Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 355. GEORGE WASHINGTON HUNSAKER Among those whose efforts in individual affairs are in a very definite way contributing to the general prosperity of the Willamette Valley stands George Washington Hunsaker, whose well improved farm lies about four and a half miles from Turner, in Marion county, where he is meeting with success, due to his progressive and energetic methods. Mr. Hunsaker is the descendant of old pioneer stock, his paternal grandfather, Joseph Hunsaker, having brought his family across the plains, with ox teams and covered wagons, in 1847. He settled near Turner for a few months and in the spring of 1848 filed on a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, four and a half miles northwest of Turner. This land was part timber and part prairie, on which he built a log house and engaged in raising grain and stock, living on that place until his death, which occurred September 5, 1869. He was the father of eight children, Thomas H., Mrs. Lottie Conser, Daniel, Rev. A. J., Mrs. Margaret Barbero and Mrs. Ellen Morgan, all of whom are deceased; Frances, and one who died before the family came to Oregon. Thomas H. Hunsaker was born in Illinois, September 28, 1824, received his education in the public schools of his native state, and in 1847 accompanied his parents on their removal to Oregon. He bought a relinquishment claim of six hundred and forty acres of land, about four and a half miles from Turner, Marion county, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted the remaining active years of his life, dying April 7, 1888. He married Miss Elizabeth Jane Miller, who was born in Missouri, January 1, 1829, and died October 2, 1903. They became the parents of eight children: Angeline, deceased; George W. ; Elizabeth and Jasper, deceased; Naomi and William L., twins, both deceased ; Mrs. Fannie McKera, of Yamhill county, Oregon, and Mrs. Cora Reeves, of Salem, this state. George W. Hunsaker was born in Polk county, Oregon, on the 24th of March, 1854, and secured his elementary education in the district schools, later attending Willamette University. After leaving school he remained at home about a year, going then to Yamhill county, this state, where he lived for two years. On his return to Marion county he ran his father's and uncle's ranch for two years, and then bought one hundred and sixty acres of land at West Scio, Linn county, where he engaged in the raising of grain and stock, and also during that period engaged in freighting, hauling lumber from the mills in the mountains. After living there nine years, Mr. Hunsaker sold out and moved to Scio, where he was engaged in freighting for five years, and then leased the Washington Phillips ranch, near Scio, which he operated for two years. He next returned to his father's donation claim, a part of which lie had inherited, and also bought the interests of three of the other heirs, so that he now owns two hundred and fifty-four acres of the place. He likewise owns one hundred and twenty acres of good land in Idaho, which he leases. He has made a number of worth-while improvements on the home place, having built a fine home in 1906 and a large and substantial barn in 1912. He follows diversified farming, raising large crops of hay and grain, and has one hundred and eighty head of high-grade Romney Marsh sheep. A man of sound judgment, the success which has crowned his labors is the legitimate result of his persistent and well directed efforts. On October 1, 1879, Mr. Hunsaker was united in marriage to Miss Martha Isabel Nelson, who was born in Yamhill county, Oregon, and is a daughter of Jefferson and Lucretia (Burnett) Nelson. Her father was born in Montgomery county, Tennessee, May 28, 1827, and when two years old accompanied his parents on their removal to Kentucky. In 1831 they became pioneer settlers of Illinois, and there lived until 1850. Mr. Nelson then. joined the gold rush to California, where he and two of his brothers were successful in making a big stake, but their wealth was all stolen from them in San Francisco, while on their way to Oregon. Mr. Nelson came to Yamhill county in 1852 and took up a homestead of three hundred and twenty acres but later sold that and bought four hundred and twenty acres of land in the same locality. He engaged in farming there for many years but eventually retired and moved to McMinnville, where he built a home and spent his remaining days, his death occurring December 17, 1898. His wife died January 5, 1904. Mrs. Hunsaker's maternal ancestral record is found in the sketch of George Burnett, elsewhere in this work. To Mr., and Mrs., Nelson were born seven children: Alice, deceased; Annie, who lives in Salem, Oregon; Mrs. Martha Hunsaker; Mrs. Kate Lucas, in Portland, Oregon; Holt, in McMinnville, Oregon; Ira G., and Fred, both of Portland. Mr. and Mrs. Hunsaker have seven children, as follows: Mrs. Alice Crescent Horner, of Condon, Oregon; Mrs. Ethel Dickey, who lives in Los Angeles, California, and is the mother of two children, Walter, Jr., and Harold; Mrs. Georgia Welborn, of Toledo, Oregon, who is the mother of three children, Cleone, Gale and Marjory; Howard, who is married and has four children, Esther, Mary, Howard, Jr., and Robert M.; Robert, of Tillamook county, Oregon, who is married and has a son, George; Cecil, of Toledo, Oregon, who is married and has a son, Eugene; and Mrs. Dorothy Gore, who lives at Dallas, Oregon, and has a daughter, May. The four first named were born in Linn county and the. three youngest in Marion county, and all have been given the advantage of good educations. Mr. Hunsaker is a member of the Woodmen of the World. He has proven a public-spirited citizen, supporting the best interests of the communities in which he has lived. He served three years as road supervisor in Linn county and two years in that capacity in Marion county. Because of his excellent record and his fine personal qualities, he is held in high regard by his fellowmen and has a host of warm and loyal friends. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2012 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.