HUNTER, Seth A.

Death of S. A. Hunter.

S. A. Hunter, one of the best known and most successful farmers of Hensley township, after an illness of two weeks from typhoid fever died Sunday night about 12 o’clock, age fifty-four years. The news of his sickness and death came as a great shock to his numerous friends.

He was born July 18, 1844, in Shel­by County Ky. but had been a re­sident of this county thirty years and had always been an enterprising, pro­gressive citizen. For many years he has been connected with the Johnson county fair association and in that cap­acity has been a valuable worker.

He leaves a wife and three children living, viz: David F., Julia M. and Maple Hunter.

Funeral services were held on Tues­day morning at 11 o’clock at First Mt. Pleasant, conducted by Rev. J. A. Pettit.

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The Franklin Democrat, Friday, June 9, 1899,
Volume XXXIX Number 48, page 5 columns 3–4

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OBITUARY.

Seth A. Hunter was born July 18, 1844; died May 28, 1899; age fifty-four years, ten months, ten days. Was married to Miss Lucinda A. Allen Nov. 19, 1868. Moved from Kentucky to Johnson County, Indiana, October, 1869, and settled in Hensley township. To this union were added Cammie O., June 20, 1870; Daniel F. July 17, 1875; Julia M., May 30, 1880; Katie E., Sept. 10, 1883; Maple M., Sept. 1, 1885. Of these children, Cammie O. died Oct 5, 1893; Katie E, July 9, 1897, the others and Mrs. Hunter survive him. At the date that Mr. and Mrs. Hunter settled in Hensley township it was almost prim­itive. The township was without any gravel roads, the farms were but little improved. The farming was carried on under old usages and the crops were cultivated with but little machinery. So at that age was a great field for an active farmer to make advancement into better farming and better stock raising. Mr. Hunter was not slow to take hold of the needs of the day. In a very few years after he settled in Hensley he began to make rapid improvements on his farm. The fields and pastures were greatly improved. He placed on the farm improved stock of hogs, sheep, cattle, horses, etc. Mr. Hunter selected blooded stock to stock his farm in everything pertaining to stock-raising. Mr. Hunter spared no expense in having the lead in fine stock and it was only a few years until he became known all over the county as the best stock raiser in the county. There are others who are as good, but none any better, and it is doubtful if any other farmer in Johnson County was his equal in the general raising, for he would not have anything his farm but the best; even down to poultry his was the best selections. Some men are noted in the cattle line, some in the sheep selections, some in the blooded horse, etc, but Mr. Hunter was noted in everything that is raised or grown on the farm. By his skillful management he soon began to increase his fine hogs, cattle, sheep, poultry until his farm‐fields and pastures were full of the best. As years passed by the farm was enlarged and cultivation and raising of the cereals were in keeping with advanced agricultural pursuits. With a progressive man in a neigh­borhood it inspires other to follow in his wake, so good and successful farming is watched by others who are ready to take hold and follow the example that is so readily seen to be of much value, leading to success. A good example in a township has much in­fluence. A good motto on the wall is read by the young and produces flower and seed. This good, industrious man has left in our midst lessons of great profit to all citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have been members of the Mis­sionary Baptist church at Beech Grove, and have during all these years given much strength and encouragement to the brother and sisterhood. They have borne their burdens and helped the weak and needy to bear their burdens. Mr. Hunter was not like some farmers, who has a sufficient competency resting on the oar while commanding the menial and hireling to do his bidding and labor, but he has ever taken hold of labor with his own hands and said to others, I will go before, you follow me. He was a man of toil, never flinching from duty. He was a hard laborer till his death. As a farmer he was a suc­cess. As a working man he had no superior. As a neighbor he was a man who would not turn away those who would ask a favor. As a member of the church he was constant and true, always doing his part and assisting others.

In politics he was a democrat, but as a neighbor it made no difference to him to what party a neighbor belonged—he was befriended all the same.

He had followed his dear son Cam­mie O. to his silent home October 6, 1893, and in sadness of heart followed the good, loving son to witness the clods rolled on the coffin. He too, night and day, sat by the bedside of his dear Katie E. and saw her close her eyes in death. So his life has been one of trial as well as one of happiness. The other children are with the loving companion, excepting Daniel F, who was married to Miss Otha Shank, April 16, 1892, and lives nearby. Mr. Hunter will be missed by all.

The family left to mourn the irrepa­rable loss, but the separation here is only God’s design to reunite again in the house of many mansions, where the members will never again be separated in sadness and sorrow. He was followed to his last earthly home from his residence by a sad procession a mile long, which shows the high esteem and love of neighbors, relatives and brother members of the I. O. O. F. He leaves a competency for the bereaved ones. His beautiful residence and well-arranged barn and other buildings are as foot prints on the rock of age, showing that these marks left are only the proofs of the busy hand of toil that has ceased its labor and the works do follow it.

In Kentucky are left to mourn their loss a dear aged father, who has passed the three score and ten, and as he realizes that to him is gone the dear son whom he so much loved, that his honored locks of hair tinged, painted white by the yearly frosts of so many winters, must very soon follow on to the unknown. It was very sad to see his loving brother’s anguish and deep grief when he came from his southern home to witness the last hours of the dear brother with whom he had spent the youthful and happy years.

On the bed of sickness Mr. Hunter gave good advice to his wife and chil­dren, telling them how he desired them to live and to run the farm. His talk during his short illness was for the good of the family. His conversation to his neighbors was for the good, and in all his great sufferings he was preparing to take his leave of all earthly cares, knowing that his life had been a suc­cess in all things, he closed his eyes knowing that all was well, and that he was going from labor to rest.

The call is, “Come thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into my kingdom where the weary will find rest.”                            B.F.K.

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The Franklin Democrat, Friday, June 16, 1899,
Volume XXXIX Number 49, page 3 column 4

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Hall of Trafalgar Lodge 131, I. O. O. F.

Preamble and resolutions on the death of Bro. S. A. Hunter.

Whereas, It pleased Him who doth all thing well to remove this honored and useful member of Trafalgar Lodge I. O. O. F., from our midst by the cold icy hand of death and called him to his reward May 28, 1899, and

Whereas, This honored and cherished brother, who by his counsel and willing helpfulness, gave strength and support to our society, and

Whereas, We delight to honor a life never weary in well doing, and who, by looking well to the ways of his house­hold, brought sunshine and happiness into his home, and by the virtues of industry, kindness, sympathy and self-sacrifice endeared him not only to his family but to those who have shared his hospitality, and

Whereas, We desire to extend an expression of out feelings and heart felt sympathy to the bereaved family and to perpetuate the memory of our brother in our fraternal order, therefore be it

Resolved, That we try to emulate his virtues and his pure and unselfish life of perseverance and industry,

Resolved, That we hereby express to his grief-stricken wife, children and re­latives our heart-felt sympathy in this hour of bereavement and extend to them assurance of sympathy and fel­lowship in this great sorrow,

Resolved, That a copy of these reso­lutions be sent to the family and a copy be placed upon the wall of the lodge room.

These resolutions were unanimously adopted by the lodge June 6, 1899.

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Link to Seth A. Hunter’s grave

Submitted by Mark McCrady and Cathea Curry