Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1921-01-04
PUGET SOUND PIONEER
PASSES AWAY At EVERETT
and Lived on q Farm Here
Number of Years.

Jacob Hunsaker, a resident OF Ev-
erett since 1892, and formerly mayor
of the city, died suddenly on his way
home at 1902 Cakes avenue from his
real estate Office last night at $50
o'clock. says the Everett Herald OF
December %.
Jacob Hunsaker, quoting from a
sketch of his life in History of the
Puget Sound Country" was BON
January 20. 1845, near Quincy,
Illinois. His father, Jacob T. Hun
saker, was likewise a native Of Hi
nois and belonged to an old Ameri-
can family that was established at a
very early time in colonial history.
He was Of both Swiss and Welsh de-
scent, and was a farmer by occupa-
ton. Prior to the discovery of gold
in California, which was the begin
ming of the rapid settlement along
the Pacific coast the Hunsaker family
acme to Oregon, by way of the Ore
gon trail. The long journey over
land was made when Jacob was only
Is months old. He was fair-haired,
rosy-cheeked baby, and the Indian
women along the way greatly ad-
mired him, and many wished to
adopt him. At one time Jacob S
father jokingly told an old Indian
woman that she could have the child.
Taking him at his word, the woman
grasped the baby in her arms, and,
leaping suddenly upon a pony, was
about to dash away when the father
grabbed the bride and prevented
her.
The Hunsakers settled near Oregon
City, not far from the site of the
present city Of Portland, where Jacob
grew to manhood. He began his ed
ucation in Oregon City and later at
tended the Pacific university at For
est Grove for one year. He left
school at the age Of 20 and taught
for three years. In 1858 he accepted
q position as clerk in a hotel in Port
land and afterward occupied a SIM
liar position at The Dalles. In 1872
he made trip to Peru, South Amer
lea, returning the following year, ut
which time he located in Thurston
county, where he farmed for a num-
Der Of years. Later he turned his at
tention to the cultivation of fruit
near The Dalles<ond followed that oc-
cupation until 1883, when he puc-
chased farm at White Salmon,
Washington, and in connection with
general agricultural pursuits he car
ried on merchandising, devoting his
time to the dual business until 1895.
During that period he was elected a
county, commissioner Of Klickitat
county and in 1889 was chosen to
represent the district of Klickitat
and Skamania counties in the state
senete, where he served two terms.
In 1891 he was elected to the house
O representatives.
In 1892 Mr.. Hunsaker moved to
Everett and engaged in the real es-
tate business. He was prominently
identified with the city's early
growth, and took an active interest
in civic affairs.
1895 he entered public life again.
being elected mayor o Everett, which
position he held for one term. In
1897 he was chosen city treasurer
and was reelected in 1898, 1899 aud
1900. In 1902 he was again elected
mayor of the city. Mr.. Hunsaker
had been asked again to accept this
Office, but had declined it. and during
his absence from the city the con-
vention was held which nominated
him, and he did not arrive until
after the election was over. Because
of the large majority he polled, and
out of consideration for his friends,
he consented to qualify.
On May /, 1873, Jacob Hunsaker
was married to Miss Elizabeth Cham
bers, native of Thurston county,
and a daughter Of A. J. and Marga-
ret Chambers, pioneers of this coun-
ty, having settled here in 1846. Four
children were born to them, three of
whom are living.
ORGANIZATION SCHOOL
AT ROCHESTER, IS MOST