HUNTER, John D., M. D.; Red River Parish, then Acadia Parish, La. Submitted for the LA GenWeb Archives by: Mike Miller Date: 4-06-98 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** =============================================================== Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 214-215. Edited by Alc e Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association. Hunter, Dr. John D., M. D., mayor of Rayne, Acadia parish, La., was born in Red River parish, La., August 15, 1876; son of John A. and Catherine (McKinney) Hunter, both of whom were born in the same locality as was the son. John A. Hunter in early life devoted his energies to the avocation of a planter. He later served as sheriff of Red River parish during a term of 4 years, and has always taken an active part in political and public affairs. He located at Rayne in the year 1889, and during a number of years following served as president of the Acadia parish school board. At the beginning of the Civil war he enlisted as a member of the 19th La. volunteer infantry, attached to the army of the Tennessee, and served throughout the term of the war. The mother is now deceased, but is survived by her husband, who is at this time living in retirement at Rayne. The paternal grandfather, James Hunter, was a native of South Carolina. Both he and the maternal grandfather, McKinney, came to Louisiana as young men, and were afterward married in the latter state. John D. Hunter was fifth of 7 children born to his parents, as follows in the order of their birth: Alice, now Mrs. Thomas Woodside; Annie, now Mrs. J. D. Groesbeck; Martha, deceased wife of Dr. Thomas Ragan; Katharine; John D., the subject of this sketch; Grace, wife of Dr. R. E. Cunningham, and Margaret. John D. Hunter attended the public schools of Rayne, following which he was a student at the State Normal school, Natchitoches, La., during 2 terms. He then taught in Lafayette and Iberia parishes until 1900, when he entered the Medical Department of the University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn. After passing 2 years as a medical student in this latter institution, he entered the Memphis hospital Medical college, (Tenn.) from which he graduated in 1902. Following the completion of his professional education, he located at Lafayette, La., and there began medical practice, but after about 18 months in this location removed to Rayne, where he has since been continuously engaged in general practice. Feb. 7, 1910, Dr. Hunter was married to Miss Orra Kelley, of Galveston, Tex., and 2 children have been born to their union, namely: Margaret and John D., Jr. Dr. Hunter is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World, Independent Order Odd Fellows, the Acadia parish, Louisiana State Medical, and the Attakapas Clinical society, of which latter organization he served as president from June, 1912, to June, 1913. Also, he is president of "Acadia's Cash Emporium, Ltd," a mercantile corporation operating one of the largest general stores in Acadia parish, the business being conducted at Rayne. Dr. Hunter is affiliated with the democratic party, and has served the people of his locality in various official capacities. He filled the position of president of the board of health during 4 years. In 1910 he was elected Mayor of the city of Rayne, and his administration of the affairs of the city proved so satisfactory to his constituents that he has since been twice re-elected to succeed himself in that important office, and is at this time serving his third term. During his incumbency of the Mayor's 'office a $20,000 school building has been erected, the service of both the water and electric light systems has been doubled, and an internal-combustion oil engine of the latest model has been installed in the electric light and water plant. # # #