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Hunsaker Cemetery ~ Joseph Hunsaker ~ part of the Marion County Pioneer Cemeteries of Oregon
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Hunsaker, Joseph
LAST: Hunsaker FIRST: Joseph MID: 
GENDER: M MAIDEN NAME:  TITLE: 
BORN: 7 Apr 1799 DIED: 15 Sep 1869 BURIED: 
OCCUPATION:  
BIRTH PLACE:  Kentucky
DEATH PLACE: Turner, Marion Co., Oregon
NOTES: 
Name of father Joseph Hunsaker
Maiden name of mother Margaretha Stevenson
1850 OR CENSUS - Joseph Huntsaker [Hunsaker], age 51, occupation farmer, b. Kentucky, is enumerated with Elizabeth, age 46, b. Tennessee, along with Thomas, age 26, b. Illinois, Samuel, age 31, b. Illinois, Andrew, age 17, b. Illinois, Elizabeth, age 15, b. Illinois, Margaret, age
12, b. Oregon, Martha, age 8, b. Oregon, and Charlotte, age 1, b. Oregon.
1860 OR CENSUS - Jos. Hunsaker, age 61, occupation farmer, b. Kentucky, is enumerated with E. Hunsaker, age 55, b. Tennessee, along with A., male, age 25, b. Missouri, M.E., female, age 16, b. Oregon, C.E., female, age 10, b. Oregon, and E., female, age 4, b. Oregon. Also enumerated is M. Smith, age 16, occupation laborer, b. Missouri.
PROBATE – “Hunsaker, Joseph, File #376. Intestate. Died 15 Sep 1869. Adm: Andrew J. Hunsaker, 06 Oct 1869. Heirs: no widow; Thomas H. Hunsaker, about 43, Marion Co.,; Daniel S. Hunsaker, 40, Lane Co.; Andrew J. Hunsaker, 35, Marion Co.; Elizabeth J. Miller, 33, Marion Co. [wife of Wm. T. Miller]; Margaret Barbre, 20, Lane Co. [wife of Thomas Barbre]; Martha E. Morgan, 25, Lane Co. [wife of H. Clay Morgan]; John A. Conser, surviving husband of Charlotte E. Conser, formerly Charlotee E. Hunsaker, Linn Co.”

BIOGRAPHICAL (source – The Baptist Annals of Oregon ,Sketch #11):
Deacon Joseph Hunsaker, 1847.
The year 1847 appears to have been prolific in the arrival of strong energetic, uncompromising Baptists. Not the eloquent preacher, nor the keen logical debater, but the firm, trusting, unyielding one, who would persistently hold fast, and contend for "the faith once delivered to the Saints."
Doubtless God sent them here. Some believe that God specially directs the movements of His children. "For the hairs of your head are all numbered." And God, seeing the need of strong men, sent them. Their special work they did well, for God helped them. When Brother Hunsaker came to Oregon there were but five Baptist ministers on this entire northern coast, counting the two who came that year; and only one more until the fall of 1851. Three or four little churches, numbering half a dozen new members or so, each, struggling for existence, and a few Baptists scattered over the Territory. Whilst the ministers were going to and fro to gather up these scattered sheep, the churches endured hard work; they needed strong men to hold and lead them till they could have an under-shepherd. And here is where such men as Hunsaker, Holman, Fulkerson, Harlow, Cyrus, Leever, Rice, H. N. Hill, Claiborne Hill, Driskill, Lloyd, Myers, Warren, the Smiths, Pruetts, the Millers, Latourette, Failing, Williams, Lenox, Matlock, and many others found their work; these heroes of the cross, none of whom were ordained ministers, but all were able; who, with their noble wives, (for the sisters often did as much as their husbands), nobly and valiantly battled for the Master's cause.
Deacon Joseph Hunsaker was of Scotch descent, born in Kentucky in 1799, but came to Oregon from Missouri, and was a thorough, out-spoken Baptist. For years, he and Deacon Absalom Cornelius, with their wives, were the support of the Shiloh Baptist church. They labored to organize the little body, and bravely tried to keep it alive. Their faith was tried to the utmost. To say nothing of minor troubles, in 1854, their pastor proved recreant; a wolf in sheep's clothing. Then, when this matter was disposed of, and the church began to recuperate, a veteran deacon, who had stood shoulder to shoulder with Brother Hunsaker, lapsed into spiritualism. This was the hardest blow of all. It almost seemed as if the Lord permitted Satan to pour out his fiercest vials of wrath on the devoted little band in order to test their faith. The church dwindled, and many expected it to become extinct. But Father Hunsaker and his wife and the little band held the fort. Firmly and persistently with all the despairing energy and earnestness of a death struggle, they toiled, and prayed, and called on the Lord of Sabaoth for help, and their cries were heard and answered; The little church was saved. But just as the first glimmerings of light began to dawn, the Savior whom they had trusted and " loved so long, said to them, "Your labor is done; Enter into your rest." First she, who was indeed a mother in Israel, with half a county for mourners, such was her worth. And a little after, Brother Hunsaker followed to rejoice with her in the presence of their beloved Lord, but as they went, their mantle fell on their son, who has built up that church anew; and labored all over the coast as a successful missionary, whose "praise is in all the churches," for he has been instrumental during the last 40 years, as much as any man among us, in bringing souls to Christ. That little church has since had its vicissitudes; its trials and its triumphs; but it has never passed a darker period, nor one which more severely tried its faith and patience. A biography is unnecessary to show that Brother Hunsaker was truly a man of God, and that he did good work in planting the Cross on these distant shores. Yet a peculiarity or two may not be amiss. Amiability, or that kindness of disposition which is attractive, is a characteristic of the family. To love one another is their delight. Many a young man, a stranger in a strange land, was made to feel that this family was like his own; that Sister Hunsaker was nearly like a mother to him; a counselor, a friend, They were ever ready to help those in need; they never turned a deaf ear to distress. Nay, they anticipated, and the relief came before the cry. Many incidents of this, as well as incidents showing their anxiety for the prosperity and growth of the church could be given, but space forbids. The entire community had the utmost confidence in Brother Hunsaker. Once quite an improbable story was being told. A red-hot infidel, one who "neither feared God, nor regarded man," stoutly denied it. "But Mr. So-and-So says it is true"--"I don't believe a word of it!"--"But Mr. Hunsaker says it is so." --"Uncle Joe?"--"Yes,"--"W ell, it is no use to talk then. If Uncle Joe Hunsaker says it's so, it's so, and no mistake." His religion was a living religion; and so was that of his wife. It showed itself in their every day walk; in all that they said or did; not in loud professions, but in quiet, loving action. Their godly walk, their desire to honor their Savior in every thing was plainly manifest. T o them, more than to any other, does Shiloh church owe its strength and prosperity in later years.
OBITUARY: 
Saturday, October 2, 1869
The subject of this sketch, Joseph Hunsaker, departed this life September 15th, 1869, aged 70 years. The deceased was a native of Kentucky, born July 4, 1799. In 1811 he with his parents, immigrated to Illinois. In 1834 he moved to Missouri and in 1847 he came to Illinois. In 1842 he connected himself with the Baptist Church, and in 1851 he was elected Deacon of the Shiloh Church (Missionary Baptist) which office he retained to his death. He lost his companion in 1864, since which time earth seems to have lost all its charms to him. His sickness was brief, but his sufferings were acute, yet he bore all without a murmer and with true Christian resignation.
On the 12th ult. He returned home sick and on the 15th he quietly breathed out his life – while the writer of this, for the moment, was alone by his side – without the change of a feature or the motion of a muscle, he fell asleep in Jesus.
Father Hunsaker was a man much beloved by those who knew him best. As a neighbor he was kind and obliging; as a citizen, peaceable and philanthropic, as a Christian, consistent but reserved. The wearied itinerant preacher always found a stopping-place and many a home at his house. Seventeen years personal acquaintance enables the writer thus to bear testimony to the excellence of his character. May the living profit by the virtues of the dead.
W.G. West
Jefferson, Oregon
September 21, 1869
Pacific Christian Advocate
INSCRIPTION: 
SOURCES: 
J. Hunsaker
Marion County Oregon Probate Records, Vol. 2, pg 125
1850 OR CENSUS (Marion Co., FA #291)
1860 OR CENSUS (Marion Co., Southern precinct, FA #3305)
PCA
Doran Wilde (http://www.dkwilde.com/Genealogy/Hunsaker/)
ROW:   
 
 

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