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HUNTER, ALBION (deceased) - The late Albion Hunter, for many years a resident of Springfield, Ill., spent his last days of retirement from active life. He belonged to a family that had for many generations lived in the Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania. He was born in New Brighton, Beaver County, that State, to which place his parents had removed at their marriage, and where they spent the remainder of their lives. Both parents were born in Greene County, Pa., the father in 1810 and the mother in 1812, and the former died at New Brighton in 1866, while his widow survived him until 1897. They were parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters, namely: Emily, wife of Joseph McDaniels, both deceased; Albion; Margaret married Levi Gibson, of New Brighton, Pa., and both are deceased; Samuel, deceased, formerly of New Brighton; Frank, of New Brighton; Ellen, wife of John Brown, of Block House Run, Pa.; Elsie married John Stuck, both now deceased; and William, of New Brighton, Pa.

The birth of Albion Hunter occurred May 22, 1838, and his education was acquired in the public schools of his native place. His first employment was in a brick yard there, and in 1875 he came to White Hall, Ill., where he engaged in brick-making. Two years later he located in Springfield, where he was engaged in the manufacture of brick until his retirement from active life in 1905. He built up a good business and won an excellent business reputation. He was highly esteemed as a man of business integrity and stability and had many warm friends there.

September 20, 1857, Mr. Hunter was married in Beaver County, Pa., by "Squire" James A. Barrett, to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Matilda (Shade) Smith, who was born in Perry County, Pa., August 23, 1833. Her father was born at Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa., in 1815, and her mother at New Bloomfield, that State, in 1812. Mr. Smith, who was a shoe-maker by trade, removed to time, Pike County, Ill., in 1876, plied his trade there about two years, when he and his wife located at New Brighton, Pa., where both spent the remainder of their lives, the father passing away in 1907 and the mother, November 11, 1891. They were parents of three sons and four daughters namely: William, of New England Hill, Pa.; George W., of Wheatland, Mo.; Samuel K., of New Brighton, Pa.; Mary A., widow of Benjamin Schlusser; Catherine, wife of Nathan A. Crouch, an undertaker living at New Brighton, Pa.; Rebecca, unmarried and living at New Brighton; Elizabeth, Mrs. Hunter. The three sons served in the Civil War. Mr. Hunter also served in the war as a private in Company B, Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Heavy Artillery, enlisting August 20, 1864, at the age of twenty-six years. He was mustered out at the close of his term of service, being finally discharged at Washington, D.C., June 30, 1865.

Four children were born to Mr. Hunter and wife, two sons and two daughters: Fraser, born September 1, 1858, died December 3, 1903; Clara, born October 9, 1860, wife of Christopher Francis, of Ridgely, Ill.; Anna, born November 16, 1862, wife of Alexander Farnsworth, a printer living in Springfield; Byron died September 20, 1866. There were nine grandchildren in the family, of whom five are living, and there are three great-grandchildren. Both Mrs. Hunter and her husband belong to old Pennsylvania families. Mr. Hunter was a Democrat in politics. His death occurred at his home in Springfield March 15, 1907, and was deeply deplored by his many friends.