Robert Hunter

1914 Delaware County History pgs. 236-242

In a history of the pioneer development of Delaware county mention should be made of Robert Hunter, who in an early day arrived in this section of the state and for many years was actively and helpfully connected with the work of public progress and improvement, while at the same time he carefully managed his business affairs and thus provided for the support of his family. He was born in Watertown, Jefferson county, New York, March 30, 1825, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. There is a tradition that owing to political troubles the founders of the family left their native Scotland many years ago and went to Ireland. James Hunter, our subject's father, was born in Lisburn, near Belfast. Ireland, and when a young man came to the United States, settling in New York. By trade he was a linen weaver, learning the business in Ireland, but after coming to this country he followed the occupation of farming. Eventually he removed westward to Rockford, Illinois, where he passed away in 1869. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Gillett, was a native of Columbia county, New York, and a daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. She died in Boston, whither she had gone for medical treatment. In their family were two children, Robert and Mary Ann, now deceased.

Robert Hunter spent two decades in the Empire state and in 1845 arrived in the middle west. In April, 1847, he enlisted for service in the Mexican war as a member of Company A, Sixteenth United States Infantry, being enrolled at Rockford, Illinois, after which he was sent to the Rio Grande to serve under General Taylor, there remaining until the close of hostilities. He carried with him a letter, the address of which was:

"Abraham Lincoln, Lieutenant Fortieth Regiment Infantry, U. S. A., Mexico.''
The letter was as follows:
Rockford, Illinois, 17 April, 1847.
"Dear Coz:

Mr. R. Hunter, who has been with us the past winter, has volunteered and in a few days leaves for Mexico. Should the fortune or fates of war bring you and him together, any favor or assistance you may be able to render him will be appreciated by his friends and anxious father and, I trust, merited by him, who has, by maintaining a good character, secured the confidence of all his acquaintances.
Yours truly,
JAMES M. WORKS.
"P. S.: A letter from you would be read with interest and answered with pleasure. Sister Susie's health is quite poor. Received a letter from Miss Skinner today. All well east.      

  J. M. W."

The foregoing letter was enclosed with the following:
April 17, 1847.
"Dear Robert:

I embrace the first leisure moment to address you. I have written to Coz Lincoln and will enclose in this. Your father was here today. He got to town about an hour after you left. He feels anxious for you, so do we all. I hope you will spend your leisure in reading instead of dissipation and get what good information you can. Remember, you have a character to lose which is everything with a young man. Remember to do well is to be happy. I hope to see you again. May the blessings of heaven attend you is the sincere wish of
Your friend,
J. M. WORKS.
"P. S.:   Please give my best regards to Matthew and don't forget to write."

Mr. Hunter received his discharge from the Mexican war at Newport, Kentucky, in August, 1848, and at once returned to Rockford, Illinois. In that city he was married, April 6, 1853, and in July of the same year started with his young wife by wagon for Delaware county, Iowa, where he located a land warrant for one hundred and sixty acres on section 25, township ninety, range four, west, erecting thereon a dwelling. The family still hold this land warrant, which was signed by Millard Fillmore. The lady whom Mr. Hunter wedded was Mary H. Cummings, a native of Thompson, Geauga county, Ohio. She was born July 2, 1833, a daughter of Nehemiah Cummings. She was of English descent. Many years ago a beautiful daughter of an English nobleman married a man not approved by her father and as a consequence was disinherited by him. With her young husband she came to America and settled in Vermont. This lady was the grandmother of Mrs. Hunter. To our subject and his wife were born, the following children: Mary Addie; James Omri, who died at the age of five years; Minnie Laura; Robert Cummings, who died at the age of eleven months; and George Albert, who was married December 29, 1897, to Clara Luense and has five children, Ruth Mildred, Robert Forest, Wayne Luense, George Lawrence and Edith Mary. The three children still own and occupy the old homestead on section 25, Elk township, which the father entered as a claim from government in 1851.

Soon after his arrival in Delaware county Mr. Hunter had the misfortune to break his leg and, as there were no surgeons here at the time, Mrs. Hunter, being much worried as to the outcome, for he had suffered excruciatingly for weeks, placed him on a bed in a wagon and thus returned to their old home in Rockford, Illinois, where with skillful treatment he recovered. During this trip they encountered a thrilling experience. When they arrived at Dubuque the ice on the river was getting thin, but they were so anxious to return that, accompanied by Mrs. Hunter's brother, Omri Cummings, they decided to venture across. Driving at an amazing pace while the ice was snapping and groaning, they reached the Illinois side in safety. On their return trip they were told that the next team that tried to cross soon after broke through the ice. After Mr. Hunter's recovery they immediately returned to Iowa and took up their residence at their new home in Elk township, Delaware county, where the surviving two daughters and one son still reside in a most beautiful residence.

Mr. and Mrs. Hunter were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The first church services which they attended in the county were held in a small building made of logs, covered with heavy boards and floored with thick slabs. The pulpit was a rude affair and there were only two rows of benches, one on each side of the building, the men sitting on one side and the women on the other. In this building, which was known as the Poulkney schoolhouse. Mrs. Hunter was one of the earliest teachers, having taught there in 1854. The children of the Hunter family were all given good educational advantages and have developed strongly marked literary tastes.

The death of Robert Hunter occurred May 5, 1907, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-two years, and his wife passed away June 20, 1912. The county thus lost two of its most worthy and highly esteemed pioneer settlers, who for more than a half century had been witnesses of the growth and development of this section of the state. They were people of the highest respectability and worth and their influence was ever on the side of progress, truth, justice and advancement. A kindly spirit actuated them in all of their relations with their fellow citizens and their many good traits of heart and mind endeared them to all with whom they came in contact.

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