colorado Consistory No. 1, 
so that he is a Knight Templar and a thirty-second degree Mason. He 
also is a member of El Jebel Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is 
identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and since its 
organization has been a member of the Democratic Club. His Is a notable 
career of faithful and efficient public service and whether as 
subordinate or official he has been most loyal in the discharge of his 
duties, his work ever being performed in a most capable manner. He 
thoroughly understands the broad scientific principles which underlie 
the work as well as all the practical phases of the business and many 
Important Improvement projects have been carried out under his 
direction.