Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Hunter, Joseph Sr 1817 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 6, 2007, 2:42 pm Author: Portrait & Bios Album, 1890 JOSEPH HUNTER, Sr., is one of the oldest settlers of Frankfort Township, the owner of a large landed estate and an extensive agriculturist. His home farm is the southeast quarter of section 13, on which is a fine large residence and other substantial and commodious buildings, among them being a windmill and tank, and a barn 72x100 feet, which is capable of holding three hundred tons of hay. Mr. Hunter owns six hundred and forty acres in this township, all well fenced and supplied with tenant houses, feed yards, orchards, and all improvements which characterize the estates of enterprising farmers. In Cook County he owns three hundred and twenty acres, and his entire landed estate is tillable except forty acres of timber land. Mr. Hunter was born in County Donegal, Ireland, near Ramelton, December 23, 1817, and reared on the parental farm with but limited common-school advantages. He remained at home until nineteen.years of age and then going into Scotland on a visit was offered a situation in the custom house at Glasgow. His father, however, advised him to emigrate to America and he made preparations to do so. In May, 1837, he left Londonderry on the sailer "Regatia" a slow vessel which occupied eight weeks in crossing the Atlantic. Young Hunter was sick during the entire voyage. He landed in Quebec and remained in Canada a few months, working on a farm. He was not pleased with the country as it was too heavily timbered to suit his taste and the same fall he made a trip to Illinois. Accompanied by his brother John, he crossed to Detroit, Mich., on a boat, then went on foot to St. Joseph, whence he crossed the lake to Chicago. Thence they traveled on foot to the Yankee settlement near Lockport, this county, which is now in the Township of Homer. The young men had about $100 in gold, and had to change a $5 piece every morning to pay the bill at the inn. The change they received was "wild cat" money which others refused to take and when our subject reached Will County he was virtually empty handed. Young Hunter had learned something of the mason's trade in his native land and he found employment at it for a time and then engaged on a farm by the month. The best hands received but $120 a year for farm work. In 1840, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land at $1.25 per acre and located upon it six years later. He put up a log house shaping the logs himself and completing the structure, being only able to get one man to help him raise it. He was the first settler upon the prairie within a radius of many miles. He had taken cattle in payment for farm work so that he had a good herd and he let men take care of them on various terms. He killed some and sold beef among the few settlers and also disposed of some of the animals alive. Mr. Hunter broke prairie with oxen attached to a clumsy plow, and the soil being tough and the implement unwieldly, six yoke were necessary. The cattle fattened readily on the prairie grass and grain grew well on the newly-broken soil. The latter was hauled to Chicago, a distance of thirty miles, the trip consuming two days. During those early years, large herds of deer were to be seen in this vicinity and wolves were numerous, often following Mr. Hunter in his journeys. Unlike the most of the early settlers, he did not engage in hunting but devoted himself exclusively to his agricultural pursuits in which he was very successful. He added to his real estate from time to time, paying $50 per acre for some eight hundred acres of that which he now owns. The estate of Mr. Hunter is managed systematically, two hundred and fifty acres being devoted to oats, three hundred to corn, and three hundred to hay and pasture. He raises full blooded Shorthorn cattle of all grades, keeping about two hundred head. He feeds three or four car loads of cattle besides, and raises about as many car loads of hogs per year. He has the largest horse ranche in the township and has been quite successful with draft horses and roadsters. He has about fifty head of the latter and raises about twelve colts per annum. The marriage of Mr. Hunter and Miss Jane Gamble took place at the bride's home in Jo Daviess County, near Hanover, in June, 1846. The bride was born in County Donegal, Ireland, November 10, 1810, being a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Malseed) Gamble. Mr. Gamble was a farmer who died in the Emerald Isle whence his widow emigrated to America with her family in 1832. They left Londonderry on the sailer "Crainge" and after a voyage of five weeks, landed at New Castle and took up their residence in Philadelphia. In 1837, they came down the Ohio River to its junction with the Mississippi and thence up the latter river to Galena, Ill., going from there to Hanover, Jo Daviess County, by wagon; there Mrs. Gamble remained until her death. She belonged to the Presbyterian Church and reared her family with fine principles and useful habits. Her sons, Samuel, Joseph and James are now deceased, and Daniel is living in Jo Daviess County. Mrs. Hunter is the only daughter. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hunter has been blest by the birth of three sons, of whom the firstborn, James, died when twenty-one years old. Joseph Jr. is at home assisting in the farm labors; Daniel G. is married and living on the adjoining section. Joseph Hunter, Sr., has been School Director nearly every since he came to this section. He was Supervisor of Frankfort Township, for two years, and at the last election received every vote in the township except one. He was Commissioner of Highways seven years, has served on grand and petit juries, as a delegate to political county conventions and a member of the County Central Committee. He is a true-blue Republican and at an early date identified himself with the anti-slavery movement, his being one of the three votes cast in the town of Homer for James G. Birney. He maintained his belief amid the scoffs and taunts of many, but finally had the satisfaction of seeing his cause triumphant. His religious faith is expressed by the Presbyterian creed and he is identified with the church at Bloom, Cook County. He was formerly Elder of the society at Frankfort. He has helped to build the schoolhouse and has borne his part in every movement which would increase the material, intellectual and moral welfare of the community, and has made many friends by his agreeable manners, thrifty and energetic habits, and upright life. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/hunter1336nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 7.3 Kb