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The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., January 11, 1962, page 1

PIONEER DIES

Frank Hunsaker, long time resident of White Salmon, passed away at Skyline Hospital Wednesday night at 8:30.
Gardner's Funeral Service announced this morning that services will be held on Saturday.

The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, WA., January 18, 1962, page 5
Includes portrait

LIFE OF FRANK HUNSAKER SPANNED SEVEN DECADES OF LOCAL PROGRESS

White Salmon said goodbye to one of its last pioneer builders Saturday, Jan. 13 when Frank Hunsaker, 82, was laid to rest in the Odd Fellows Cemetery. He had lived in White Salmon almost 68 years.
Mr. Hunsaker was born on May 11, 1879 at Fostoria, Ohio and arrived in Spokane, Washington Territory, with his parents Daniel and Marietta Hunsaker, when he was only nine years old.
The Hunsaker family lived in Spokane six years before moving to White Salmon in March 1894, right after Spokane's great fire. Although both Frank and his father took up adjoining homesteads on Underwood Hts., the Hunsaker family maintained their residence just north of White Salmon.

Eager to Work

As a boy, Frank helped his father -- a master blacksmith, wagon and carriage maker -- haul wood fuel to the Columbia River sternwheelers. Price on delivery was $3.50 per cord. Later Frank was dock agent for the steamboat lines for two years.
He also worked for C.E. Larsen, pioneer stone mason. Wages were $1.25 for a 10-hour day.
Young Frank was ambitious. Whenever work was available, he was among the first to get on the payroll.
He drove team during the building of the SP&S Railroad in 1906 and cut wood to fire Northwestern Electric's steam plant during construction of the dam at Northwestern Lake.
On July 2, 1903 he married Miss Mary Fenn Matthews of White Salmon. They had three children: Dan M., George L. and Mary Frances Hill, all now residence of White Salmon.

Was a Builder

Frank was never idle. Whenever opportunity knocked, he opened the door.
He ranched at Trout Lake in 1914; started a jitney service to Trout Lake in 1916; began the family trucking business in 1917; and in partnership with his brother Walther, hauled and sold wood and fruit from 1919 to 1928.
In between times he made and sold brick. He used his own product to construct the two-story Larsen and Hunsaker buildings on Jewett avenue.
In 1932 he became area distributor for Texaco oil and built four service stations. In 1945 he sold his oil and gasoline distributorship to his son Dan.
Frank was also interested in farming. His place in north White Salmon comprises 30 acres of cherry and pear orchard.
He was an active member of the Mt. View Grange for over 50 years; a member of Masonic Lodge, No. 163 of White Salmon since 1927; and a charter member of Mt. Adams Elks lodge, No. 1868.
His long and useful life came to an end, from cancer, on Wednesday, Jan. 10. Funeral services were held in Gardners Chapel at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13.
The Rev. Roger L. Clevenger of the Bethel Congregational Church officiated. The Masonic Lodge of White Salmon assisted. Soloist was Richard B. Shipp.
Active casket bearers were Grangers: Clell Black, Maurice Balsiger, Lon Yarnell, Joe Vezina, Jim Hendryx and William Balsiger.
Honorary casket bearers were Masons: William Moore, William Lauterbach, Steve Wnuk, William Manly, Sr., Jack Roberts and William Arnett.
Frank is survived by his wife Mary; sons and Dan and George; daughter, Mary Frances Hill; 14 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Also, three brothers: Walter of White Salmon; Dr. David Hunsaker of Nampa, Idaho; and Herbert Hunsaker of Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.