John C. Hunton

Colonel John C. Hunton (January 18, 1839 - September 4, 1928) was an American Confederate veteran, pioneer and rancher. He was the founding president of the Wyoming Pioneer Association.

John C. Hunton
Born	January 18, 1839 Madison County, Virginia, U.S.
Died	September 4, 1928 Torrington, Wyoming, U.S.
Resting place	Lakeview Cemetery, Cheyenne, Wyoming, U.S.
Occupation	Rancher
Spouse(s)	Blanche Taylor

Early life

John C. Hunton was born on January 18, 1839 in Madison County, Virginia.[1] During the American Civil War of 1861–1865, he served in the 7th Virginia Infantry of the Confederate States Army.[1][2] He was also in Pickett's Charge during the Battle of Gettysburg.[3] Later in life, he became known as "Colonel" Hunton.[3]

Career

After the war, Hunton worked in freighting in Missouri and Nebraska until 1867, when he moved to the Wyoming Territory and became a clerk to the post-trader at Fort Laramie.[1] From 1888 to 1890, he took over as the post-trader.[1]

Hunton established a ranch along the Chugwater Creek in Bordeaux, Wyoming, where he raised cattle.[2] He was the first president of the Wyoming Pioneer Association.[2] He was also "an authority on Indian warfare,"[4] and a diarist.[2]

Personal life, death and legacy

Hunton married Blanche Taylor.[2]

Hunton's grave.

Hunton died on September 4, 1928 in Torrington, Wyoming.[1] He was buried in the Lakeview Cemetery in Cheyenne, Wyoming.[2] In 2010, the United Daughters of the Confederacy added a Confederate marker to his grave.[2]

Further reading

• Flannery, L. G., ed. (1956). John Hunton's diary. Lingle, Wyoming: Guide-Review. OCLC 5156868.
• Flannery, L. G. (1963). This old gentleman John Hunton. Fort Laramie. OCLC 38743487.
• Griske, Michael, ed. (2005). The Diaries of John Hunton. Westminster, Maryland: Heritage Books, Inc.

References

1. "WYO. PIONEER DIES AT HOME. John Hunton Succumbs to Paralysis at Age of 89". The Billings Gazette. September 5, 1928. p. 4. Retrieved August 21, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
2. Barron, Joan (September 5, 2010). "Wyoming pioneer John C. Hunton gets Confederate gravestone". The Billings Gazette. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
3. "Visiting Old Fort Laramie". The Nebraska State Journal. Lincoln, Nebraska. December 19, 1909. p. 26. Retrieved August 22, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "WYOMING AUTHORITY ON INDIAN WARFARE IS DEAD". The Independent Record. Helena, Montana. September 5, 1928. p. 12. Retrieved August 22, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.