Benjamin F. Hunter
Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri
Biographies of Scott County, 1888
Benjamin F. Hunter, a wealthy and influential citizen of Scott County, Mo. is a native of that county, born on October 17, 1831. He is a son of Abraham and Sarah (Ogden) Hunter, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. Abraham Hunter was of Scotch-Irish descent. His grandfather came to the United States in its early settlement, and located in Virginia, where Joseph Hunter the father of Abraham, was born. Joseph Hunter immigrated to Missouri about 1791, and made his permanent location near the present town of Sikeston. In 1812 he was appointed, by President Madison, a member of the first Territorial Council of Missouri. He was a farmer by vocation, and was well versed in history and general literature, being a great reader. Abraham Hunter came to Scott County with his parents. He was also a farmer and stock raise. He made several trips from New Madrid to New Orleans on a flat-boat loaded with grain, and returned pulling the empty boat by a rope. He was the second sheriff in the Territory of Missouri, and was a member of the Missouri Legislature, serving five sessions in the Lower House and two sessions in the Senate. He served as probate judge of Scott County from 1825 to 1828. At the time of his death in 1870, he owned between 3,000 and 4,000 acres of land. His first wife died on December 29, 1839, having borne a large family of children, only three of whom are now living: Isaac, Joseph and Benjamin. By a second marriage, he had three children, all of whom are dead. The subject of this sketch remained with his father until he reached his majority, when he removed to a little log cabin in the place where he now lives. He soon after built a nice log house. In 1860 he was united in marriage with Mary E. Bird, by whom he had one child (deceased). His wife died in 1862, and in 1866 he married Nancy E. Bird, a sister of his first wife. Five children have blessed this union: Mary B. Clara C., Stephen B., Lucy N. and Sarah I. Mr. Hunter was elected county judge in1861, but held the office but a few months. By industry and economy he has become one of the largest land owners in Southeast Missouri, and has one of the best farms in Scott County, upon which he has an elegant residence. Mr. Hunter is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Hunter is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Submitted by Connie Perkins
Poster-#-157-
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