JOHN A. HUNTER, a skilled builder and contractor of McDonald borough, is descended from natives of the Emerald Isle, whence so many of our most enterprising and worthy citizens trace their origin. Robert Hunter first saw the light of day in County Down, Ireland, where he grew to manhood and was married. The young people soon afterward set sail for America, immediately after their arrival proceeding to Washington county, and settling in Cecil township. A log cabin was soon erected and the work of clearing the farm begun, which he continued until his death. The children born to them were Mary (wife of Alexander Jeffrey),Elizabeth(Mrs. Lindsey), Jane (Mrs. Hunter) and John. Robert Hunter and his family were members of the Presbyterian Church at Miller's Run, of which he was an active supporter. In politics he was an active member of the Whig party. His wife died in 1854, at the age of ninety-six years. John Hunter was born in Cecil township, this county, on the Hunter homestead, and passed his youth in attending the country schools, receiving a good education. He was married to Nancy Greer, a native of eastern Pennsylvania, who bore him children as follows: Elizabeth, Mary, Robert, George, John A., Margaret, William (who enlisted in Company D, Tenth Pennsylvania Reserves, and died in the service), Joseph, James and Nancy J. The father of this family followed agricultural pursuits. In political opinion he was first a Whig, then a Democrat; and in religious connection was a stanch member of the Covenanter Church, in which faith he died in 1868, being followed by his wife in 1878; both are buried in the Covenanter Church cemetery. John A. Hunter was born January 19, 1836, in Cecil township, this county, and received a common-school education. He began farming for himself at the age of seventeen years; in 1870 he came to McDonald, here following the business of a builder and contractor, and he has erected the majority of the buildings in the town. On July 3, 1861, he was married to Mattie A., daughter of William Harper; the latter was a son of Robert Harper, a native of Ireland, who was there married, and, afterward coming to America, settled in Cecil township at an early day. He was a Whig in politics, and in religious faith a member of the Seceder Church. His son, William Harper, was reared and educated in Cecil township, this county, and in early manhood was married to Mary, daughter of John Lindsey, of Cecil township; their children were Mattie A., David, Mary, Tamar, Wilson, Joseph and Melissa. The father followed agriculture and stock raising; in politics he was formerly a Whig, and united with the Republicans upon the formation of the party. To the union of John A. and Mattie A. (Harper) Hunter, two children have been born: Addie G. (deceased) and William J. Mr. Hunter votes the Republican ticket, and in religion he is a member and trustee of the United Presbyterian Church.

Text taken from page 1332 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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