John Rafas Hunter (1870 - 1940)

These two pictures are of John Rafas Hunter (1870-1940) and his wife Lilly Hill (1875-1972). John is one of great grandfather’s son, or a brother to my grandfather.

I think John was probably born in Benton County, Arkansas, or around Grandbury, Texas. He arrived with his parents and siblings in Cherokee County, Georgia, in 1879, where he spent the rest of his life.

Three of their children either married steel workers or was one.

The oldest daughter Elaine married Paul W. Poor. They moved to Sheffield Village, Ohio, where he became manager of a steel mill. Also later he was the county’s Sheriff. They had five chiclren.

The next to the oldest daughter Emma married Andrew Abercrombie. They moved to Birmingham where Andrew worked in a steel mill. They had four children. After John Rafas died, Emma’s mother moved to Birmingham to live with Emma and her family.

The only son Walter Clarence “Brother” Hunter moved to East Chicago, Indiana, and worked in a steel mill.

And some of the next generation of males went into the steel business.

Don't you know when they got together for Christmas the biggest topic of discussion among the men folk was the latest techniques in steel producing?

The youngest daughter Guyrine died at age 18 of a rare disease. Her female friends and cousins were honorary pallbearers.

One of the real pallbearers was a young man named William “Will” Obediah Tyson. Will’s sister Minnie, married Guyrine’s uncle Frank Paris Hunter, which in time I became their grandson. Small world.