Lawrence County IN Archives Biographies.....Hunter, Jediah October 4, 1811 - June 11, 1891
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carol Brumley brumleycarol@yahoo.com August 16, 2008, 9:39 pm

Author: Jediah's grandson

                  Jediah Hunter

   Jediah Hunter was born 10-4-1811, Knox Co,  Ky. 
The son of Robert Hunter and Phoebe Dyar. He married 
Jane McPike, 1-24-1833, Lawrence Co, Indiana. To them
were born 3 children, Henry C., Phoebe Ann, James Robert.
 Jane died 7-1-1837, and Jediah married 3-15-1838, to 
Rachael Ann Sipes.They were a remarkable couple, and 
well known. Jediah had a talent for farming, and trading 
farms. He loved horses, and always rode at a stiff pace, 
even in his older years.
   Jediah was of medium height, and of rather sparse, 
medium weight, with dark hair, which became iron gray 
as he aged. His eyes were grayish blue, with heavy 
eyebrows. He was extremely alert, active, and industrious, 
with a mental eye that saw opportunity whenever it got 
close to him.
He had a happy attitude, a constitution of steel, a 
marksman of note in his day.He rode his horse, traveling 
his area thoroughly, buying and selling anything. 
He didn't smoke, but did drink.
   He was against slavery, and early in the Cival War, 
went into service. There he lost his hand and forearm 
from a gunshot wound, but not in battle. After coming 
in from pickett duty, he entered the tent, and a gun 
accidentally discharged. His family and he split open 
for awhile over the issue of slavery. And during one 
of these intense situations, a son-in-law of Jediah's 
brother, shot at Jediah, near where the Mundell Church 
is now located. He was riding his horse to Bedford to 
appear in court in a lawsuit. A rifleshot from ambush, 
passed through his neck, and knocked him from the horse. 
But he climbed back up and rode 10 miles to town, had 
the wound treated by a doctor, who drew a silk handkerchief
through it. He walked into the courtroom just as they were 
yelling he didn't appear.
   In Sept, 1855,  Rachael  was granted a divorce. 
One allegation was that he had opened a house of 
prostitution, near their home, and at times, required 
the women to stay with Rachael and the kids.
   When he was almost 60 yrs. old, a young tenant tried 
to hit him over the head with an axe. He threw up his 
good arm to protect his head, and got a chipped elbow, 
which refused to heal at his age. Surgeons removed the 
only arm he had left.Jediah got an artificial arm, and 
continued to trade and earn money.
   Not everyone agreed with his way of life. He didn't 
go to church, known by everyone, not always spoken of 
with respect, but had many friends. Maybe those who 
spoke ill of him, didn't ride a horse so far in one day, 
or as fast. Some were not as successful as he, for he 
was no pauper. He stood for what he thought was right, 
and asked for no favors.
(Written by grandson, who cared for him before his death.)
   Jediah died 6-11-1891, and is buried with two of 
his wives, at Mundell Cemetery. He served in Co G, 
50th Indiana Volunteers, from 11-1-1861, to 8-13-1862, 
discharged with an honorable discharge after losing his 
hand and forearm.


Additional Comments:
This was found in an old journal after his grandson passed away.

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