The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-01-22
Death Of a pioneer.
Corvallis toregon) TImos.l

.
We are called upon to chronicle the
death of pioneer and one OF the old
est aud best known citizens OF this
country.
Ira Hunter died at his residence in
this c ty on the 22ud inst, aged 81
years and 1 months. He was fully
aware of his approaching dissolution,
but m death bravely and without
fear rs he hal many oi the dangers
that had beset his pathway during a
long eventful life. He, like many OF
the pioneers OF Oregon, was no ordi-
nary man and the many interesting
events OF his life il written out
would make an interesting work Of
itself.
Ira Hunter was orn in Jonesboro,
Washington county ,inEast Tennessee,
ON the 9th day OF July, 1909. He
moved to Missouri in 1882 and was
married in 1885 to Martha Bowers, of
Kansas City. Missouri, who survives
HIM. He moved back to Tennessee
in 1874, and returned the same year
to Kansas City, where he remained
until the Spring of lS49, when he
joined the great rush for the Eldorado
and crossed the plains to California to
seek his iurtuEe in the gold mines.
tie returned to Missouri in 1852 and
IN the spring Of 1852 crossed the
plains again AS captain OF a train OF
fNrty wagons, leaving Kansas City
April 10 and arriving in Benton
county, Oregon, on the Goth day OF
October, 1852. He settled six miles
Dortheast of Corvallis, where he re
sided un'il 1871, and since that time
has resided in Corvallis. Deceased
leaves a wife surviving him 76 years
OF age ; one child, j. Q. Hunter, well
known in this country he also leaves
five grand children and two great
grand children, having buried FIVE
children.
The deceased has been member
of the Baptist church for 80 years
and Of the Masonic fraternity for 32
years. He was held in high esteem
by his friends and nsighbors, IS well
as hy the Masonic Lodge of, which he
was an honored member and who
turied him with all honors and cere-
mony OF That ancient order.
Uncle Joe, as his friends generally
call him, was not only well known to
all the old settlers OF this country,
but to many of the young people, for
he had lived through part OF two
generations, having lived in this coun.
try considerably ovev the average
length of human life.
He, like Avery, Greenberry Smith,
DICK Richardson, R. B. Hinton, VIM.
Barclay and other pioneers who have
proceeded him ito that bourne whence
no traveller returns" was man OF
sterling worth and integrity, a man
whose word was as good MS his bond.
A man with kind heart and q hui
name disposition, was always willing
to lend helping hand IN time OF
need and never turned 3 man away
from his door hungry. He was not
an ambitious man, perfectly content
to walk the peacefully ways OF private
lfe, but he had retentive memory
md his esentful life had stored his
mind with many int resting facts,and
among others was he account of the
tirst duel fought by Gen. Jackson and
a lawyer named Avery at Jonesboro
the birth place OF Mr.. Hunter.
In the case Of our pioneers,t the good
which they have done lives after them
and is enjoyed and appreciated by {
grateful and sorrowing people
When the final summons comes, as i
did in his Case, there is no terror at
tending it. Death beckoned to hin
with his silent finger and "He wrap
ped the draper of his couch abou
him and lay down to pleasant dreams,
leaving us to the sad reflection tina
the friends and places which knew
him here will know him again NJ
more on earth. But the last wore
must be spoken and the imperiou
mandate of death must be fulfilled
Although our brother had lived lon
in the land, far beyond the allotte,
"three score and tcn," yet his suadeI
death caused deep and unfeigned sor
row il our miA.t We bow to the ds
cree. Peace to his ashes Honor t
his memory Friend, brother, we bi
thee long, last farewell. b.
Happy Hooslers.
VIM. Timmons, Postmaster of Id
Vile. Ind Writes mElentric Rittal