Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1898-02-12
A srAuNcH DEMOCRAT.

Judge Gunter had been from early
youth an incorporating Jeffer-
sonian and Jacksonian Democrat.
He served as chairman of the County
Committee for many years, and was
for some time member of the State
Central Committee of the Democratic
party. Up to the time that he was
elevated to the bench he was an
active and aggressive campaign
speaker, striking hard blows for his
patty whenever he found an antago-
mist. Away back in the days follow
ing the Reconstruction era he met
and routed the Republican leaders
that invaded this part of Virginia.;
and, in the days of Readjuster
domination, such men as General
Malone, Parson Massey, and Colonel
Lamb felt the weight of his powerful
arm. The Democratic party in Vir-
einia never had truer son or a
drawer defender. He was delegate
to the National Democratic Conven-
tion or 1876 that nominated Tilden
and Hendricks. In 1880, he was a
candidate for the Democratic
nomination for Congress in this dis
trict, but his friends finding that the
nomination would probably go to a
dark horse, brought forward Judge
George T. Garrison, of Accomac, and
succeeded in giving him the nomina-
ton.
In 1879 Judge Gunter lost his wife,
and four years later his Oldest son,
Alfred B. Gunter a Bachelor of Arts
of Richmond College, and a Master
of Arts of the University Of Virginia.
who, upon the retirement of his
father from active practice, had
formed a law partnership with the
Hon. John W. g. Blackstone, now
Judge of Accomac County Court, was
taken from him by the insidious
disease of consumption. And in the
space of a few more years three other
sons, all fine, manly fellows, and all
highly educated and thoroughly
equipped for useful and honorable
careers, were carried off by the same
disease, leaving him three children
still surviving-Mrs. John W. Ed
monds, of Accomac Courthouse. Miss
Bessie Gunter, and Benjamin I
Gunter, Jr., the present Common
weaIth's Attorney of Accomac.
AN ADVOCATE OF EDUCATION.
Judge Gunter was q strong advocate
of higher education. Not only did he
give his own chlIdre Il the best educa-
tional advantages, but he encouraged
others to educate their children. He
was the steadfast friend and patron
of the Onancock Academy as long as
it existed, and afterwards OF the
Margaret Academy. He was for many
years trustee of Richmond College
and always had it's best interests at
heart. He was also strong friend
of the University of Virginia. Several
years ago Judge Gunter married Mrs.
Slater, a widow, residing at Belle
Haven, in the lower part OF Accomac,
,-la o4;I1 c,,ryiUoo
Judge Gunter had long been a
member of the Baptist church, and
for many years he served as modera-
tor of the Accomac Baptist Associa-
ton. Every one who knew him will
agree that he was the highest type OF
a Chr istian gentleman. For G full
quarter of century he had been q
member of Ocean Lodge of Masons.
At Willow Bank" his beautiful
home on the seaside of Aceomac,
where he lived nearly all the days OF
his life, he dispensed a graceful and
generous hospitality, preserving the
usages and traditions OF the V1r-
giuians of the olden time. No man
ever enjoyed to greater degree the
confidence and esteem of the people