Joseph Hunter
Joseph Hunter was born in Aberdeen Scotland in 1842. Besides his Scottish heritage, he held in common with many St. Andrew's men the experience of traveling to the Cariboo gold fields with the dream of making his fortune. Other congregation members who were also in the Cariboo included Alexander Blair Gray, James HutchesonJames Hutcheson was an unambitious member of St Andrew's and owner of a drygoods store. and Henry Frederick Heisterman. Mr. Hunter found political success. He was elected to the first provincial government in 1871. He also worked for a time surveying the frontiers and passes of the province as did another church member, Otto TiedemannMr Tiedemann was a prominent Victorian architect. In 1878 Joseph married Fannie, the daughter of John RobsonJohn Robson was a highly active, early member of St Andrew's and later Premier of BC, and six years later moved to Victoria and became a member of St. Andrew's.
Perhaps through his affiliation with St. Andrew's and the connections made at church, Mr. Hunter became Chief Engineer of Robert DunsmuirWas an early but inconsistent member of St Andrew's and a coal mine founder.'s Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway. While not particularly active in the church's organization or activities, he and Fannie were consistent attendees. His public ambitions still not satisfied, he ran for the provincial parliament in the 1890 election and won a seat in the riding of Comox. Mr. Hunter demonstrates the interconnected nature of the congregation in Church and community along with much of the shared history of many of the St. Andrew's congregation.
(1) View Online: A History: British Columbia
(2) The Kirk That Faith BuiltThe Kirk That Faith Built: St. Andrew's on Douglas Street, 1890-1990. Published by the Session of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Morriss Printing Company, Victoria, 1989. , 58