BIOGRAPHIES:  Thomas HUNTER, Galesville, Trempealeau Co., WI

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Thomas Hunter, a prosperous citizen of Galesville, where he is engaged in 
the hardware business, was born at Decorah Prairie, on his parents' farm, 
Nov. 15, 1868, son of Thomas Russell and Agnes (Grant) Hunter; a memoir of 
whom may be found on another page of this volume.  Of their 11 children, 
he was the fourth in order of birth.  In his boyhood he attended district 
school at Decorah Prairie and when 15 years old began working in the woods 
for Michals & Co., of Onalaska, Wis.  After being thus employed for the 
winter, in the following spring he worked on the river as a log driver.  He 
remained at this occupation for seven years and for the next five years was 
employed on steamboats on the Mississippi River.  Then going to Chase County, 
Neb., where he was engaged in farming until Jun, 1894, when he returned to 
Galesville, Wis.  After residing at home for one season, or more, he married, 
Jan. 19, 1897, to Blanche Cram, who was born in Galesville, Wis., daughter 
of Almon E. and Isabelle (Gunderson) Cram, of Gale Township.  In 1903 he 
returned to Nebraska and for one year was engaged in cattle ranching.  Then 
selling his ranch, he drove a span of mules to Minneapolis and worked there 
for a sugar factory a short time.  Returning again to Galesville, he bought 
a farm near the village and operated it two years, at the end of which time 
he sold it to John Dick and opened his present hardware store in Galesville.  
He carries a full line of shelf and heavy hardware and his trade is 
constantly increasing.  He also operates a threshing machine and clover 
puller each season and owns property in the village of Galesville.  His 
fraternal affiliations are with the Beavers and Red Men, and he is also a 
member of the Galesville Fire Department.  Mr. Hunter's wife died Dec. 18, 
1914, leaving five children:  Rose Almon, Russell, Bruce Raymond, Thomas 
Russell and Marion, all of whom are residing at home.  In politics Mr. 
Hunter is a Socialist, but has taken no active part in local government.  He 
is an enterprising and industrious citizen, successful in business, and has 
a wide circle of friends in this part of the county.

--From the "History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, 1917," pages 529 - 530.