The Hunt Families of Henry County, Iowa

WILLIAM CLAIBORN HUNT.

There is no name in Des Moines county which carries with it more of integrity, of uprightness, of earnest citizenship, or calls forth more universal expressions of regard, than that of W. Claiborn Hunt, now among the oldest settlers in the county. Whatever of virtue in the character of Mr. Hunt, whatever of quality in his li\'- ing, has been directly founded upon traits inherited from an ancestry rich in the virtues of patriotism, loyalty, steadfastness, and principle, which today places him in the foremost ranks of the highly honored and respected men of the community.

Mr. Hunt was born January 21, 18 18, in Bond county, Illinois, and is a son of John Bael and Esther (Bartlett) Hunt. His father was born in Baltimore, Maryland, February 2, 1771, and located in Bond county in 181 1, where he bought a large farm, and was engaged in general farming for many years. He died February 21, 1850, at the age of seventy-nine years. The mother of our subject was born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, June 27, 1773, and survived her husband eight years, dying September 10, 1858. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom all are dead but three: Claiborn, of this review; Esther, the wife of Peter L. DelasHmutt, of Montgomery county, Iowa; and Louise Hunt, who resides near Chicago. Mrs. and Mr. Hunt were devoted members of the Methodist church, and the latter w'as a firm democrat, but by no means an office seeker. He served all through the war of 18 12, stationed at Edwardsville, Madison county, Illinois.

Claiborn Hunt attended the district schools in Bond county for a short time, and then later pursued his studies in a little old log schoolhouse in McDonough county, Illinois. He then remained on his father's farm till he was about twenty-one years of age, when he went to Eddyville, Iowa, in 1836, and lived alone on a piece of land for a while.

On November 21, 1843, i*- Hunt married Miss Ann Smith, who is a daughter of Peter and Martha (Ellison) Smith, and was born in Sutton, England, August 15, 1821. A full history of her parents will appear in the sketch of her brother, Samuel Smith, on another page of this book. Mrs. Hunt was educated in the Moravian school, in England, and came to America in 1835 '''ih her parents. After the marriage of this worthy couple they settled on forty acres of land in Union township, Des Moines county, and at first lived in a little log house in the old-fashioned pioneer times. From time to time he added more land, made the improvements of a substantial kind, which are necessary for the progressive farmer, and built a comfortable brick residence. He carried on farming and stock-raising, and continued to live on this farm, which had increased to one hundred and fifty acres under his careful management and general supervision for over fifty-seven years. In 1901 Mr. Hunt sold his entire farm, and shortly afterward moved to the city of Burlington and purchased a beautiful home at 101 Woodlawn avenue, where he and Mrs. Hunt can have more frequent social intercourse with their many friends and acquaintances, and spend the evening of their active and well spent lives in ease and pleasure. Unto Mr. and Mrs.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN P. HUNT, D. D. S.

Dr. John P. Hunt, practicing his profession in Mount Pleasant since 1900, with constantly growing success that is indicative of his efficient, modern methods and his business ability as well, was born in Burlington on the 13th of September. 1863. son of Claybourne and Ann ( Smith) Hunt. The common schools in the Hunt settlement afforded him his early educational privileges and he afterward attended the Burlington Academy and the Iowa State University, at Iowa City. In the latter institution he prepared for his profession, being graduated from the dental department with the class of 1885. He then located for practice at Pella. Iowa, where he remained for eig'ht years, and while there was interested in the Central University, n()' known as Central College, of which he was trustee and secretary for nearly seven years, doing effective service for. its ui)bui](ling and improvement. In 1893 he removed to DesAIoines. Iowa, where he engaged 11 the practice of his profession, receiving a Hberal share of the pubhc support, l)ut in 1900 he disposed of his business interests there and came to Mount Pleasant, induced to this step by the fact that he preferred a residence in a small town and also by reason of the sujDerior educational advantages that he could here afford his children.

In Mount Pleasant Dr. Hunt became the successor of Dr. Beers, a successful dentist who for many years has been a successful practitioner at this place. Through his personal ability he has succeeded in holding the patronage of his predecessor and also adding to it. and today he has a large business that brings him gratifying financial returns annually. He practices along modern, scientific lines, keeping in touch with the advanced thought of the profession. its experiments and discoveries. In no calling has there been more rapid advance than there has in dentistry. The methods of practice have been entirely revolutionized within the last quarter of a century and Dr. Hunt in his work employs only the most modern methods and yet those whose practical utility have been proven. He was one of the first members of the Southeastern Iowa Dental Societv, in which he is still associated.

On the 12th of September, 1889, Dr. Hunt was married to Miss Alice M. Sexton, of Pella, Iowa, a daughter of J. B. Sexton, now of Des Moines, and to them have been born seven children, Ethel M., James C, Arthur E., John Paul, Anna C, Alice Sarah and Walter Sexton.

Dr. and ]Mrs. Hunt are members of the Baptist church, and while in Pella he served as deacon and clerk of the church and as superintendent of the Sunday-school, taking a most active and helpful interest in the various departments of church activity. He has transferred his membership to the church in Mount Pleasant, but has had no opportunity for official sen-ice, although requested to accept office. He has purchased here a pleasant home and a farm of twenty-one acres on South Main street, and there spends his leisure hours after putting aside the professional duties of the day. Genial in manner, with a deference for the opinions of others that arises from true courtesy. Dr. Hunt has gained many friends and much personal popularity".

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

O. HUNT, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 6, Scott Township, Henry Co., Iowa, is a native of Jefferson County, N. Y.. born Dec. 20, 1817. His parents were Lyman and Laura (Lovel) Hunt, who were natives of Massachusetts. The early boyhood days of our subject were spent upon a farm in New York, but at the age of seven years his parents emigrated to Ohio, settling on a farm in Portage County. Mr. Hunt was educated in the common schools of his adopted county. For twelve years he w.as engaged in buying horses, which he drove to the East. While on one of these trips, passing through Huntington, Vt., he became acquainted with Mary Norton, a daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (Bewer) Norton, the father a native of Massachusetts, and mother of Vermont. The acquaintance thus formed soon ripened into love, and they were married. The grandfather of Mrs. Hunt was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. In March, 1854, Mr. Hunt with his young wife moved to Iowa, settling near Denmark, where he purchased 180 acres of land partially improved. At the expiration of a year they removed to West Point, making that their home for seven years. At that place Mr. Hunt was engaged in stock-raising. Removing to Mt. Pleasant, he began the livery business, continuing that from 1862 until 1869, then purchasing 300 acres of land, he removed to his farm, residing there for seven years. Desiring to give his children-better educational advantages than country schools afforded, they went to Iowa City, but subsequently returned to his farm in.Scott Township, and with the exception of two years spent at Columbus Junction, there he has since resided.

Three children have brought joy and gladness to the. home of Mr. and Mrs. V. O. Hunt: Lillian, wife of Isaac B. Turner, a farmer of Scott Township; Charles N., a practicing attorney at Minneapolis, Minn.; George L., who is a stenographer in that city. Politically, Mr. Hunt indorses the principles advocated by the Union Labor party. Mr. Hunt has one of the best farms in Henry County, consisting of 450 acres of fine land. He is well known and universally respected.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.