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From History of North Washington, published 1903, now in public domain. 
Submitted by Candy L. Grubb April 30, 1997. Both above notices must remain 
when copied or downloaded.

candyg@ieway.com

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JAMES HUNTER

	James Hunter, from whom the village of Hunters is named, is the
oldest settler on the Columbia between Spokane river and Rickey rapids, 
thirty miles above here.  He is a real pioneer in the true sense of the 
word and is a man of excellent qualifications, both of courage, and 
physical powers, while in his walk he has ever manifested sound principles.
He was born in Nova Scotia, on July 27, 1829, the son of James and Mary
(Hunter) Hunter, natives of Scotland, and dying in 1829 and 1850,
respectively.  James never saw his father as that personage was dead 
three months before this child was born.  In his native place, James
was educated and reared and in 1847 went to Boston, thence to New Bedford
and there shipped on a whaling vessel.  He sailed the seas in every
direction, visited various ports of the earth, saw the island where the
famous Robinson Crusoe was stranded, and in 1850 came through the Golden
Gate in time to see San Francisco go up in smoke.  He worked there for
two years, later helped to catch wild horses in the San Joaquin valley
and then mined in Butte county.  He also followed teaming and farming
some.
	In 1860, Mr. Hunter married Miss Martha Cleveland, in Butte 
county and to them were born five children: Mrs. Mary Slown, deceased;
Mrs. Adelade Williams, of Chico, California; Mrs. Cora Treger, of Hunters;
James Wilbur, of Hunters; and Mrs. Helen Brooks, of Fruitland.  In 1880,
Mr. Hunter came to his present place, locating his land on August 22,
1880.  He was the only settler within thirty miles of this place.  Three
other men came with him, packing their provisions and blankets on cayuses 
from lake Chelan, but he was the only one who stayed.  He had twenty-five
dollars and a cayuse and thus we may well know the hardships endured, the
arduous labors performed, and the real stamina required to stay and build
a home in this wild country.  All goods had to be freighted a hundred and
more miles and only Indians were seen about.  Four years after locating
Mr. Hunter's wife and children came to him and on April 26, 1895, he was 
called to mourn the death of his beloved companion.
	On January 7, 1899, Mr. Hunter married Miss Louisa Fields.  By
her first marriage Mrs. Hunter has one child, James W. Mann, of North
Park, Colorado.  By her second husband, she has four, David R. Fields, 
of Blackhawk, Colorado; Mrs. Mary E. Doran of Leadville; John H. Fields,
of Black hawk; Mrs. Hattie O'Leary, of this county.  Mrs. Hunter's
father and mother, Hiram and Susana Carpenter, are living in this county,
the former aged eighty-one and the latter seventy-six, both being hale
and hearty.  Mr. Hunter has twenty-two grandchildren and his wife ten.
Mrs. Hunter is superintendent of the union Sunday school and is a worker
for the advancement and upbuilding of the community.  Mr. Hunter has a 
good farm, well improved and valuable.  He set out the first orchard in 
this section and has always been progressive and active.  He is a staunch
Republican, and voted for Abraham Lincoln twice.