My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH D. HUNTER, guide-roller, Etna, was born Jan. 17, 1847, in Shaler township. His father, Joseph Hunter, was a native of New Jersey, and of Scotch descent. He came to this county when a little boy, accompanied by his parents, Joseph and Mary E. Hunter. He was a blacksmith by occupation, but followed the sickle-maker’s trade later in life. He married Catherine, daughter of Henry and Barbara (Moyer) Boyer. Henry Boyer came from New York and settled in Pittsburgh in 1803, and there cleared the ground and built a house where the county courthouse now stands. He was a gunsmith by trade, and a little above Etna built a tunnel to make a race for his mill, and manufactured guns, in which occupation his daughter, Catherine, assisted him. The latter is the only survivor of eight children. She was born Aug. 13, 1813, and is the mother of six children: Matthew C., John S., James C., Joseph D., William H. and Mary E. Hunter. Of the above, Joseph D. was born Jan. 17, 1847. At the age of ten years, after the death of his father, he entered the Etna Iron-works, and thus helped to support his widowed mother. He has been employed twenty-nine years in the mill, and is one of the company’s most trusted men. He married Mattie E., daughter of George Taylor, and they have four children: Mabel E., Clarence J., Oliver E. and Mary C. Mr. Hunter has been a delegate of the I. O. O. F. and E. A. U. He has always taken a deep interest in societies and the affairs of Etna.