Biography - Preston Hunter
PRESTON HUNTER. We are apt to look upon the pioneer settlers in the
Middle States whose work is inevitably more apparent than can be the work of
a young man, as having more dynamic force than the men of today. Such,
however, is not necessarily the case. It is true that the constitutions of
the men of present day have been weakened by the severe strains upon their
parents, who were the pioneers of the country, but this has, to a degree,
has been offset by the present rational mental and physical training to
which our young men are subjected. There is as much, if not more, vitality
in the representatives of agriculturalists now than ever before, and because
some of our young men have inherited their homes instead of pre-empting them
from the Government, is no proof that they have not as much
go-ahead-ativeness and ability as their fathers.
One of the young and successful farmers and stock-raisers who lives on a
fine farm of two hundred acres, is he whose name is at the head of this
sketch. Our subject settled here in the spring of 1890. The land was owned
for some years prior to this by his father, Anderson Hunter, an old settler
and large landowner, having twelve hundred acres of highly improved land in
the county, besides a valuable timber lot.
The original of our sketch was born in Ridge Township, Shelby County, August
24, 1869. He is one of a large family and was carefully reared, and well
educated. He lived with his father until his marriage, when he made a home
upon the present location. He has always been an industrious, energetic
young man, never sparing himself when there was hard work that required a
cool head and quick perception. His marriage took place in Ridge Township,
February 25, 1891. The young lady whom he made his wife was a Miss Mattie
Eversole. She was born in Ohio, April 13, 1870, being only a small child
when her parents removed to this State, settling in Ridge Township, this
county. She was there reared and carefully educated, and our subject may
well be proud of his handsome, refined and intelligent wife. She is the
daughter of Jacob and Catherine Eversole, who are prominently engaged in
church work in Ridge Township. There they have lived for a good many years.
Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are already prosperous young people and the future
promises much for their ambition and energy. Mrs. Hunter is a member of the
Evangelical Association. Politically. Mr. Hunter shows the tendency of the
new blood by voting with the reform party. Socially he is a sustained and
member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association.
Extracted 10 Apr 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, page 520.
