Abraham Hunsaker

Mantua-Honeyville and Abraham Hunsaker

Abraham Hunsaker was a key figure in the early history of both Mantua and Honeyville, Utah.

The Mantua Connection:

Hunsaker and his family lived in Mantua for a period. During this time, a tragedy struck the family when his adopted son, Lemuel, who was a Paiute Indian, was killed. According to historical accounts, Abraham Hunsaker had two sons who were killed:

* His adopted son, Lemuel, who was a Paiute Indian, was shot in the back by a soldier at the family's ranch house in Mantua.

* Another son, Lewis, was killed by Paiute Indians after being kidnapped.

The Honeyville Connection:

Hunsaker is most prominently known for his connection to Honeyville. He was the town's first bishop and helped secure land for grazing. The town was initially named "Hunsakerville" in his honor before being renamed Honeyville. He also built the first flour mill in the town. Hunsaker lived in Honeyville until his death in 1889.

The available information indicates that Abraham Hunsaker resided in and was involved with both Mantua and Honeyville, but it does not state that he traded land between the two locations.

The sources mention that he used the Mantua (Box Elder valley) area as a range for his cattle and horses for several seasons. He later secured land for grazing purposes in Honeyville and moved his families there. One source notes that he was asked by Lorenzo Snow to give up the Box Elder valley for a colony of Danish Saints. However, there is no mention of a direct trade of land between the two places.