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HUNTER, JOHN W., an enterprising and practical young farmer, who has always been identified with the best interests of his community, and a lifelong resident of Chatham Township, Sangamon County, Ill., was born on his father's farm on Section 18, Chatham Township, the son of George W. and Rachel Caroline (Campbell) Hunter, mentioned at length in a sketch of the former, which appears in a preceding section of this volume. John W. Hunter spent his boyhood days on a farm, attending school and helping his father, beginning to do his share of farm work as soon as he was able to reach the plow handles and guide it in the furrow. After finishing a course in the district school he spent four winters attending the public school in Springfield, and one year in the Springfield Business College, after which he returned home and soon after went to live with his maternal grandfather, Peter C. Campbell, an extensive farmer of the county.

November 4, 1903, Mr. Hunter was married to Miss Flora Van Doren, also a native of Chatham Township, born on a farm near Mr. Hunter's birthplace, and daughter of William L. and Emelly (Darneille) Van Doren, her father a leading farmer of the township. After their marriage Mr. Hunter and his wife remained in the neighborhood and in 1905 located on the farm where they now live, on Section 6, Chatham Township, where he makes a specialty of breeding Percheron horses. This is one of the best farms in the neighborhood, containing 200 acres, most of it under cultivation. Since purchasing this place he has made many improvements in the way of erecting buildings, putting in tilling, etc., and now owns 345 acres in the township. His farm is well stocked with high-grade cattle, hogs and horses, and his Percheron stallion, "Caesar," is well known as one of the finest in Central Illinois, being coal black, 18 hands in height and weighing 2,000 pounds. He also has two pure-bred mares. Though a young man Mr. Hunger has won a good reputation for his intelligence and success in conducting his agricultural business. He takes great interest and pleasure in producing abundant crops, and in looking after the many details necessary in carrying on so large a farm to advantage. He believes in owning and using the latest improved equipment in carrying on his work and takes great interest in the progress and improvement of the community, and especially in the improvement of road conditions, which may be appreciated by examining the roads adjoining his land. He stands well with his neighbors and is popular with his many friends. In politics he is Independent, voting for the Men and Measures he thinks for the best interest of all the people. Having resided in the neighborhood all his lifetime he is well known, is a popular representative of his family, which he has been identified with this community for so many years.

Mr. Hunter is a member of the Christian Church while his wife belongs to the Methodist church. He is also a member of the Masonic Lodge at Loami, and of the I.O.O.F. No. 108 at Loami, and he and his wife are identified with the Order of the Eastern Star of that village.