James W. Hunter, farmer - P. O. Piqua; born in Miami Co., June 18, 1917; is the son of Joseph and Jane I (Eaton) Hunter; his father was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother in Ireland; the grandfather was also a native of Pennsylvania, but the great- grandfather was a native of Ireland. Joseph and Jane, the parents, had born to them eleven children, one dying in infancy, and ten growing up to maturity, viz., William, Martha and Margaret, all now deceased; John G., living in Nebraska; Mary Ann, now Mrs. John Patterson; James W., Jane Eliza, Joseph Baxter and Eleanor, all three now deceased; and David Eaton, living in Illinois. Joseph, the father, died in March, 1849 ; Jane, the mother, died in November, 1839. They came to this county in 1811, being among the early pioneers; arriving in company with James Johnston, who is further mentioned in the sketch of William Johnston in this work. They were here during the war of 1812, and took part, more or less, in scouting after the Indians. Theirs was a life of hardships and danger, coming and opening out right in the wilderness in the midst of war; but they endured it all faithfully, and lived to see the country cleared up, and the comforts of civilized life brought to their doors. Mr. Hunter, the subject of whom we write, lived with his father till of age. He was united in marriage, Oct. 25, 1843, with Maria Irwin, daughter of John and Fanny (Nelson) Irwin, who were both natives of Ireland. By this union they had eight children, of whom six are now living, viz., Joseph Irwin, dying in infancy; William Emerson, now deceased; John Irwin; Joseph Allen, married and living in Zanesville, Ohio; Frank E., married and living in Piqua; and Fanny J., Maggie E. and Thomas Leigh, single and living at home. Mr. Hunter, after his marriage, located in Shelby Co., where they lived till 1849, when he bought the farm upon which he still resides; he now owns 140 acres of land, of which about 100 acres are in good cultivation, and cleared it all himself but about 20 acres, erecting all the buildings on the place. Mr. Hunter has been a very active, industrious man, and one who has encouraged advancement in all. improvements; being the first in this part of the township to use the reaper, the field roller, the sewing machine, the piano, etc. He was formerly a Democrat, politically, but was always an anti-slavery man, which of a necessity brought him into the Republican party, where he has since remained. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, his membership reaching over a period of forty years.