W. Godfrey Hunter

Who was W. Godfrey Hunter?

Whiteside Godfrey Hunter was a U.S. Representative from Kentucky.

Born near Belfast, Ireland, Hunter completed preparatory studies. Immigrated to the United States in 1858 and settled in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He studied medicine in Philadelphia and was admitted to practice. Surgeon in the Union Army during the Civil War. He moved to Burkesville, Kentucky, at the close of the war. He served as member of the State house of representatives 1874-1878. He served as delegate to the 1880 and 1892 Republican National Conventions. United States Minister to Guatemala and Honduras from November 8, 1897, to December 8, 1902.

Hunter was elected as a Republican to the Fiftieth Congress. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1888 to the Fifty-first Congress and for election in 1892 to the Fifty-third Congress.

Hunter was elected to the Fifty-fourth Congress. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1896 to the Fifty-fifth Congress.

Hunter was elected to the Fifty-eighth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Vincent S. Boreing and served from November 10, 1903, to March 3, 1905. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1904. He was interested in public utilities and the development of oil lands. Resided in Louisville, Kentucky, until his death there on November 2, 1917. He was interred in Cave Hill Cemetery.