Samuel McClure Hunsaker, who is closely identified with the farming and stock raising interests of Saline Township, is a native of Alexander County, Illinois, born in 1835, and is the fifth of twelve children born to Charles and Rebecca (McClure) Hunsaker, natives of Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively.

Charles Hunsaker was married in Illinois. His parents were pioneers of Union County, Illinois. The father died in Tennessee, after which the mother came with her children as pioneers to Missouri.

He was a particular friend of Daniel Boone; was in the War of 1812, and was wounded by an Indian. Charles Hunsaker emigrated to Cole County, Missouri, in 1837, and settled near what is now High Point, Moniteau County.

Here he remained until his death, which occurred in February, 1883, at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife died in 1885. S. M. Hunsaker was reared to manhood on the farm and received his education in the subscription schools of Moniteau County, in a primitive log cabin.

He was married in Miller County in 1859 to Elizabeth Allen, a native of Carlyle, Illinois, and the daughter of Hudson and Mary (Stubblefield) Allen, both natives of Tennessee.

The parents of Mrs. Hunsaker were pioneers of Illinois, and farmed in that State until 1846, when they moved to Missouri and settled in Saline Township, Miller County, where they passed their last days, the father dying in 1864 and the mother in 1884.

After his marriage Mr. Hunsaker settled on a farm in Harrison Township, Moniteau County, and during the late war he enlisted at Salem, Dent County, Missouri, in 1863, in Company D, Fifth Missouri State Militia Cavalry, and was mustered into service at Rolla, Missouri. He was in the battle of Jefferson City and Boonville, Missouri, and was honorably discharged in July, 1865, at St. Louis.

He then returned to Miller County, whither he had removed previous to his enlistment. In 1864 he purchased a partially improved farm of 160 acres, and on this he has since resided. He has increased the number of acres to 180, and is now one of the prominent farmers of the county. He has dealt extensively in stock and has an excellent grade.

Although not active in politics he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of B. H. Porch Post, No. 135, at Olean, and he and Mrs. Hunsaker are members of the Baptist Church.

To their marriage were born three children, one now living: DeWitt C., died in 1885 at the age of twenty-two years; Mary E., and Emma A., who died in 1886, at the age of sixteen years.

Mary E. is at home. Although starting life with limited means, Mr. Hunsaker now has a good farm, on which have been found mineral deposits and considerable mineral has been taken from the same.