Documents note the homestead of Joseph and Elizabeth J. Hunsaker dated September 30, 1852. Surveyors note that the landscape was “Level Prairie Soil” and “Oak Openings” on higher ground to the West. To the east of the Hunsaker parcel, the surveyor noted, “Timber Fir, Balm Gilead, Ash and Maple.” (Today, Balm Gilead would be known as the Balsam poplar tree. It was likely that the tree was Black cottonwood.)
Below, Township No. 9 South, Ranch No 2 West in the Willamette Meridian was surveyed and approved on August 1, 1860 by William W. Chapman, Surveyor General, noting all homesteaders by parcel. Red outline notes the homestead of Joseph and Elizabeth Hunsaker.
On January 24, 1866, President Andrew Johnson signed the document number 1032 giving 640.46 acres of land to “Joseph Hunsaker and wife”.
Hunsaker Cemetery
In November of 2020, it was a delight to meet brother and sister, Ron and Diane Hunsaker, at the Hunsaker Cemetery.
We have lived and worked here for almost 40 years on 150 acres of the 640-acre donation claim given to Joseph and Elizabeth Hunsaker, 154 years ago. Through that time, we never knew about the Hunsaker Cemetery nearby and which was established as part of the deed in the donation claim. It is amazing to learn of the awe and reverence still given to the pioneers that trekked here, astride their horse or blazing their trail with wagon trains, bringing a completely different set of spiritual and cultural values to the Santiam Valley. To learn more about the Hunsaker Cemetery:
To learn more: http://www.marioncountycemetery.com/hunsaker/index.php
Interesting articles include:
“How Postmaster Adopted A Cemetery,” by Errol Hogan, Statesman Journal, June 21, 1980 “Ownership of Cemetery is Back in Family’s Hands,“ by Capi Lynn, Statesman Journal, October 25, 2007
Kathy Bridges, Ron Hunsaker, Ken Dunder, November 8, 2020
Ken Dunder, Ron and Diane Hunsaker, Hunsaker Cemetery, November 8, 2020
Elizabeth Hunsaker
HEADSTONE INSCRIPTION:
Wife of Joseph Hunsaker which she remained to her death as a companion she was kind and attentive, as a mother she was tender and affectionate, as a neighbor she was esteemed most by those who knew her best; as a Christian she was devotedly pious and dearly manifesting to the last that she had lain up her treasure in heaven. She has gone to her reward Reader, are you prepared to meet her? There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. From: http://www.marioncountycemetery.com/hunsaker/records/display_record.php?id=4288
Joseph Hunsaker
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 murmur 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
From: http://www.marioncountycemetery.com/hunsaker/records/display_record.php?id=4292
Elizabeth J. Hunsaker
OBITUARY:
Hunsaker, Elizabeth J. June 18, 1864 in Portland, Ore., aged 60 years. Wife of Joseph Hunsaker. Pacific Christian Advocate
Biographical: In July [Jun], 1864, it met a severe loss in the death of Sister Elizabeth G. [J.] Hunsaker, truly, “A Mother in Israel.” Her consistent Christian walk, and exceeding amiability of character, had endeared her to the entire community [Jefferson area] one of the mainstays to the little church. Probably the death of no other person would have been so deeply lamented. But the Savior called, and she went rejoicing.
The Baptist Annals of Oregon, pg 136
From:
http://www.marioncountycemetery.com/hunsaker/records/display_record.php?id=4288
How Did the Road Get Its Name?
The farm we now own was first settled by Joseph Hunsaker and his wife Elizabeth Jane King who journeyed to Oregon in a wagon train in 1847. Their son, Thomas Howard Hunsaker, purchased the land north of this parcel, which was given by Oregon Donation Claim to Samuel Field through a donation land grant. A road was built between the two homesteads and was known by the community as Hunsaker Road.
In 1974, Marion County began changing roads from numbers to names. On June 5, 1974 the committee named Road No. 940 as Hunsaker Road. After that meeting, however, the name of the road was changed to Lucas Road. Thence began the dispute of the name of the road.
On February, 1976, Marion County Circuit Judge Jena Schlegel dismissed a petition for writ of review filed by the John and Donna Lucas. For prosperity, the 2-year detailed history of the name of Hunsaker Road is shared by Ron Hunsaker. Naming of Hunsaker Road
Banner: Marker, Willamette Meridian initial point, Willamette Stone State Heritage Site, Portland Courtesy Oregon State Parks. https://www.historylink.org/File/9501