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Below is a family biography included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1898.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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REV. JESSE A. HUNGATE, the beloved pastor of the Homer Baptist Church, though still a young man, is one who has labored in many distant fields, and one to whom the deserved rewards of a useful life have come in rich profusion.

Mr. Hungate is the oldest son of the Rev. James De Pau and Phoebe Jane (Lemon) Hungate. He was born at Salem, Ill., May 20, 1858. The father has spent a long life in the Master’s work, much of it under the direction of the American Baptist Home Missionary Society; his labors covering the fields of Illinois, Nebraska, Oregon, Colorado and Kansas. In these states just named except the last the subject of our sketch passed his childhood and youth. He prepared for college mainly at the Blair High School of Blair, Nebraska. Immediately following his graduation from high school, he taught for three years in Nebraska, being at one time principal of the graded schools at Lyons, that state. He was licensed to preach by the First Baptist Church of Blair, whereupon he gave up teaching and decided to equip himself still further for his chosen calling. In the fall of 1877, Mr. Hungate came east, and entered upon a course of study at Madison, now Colgate University, at Hamilton, N. Y. After completing the prescribed course of studies in the collegiate department of this institution, he accepted a call under the A. B. H. M. Society, and labored for two years in Boone County, Neb., with headquarters at Albion. In that field he was formally ordained a minister of the Gospel, November 4, 1880. During his work in the State of Nebraska, the membership of the flocks in his charge increased two hundred per cent. A strong church society was also organized, and a church edifice erected and dedicated at Cedar Rapids, Boone County, Neb. Mr. Hungate returned to Hamilton, N. Y., in 1882, and entered the theological department of his alma mater.

While pursuing his higher course he constantly acted as a supply, filling pulpits at Schuyler’s Lake and Springfield Center, Otsego County, and at Walton, Delaware County, N. Y. He was preaching at the latter place, when he was graduated, and for one year thereafter he remained with that charge. During that pastorate, thirty souls united with the church, and a large and beautiful parsonage was erected. Rev. Mr. Hungate accepted a call to Dundee, Yates County, N. Y., in 1886. This was a very difficult field, with a very unfavorable history back of it. During his ministry there, he put forth every effort in his power, and most gratifying results came. Over 130 people united with the church; a new and well appointed edifice was built; and property secured to the amount of $25,000.00, all clear from debt. His whole pastorate there was pleasant, profitable and harmonious. He resigned only to accept an urgent call from the First Baptist Church of Hornellsville, N. Y. This change was made in November, 1890. In Hornellsville our subject found a large and exacting field for his tried talents. His success may be judged from the fact that in the four years, which constituted his stay there, 230 additions were made to his congregation. During this time, too, the Second Baptist Church was organized, Mr. Hungate being an active force in putting it on its feet. While in Hornellsville, a new parsonage was purchased next to the church.

Mr. Hungate came to Homer in 1894, and assumed the pastorate of the Homer Baptist Church. His usual success has followed him here. The church building was dedicated a year before he assumed charge, but he found much to do outside of his regular pastoral work. The parsonage has been improved to the extent of $300.00, and a new barn, costing $1,000.00, has been put up. Over 50 new names have been added to the church roll and everything is in a most satisfactory and prosperous condition. Mr. Hungate finds time to edit and publish a bright monthly magazine, called the “Parish Visitor,” which has a circulation of over 500 copies per month.

The Rev. Mr. Hungate is moderator of the Cortland Baptist Association, and chairman of the State Conference of Baptist Ministers. He represents the Eighth District on the State Convention Committee on Missions, Home and Foreign, and is a valued member of the Committee of Bible Work of the Baptist State Missionary Convention. He is vice-president of the Homer Floricultural Association, and is the acting president of the same.

Mr. Hungate wedded Lillian L. Lidell of Schuyler’s Lake in 1884, Two children have been born to them, but only one survives, Pierre J.

In the preparation of his discourses, Mr. Hungate is exceedingly pains-taking. They are all carefully arranged and written. With this manuscript he becomes so familiar that when the time arrives for its public delivery he needs no manuscript or notes; neither does he use a pulpit; but stands as a man among his fellowmen, seeking to help them, not by cant or sensation, but by clear and manly exposition and application of scriptural truths.

Mr. Hungate is a broad man, and all human tendencies awake in him an interest. He has found time in his busy life to look to the social as well as the spiritual side, and is a member of the Masonic Order of high rank, belonging to the Hornellsville Lodge, No. 331, F. & A. M., and the Steuben Chapter, No. 101, R. A. M.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published in 1898. 

View additional Cortland County, New York family biographies here: Cortland County, New York Biographies

View a map of 1897 Cortland County, New York here: Cortland County, New York Map

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