JOHN W. HUNTER, deceased, was born in county Antrim, Ireland, on the 9th of Feb., 1824, being a son of John and Catherine (Wallace) Hunter, natives of Ireland. In 1851 he bade farewell to his fatherland, and taking passage on a vessel at Belfast, sailed for New York. From there he went to New Jersey, where he remained two years. In 1853, he came to Illinois, locating near Jerseyville, where he followed farming a short time. He rented land for about 12 years, and then purchased some. In 1867, he came to Greene county and purchased 200 acres of land, 80 of which lies in Jersey county, and the remainder on section 33, in Kane township, where he resided until his death, which occurred on the 20th of Feb., 1882. He was twice married; first to Jane Robb, daughter of James and Esther Robb, on the 14th of Nov., 1848. By this union they had eight children, six of whom are living - Sarah, married Frank E. Brown, resides in Kane; James, married Allie D. Davis, resides in Carlinville; William A., Albert E., deceased; married Martha J. Allen, who resides in this county; Thomas, Sophronia A., wife of William Fitzgerald, resides in Sumner county, Kan.; Charles W. and a child who died in infancy. Mrs. Hunter died Jan. 5, 1867, and Mr. Hunter was again married, June 18, 1868, to Matilda J. Crone. By this union they had eight children, five of whom are living. They are - John, Mary, Harry, Julia and Mabel. Those deceased are - Jessie, and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Hunter now owns 130 acres of land, and the farm is managed by Wm. Hunter, her step-son. Mrs. Hunter and family are members of the M. E. church.