John was born at
Madison, Madison Co., Virginia, USA, on January 18, 1839.
1 He was the son of
Alexander B. Hunton and
Mary Elizabeth Carpenter.
1 John served in the military at
Harpers Ferry, Jefferson Co., West Virginia, USA, in 1859.
1 He resided at
Fort Laramie Region, USA, after 1867.
1 He is a work associate of an unknown person at
Fort Laramie Region, USA, in 1871. In the spring of 1871 Col. W.G. Bullock put up a house, stable, corral and a small shop on Laramie river near the present site of Ulva, and put a few head cattle and horses there, but the Indians where so annoying he moved all his stock to Bordeaux in the spring of 1872. (Chugwater Creek). The buildings at this place were covered with 3-in. planks that had been used for flooring on the Wagon Bridge constructed across the Laramie at the fort in 1853. Mr. & Mrs. Bullock deposed of their furniture and much of their personal belongings and moved to the railroad house in Cheyenne that was the best hotel in the region at the time. They lived there until Mrs. Bullock's death on Aug. 8, 1879. Her remains were taken to Bedford County, Virginia and laid to rest besides her two children.[Source?]
William G. Bullock, another Fort Laramie old-timer, operated a ranch up the Laramie beyond Cuny and Ecoffey's, and he also partnered with Hutton on the Chugwater. All together there were at least three cattle ranches on the Laramie River, ten on Chugwater Creek, and dozens more on the road to Cheyenne. Small and large, these establishments interacted in countless ways with Fort Laramie, especially during the event-filled year of 1876.33
[Hedren, Paul L., Fort Laramie in Eighteen Seventy-six: ,1988, pp.45-46]
In 1871 he [John Hunton] became half owner, in partnership with W.G. Bullock, of the SO cattle, understood to be the first herd in the area, aside from work oxen. This herd, according to Hunton, was started in 1868 by a man named Mills who brought the stock from northern Kansas. Hunton also recalled that the second herd of cattle was the Circle Block brand on Horse Creek, some 50 miles northeast of Cheyenne, owned by Edward Creighton.
[Hunton Diaries. pgs. 10-11]
On Red Cloud's return from Washington, D.C. Red Cloud chose W.G. Bullock as his trader and Ben B. Mills as his Agent, although they were never appointed. According to a report made by Silas Reed, Surveyor Gen. of the Territory of Wyoming on Sept. 12, 1871, Bullock was listed as having 4000 cattle on Horse Creek (Bullock & Hunton Firm).
"Sat, Feb 6 [1875] - (Bordeaux). Mr. Bullock arrived ar Ranch with John Philney on coach. Govt. train passed going to Red Cloud. John Phillips went home.
"Thurs, Feb 11[1875] - [Bordeaux ] Went to Fort Laramie with Mr. Bullock and Jim Harwood. Stoped at Sutler's Store all night. Charley and Jim went for hay.
"Sun, Feb 14 [1875] - Left Fort and went to Mr. Bullock's ranch on Laramie where he and I staid all night with L.P. Justy who has charge of Bullock's Durham cattle. [Hunton Diaries. [Pg.42]
"Mon, Feb 22 [1875] - (Bordeaux). Jim Humton looked for ponies. Staid out all night. Looked for cattle. Dined and fed at Owens. Mr Bullock went to Butcher Phillips with Portugee Phillips. [Hunton Diaries pg. 44]
"Fryday, Feb 26 [1875] - [Bordeaux ] Started to Fetterman with 19 young steer for beef & wagon to take back hides. Harwood & Forsythe helping to drive cattle. Four bull calves for Phillips. Stoped at Phillips all night. P. gone to Peak. Bullock going to Laramie today. [Hunton Diaries pg. 44].
In his [John Hunton] accounts for the month of February, 1875 Hunton shows the following receipt, …..His principle expenditures were W. G. Bullock $135.00….[Hunton Diaries. Pg 45]
"Sat, Mar 13 [1875] - [Fetterman]. Left wagon in Company with Gvt team and rode with Col. Mason to Ranch. (Bordeaux). Nooned at Phillips and got to Ranch before sunset. Mr. Bullock at Fort Laramie. [Hunton Diaries. Pg. 47]
"Mon, Mar 22 [1875] - Went with Hass and Swartz to Phillips. Nooned. To Bullocks Ranch and 3 Mile Ranch and to Fort Laramie where I saw Mr. Bullock and staid all night at Sutler's Store. Capt. Van Vliet passed going to Omaha. [Hunton Diaries, pg. 48]
"Fryday, Apr 2 [1875] - Went to Fort Laramie to hire butcher, staid all night at 3 Mile Ranch. Passed Bullock place, Justy agrees to remain there. Snow and rain storm PM. [Hunton Diaries, pg. 51].
2 He married
Lallee Garnier circa 1874.
1 John died in 1928.