Samuel David Hunt was a man whose life represented the resilience, dedication, and values of rural America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born on 15 May 1877 in Ozark, Missouri, Samuel was the son of Jeremiah V. Hunt and Martha Ann Craigo, who were in their mid-thirties at the time of his birth. He grew up in a small farming community at a time when the United States was still recovering from the Civil War, and Missouri itself was adapting to shifting economic and social conditions.
Samuel David Hunt later married Mary Elizabeth Harvey in 1903, and together they raised a large family of six sons and three daughters, leaving behind a legacy that connected his life story to the broader history of Missouri. His life journey, from his early years in Jasper Township to his final days in Carthage, reflected the struggles and triumphs of a hardworking American who lived through some of the most transformative decades in U.S. history.
Details Summary: Samuel David Hunt
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Samuel David Hunt |
Date of Birth | 15 May 1877 |
Place of Birth | Ozark, Missouri, United States |
Parents | Jeremiah V. Hunt (father) and Martha Ann Craigo (mother) |
Spouse | Mary Elizabeth Harvey (married 4 January 1903, Ozark, Missouri) |
Children | At least 6 sons and 3 daughters |
Residences | Jasper Township (1880s), Caruthersville (1930), Carthage, Jasper County (later years) |
Occupation | Likely farmer/laborer, engaged in rural Missouri work and community life |
Death | 14 May 1952 (aged 74), Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri |
Burial | Dunklin, Missouri, United States |
Legacy | Remembered as a devoted husband, father, and hardworking Missourian whose family carried forward his values |
Early Life and Family Background
The early life of Samuel David Hunt was deeply influenced by the values instilled by his parents and the environment of Ozark, Missouri. He was born into a household where his father, Jeremiah V. Hunt, and his mother, Martha Ann Craigo, were already well-established community members. Missouri in the 1870s was a state marked by recovery and rebuilding, as the Civil War had left lingering divisions, but rural areas such as Ozark were steadily developing agricultural stability.
Samuel’s parents raised him in an atmosphere rooted in faith, farming, and the tight-knit bonds of family and community. Growing up in this context gave Samuel a foundation of hard work, perseverance, and devotion to family life—qualities that would define his adulthood. The family’s presence in Jasper Township placed them in a rural community where families depended on one another for survival, both socially and economically, creating a deeply interwoven culture of mutual support.
Growing Up in Missouri
Childhood in Jasper Township, Ozark County offered a mixture of challenges and opportunities for young Samuel David Hunt. The rural landscape of Missouri in the late 1800s was dominated by farming, livestock raising, and small-town traditions. Families like the Hunts were expected to contribute to the household from an early age, and children often learned essential farming skills alongside receiving a modest education. The 1880 census records indicate that Samuel grew up in a community where farming was the primary occupation, and the rhythm of life was dictated by planting and harvest seasons.
Education during that time was typically provided in one-room schoolhouses, but much of a child’s learning came from daily experiences in the field, at home, and within the church. Life in post-Civil War Missouri meant that traditions, storytelling, and family gatherings were not only sources of entertainment but also methods of teaching resilience and cultural continuity. Samuel’s upbringing in such an environment prepared him for a life grounded in work ethic, faith, and commitment to family.
Marriage with Mary Elizabeth Harvey
The marriage of Samuel David Hunt to Mary Elizabeth Harvey on 4 January 1903 in Ozark, Missouri, marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership rooted in love, faith, and shared responsibility. Their union represented the values of early 20th-century rural America, where family was the cornerstone of stability and strength. Together, they built a home filled with dedication and hard work, raising a large family of nine children—six sons and three daughters—who became the heart of their legacy.
Mary Elizabeth supported Samuel not only as a wife but also as a partner in managing the household and navigating the challenges of farm life, ensuring their children were nurtured with strong values of perseverance, unity, and faith. Their marriage stood as a testament to enduring commitment during an era when raising a big family required extraordinary strength and resilience.
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Who Was Mary Elizabeth Harvey?
Mary Elizabeth Harvey was the devoted wife of Samuel David Hunt, whom she married on 4 January 1903 in Ozark, Missouri. She became the cornerstone of their large household, raising six sons and three daughters while supporting Samuel through the challenges of rural life in the early 20th century. Women like Mary Elizabeth played an essential role in family survival during that era, managing not only domestic duties such as cooking, sewing, and child-rearing but also often assisting with farming, gardening, and community responsibilities.
Though less recorded in official documents compared to men, her influence was profound in shaping her children’s lives, instilling in them values of faith, hard work, and resilience. Mary Elizabeth represented the unsung heroines of rural America, whose strength and dedication kept families united through times of economic hardship, societal change, and national events like the Great Depression. Her legacy, carried forward by her children and descendants, ensures that her role as both a mother and wife remains an integral part of the Hunt family history.
Children of Samuel David Hunt
The children of Samuel David Hunt and Mary Elizabeth Harvey were a central part of his legacy, as their large family represented the typical rural American household of the early 1900s. With six sons and three daughters, the Hunts were deeply connected to both their local community and the traditions of large farming families, where children were essential contributors to daily survival.
Sons often learned farming, carpentry, or trades from their father, while daughters assisted with household responsibilities and local church activities. Though not all of their names are widely documented, each child played a role in carrying forward the family’s legacy through their own families, careers, and communities.
Having nine children was not unusual in rural Missouri, but it required resilience and resourcefulness, especially during times of economic hardship like the Great Depression. The descendants of Samuel and Mary Elizabeth continue to reflect the strength and values instilled by their parents, ensuring that the family’s name and history remain alive across generations.
Work and Daily Life
The daily life of Samuel David Hunt revolved around work, family, and faith. Like many men of his time, he was likely engaged in farming or labor-related trades, which were the primary economic activities in both Ozark and later in Caruthersville, Pemiscot County.
Farming required long hours, from sunrise to sunset, tending crops, livestock, and ensuring food security for his family. Beyond farming, he may have participated in local labor or trade opportunities that supported his community’s economy. Daily life in Missouri at the time also revolved around church gatherings, community events, and seasonal traditions, all of which reinforced the bonds of small-town living.
Faith played a critical role in sustaining families during hard times, and Samuel’s participation in church activities would have shaped both his personal life and his children’s upbringing. His life exemplified the spirit of rural America, where work ethic, family, and community formed the pillars of daily existence.
Later Years and Residences
By the 1930 census, Samuel David Hunt was recorded as living in Caruthersville, Pemiscot County, Missouri, a region that was developing economically due to its agricultural opportunities. The move may have been motivated by the search for better farmland, economic opportunities, or the needs of his growing family.
As he aged, Samuel witnessed profound changes in society, from the spread of automobiles to the electrification of rural towns. Living into the 1950s meant that he experienced shifts in both technology and culture, adapting to a world that was far more modern than the one he was born into.
His later years were marked by the presence of his children and grandchildren, ensuring that family remained a central part of his life. This stage of life also highlighted the wisdom and stability that older family members contributed to younger generations, making Samuel a respected figure within both his family and community.
Historical Context of His Lifetime
The lifespan of Samuel David Hunt spanned an extraordinary period of American history, and his life was inevitably shaped by major national and global events. Born during the expansion of the Industrial Revolution, he witnessed the rise of railroads, mechanized farming, and the growth of American cities. He lived through World War I (1914–1918), which affected communities even in rural Missouri as young men went off to serve and families supported the war effort.
The Great Depression (1929 onwards) was another defining period, as families like Samuel’s had to endure severe economic hardships, relying on farming and community support to survive. By the time of World War II, Samuel was older, but he saw many families—including possibly his sons—affected by military service and the shifting economy. These historical events framed his life, making him part of a generation that endured, adapted, and ultimately contributed to the strength of American society during times of great challenge.
Death and Burial
On 14 May 1952, just one day before his 75th birthday, Samuel David Hunt passed away in Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri. His death marked the conclusion of a long life that had spanned from the Reconstruction Era through the mid-20th century. He was buried in Dunklin, Missouri, leaving behind not only his children and grandchildren but also a story of perseverance that was typical of many rural American families.
His passing represented more than just the end of an individual life—it symbolized the closing of a chapter for his generation, one that had witnessed immense change yet held firmly to traditional values of family, faith, and community. Local records and cemetery records stand as testaments to his presence in Missouri, ensuring that his memory endures in both written and physical forms.
Legacy of Samuel David Hunt
The legacy of Samuel David Hunt lies not in fame or fortune but in the enduring influence he had as a father, husband, and community member. His commitment to raising a large family, providing for them through the hardships of the early 20th century, and embodying the values of hard work and faith made him a cornerstone of his family’s history. The descendants of Samuel and Mary Elizabeth carry forward his legacy, continuing the traditions, resilience, and stories that he passed down.
His life serves as an example of the countless men and women who built America from its rural roots, often unnoticed by history books but essential to the cultural fabric of the nation. In this sense, Samuel’s story is both personal and universal, connecting his family to the larger narrative of rural Missouri and American history.
Genealogical Importance
For genealogists and family historians, the story of Samuel David Hunt is an invaluable piece of heritage. His life can be traced through census documents, marriage records, and cemetery archives, providing researchers with tangible connections to Missouri’s past. By studying Samuel’s life, genealogists not only preserve the memory of one man but also gain insight into the daily realities of rural American families in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Records of his children further extend the family tree, linking past generations to present ones.
The preservation of such stories is vital, as they provide descendants with a sense of identity, continuity, and belonging. Genealogical research ensures that men like Samuel are not forgotten, but rather celebrated as part of the living history of their families and communities.
Conclusion
The life of Samuel David Hunt, from his birth in 1877 to his passing in 1952, tells the story of a man who embodied the values of family, hard work, and resilience. He was born into a Missouri still healing from the Civil War, raised in a farming community, and lived long enough to see the world transformed by wars, industrial progress, and cultural change.His marriage to Mary Elizabeth Harvey and the raising of nine children defined much of his existence, while his quiet yet significant contributions as a father and community member left a legacy that endures through generations.
Remembering Samuel David Hunt not only honors his personal story but also highlights the importance of preserving family history for future generations. His life, though ordinary by historical standards, was extraordinary in its reflection of the spirit of rural America.
FAQs
1. When was Samuel David Hunt born?
Samuel David Hunt was born on 15 May 1877 in Ozark, Missouri, United States.
2. Who were the parents of Samuel David Hunt?
His father was Jeremiah V. Hunt, and his mother was Martha Ann Craigo, both respected members of their Missouri community.
3. Who did Samuel David Hunt marry?
He married Mary Elizabeth Harvey on 4 January 1903 in Ozark, Missouri, and together they raised a large family.
4. How many children did Samuel David Hunt have?
He was the father of at least six sons and three daughters, making his family one of the large rural households typical of early 20th-century Missouri.
5. When and where did Samuel David Hunt die?
He passed away on 14 May 1952 in Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri, just one day before his 75th birthday, and he was buried in Dunklin, Missouri.