The Hunt Families of Randolph County, Indiana

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

During the war of 1812, the family of Isaac Hutson, who were living in Illinois, was massacred by the Indians. Isaac Hutson married the grand aunt of the subject of this sketch, and during his temporary absence from home the Indians murdered his family and burned his house. To obtain revenge for this wrong, he disguised himself as an Indian and sought to slay the murderers of his family, but was himself killed by the Indians near Fort Harrison. Isaac Denton, the grand uncle of the subject of this sketch, was also murdered by the Indinns near the same place, while on a surveying expedition under Gen. Hopkips.

Miles Hunt came to this county in 1825, and settled on a farm near Huntsville. He married Mary L. Botkin, in 1831, whose parenU moved to this county from Tennessee in the year 1810. They were the parents of eleven children, seven boys and four girls.

Miles Hunt was elected to the State Legislature in 1887, and re-elected in gieH in obtaining a fair education.

In 18li2, he enlisted in Company D, Sixty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteers. He did gallant service for his country, and made an honorable record as a soldier. He was severely wounded in the left limb at the battle <if Richmond, Ky., from the effects of which he has never fully recovered. Ho received an honorable discharge in the spring of 1863. From the fall of 1803 to 1805, he was engaged in teaching in the public schools of Illinois, after which he returned to his native town in this county and commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Eikenberg. In the fall of 1807 and winter of 1868, he attended the Eclectic Medieal Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio. He commenced the practice of ills chosen profession at Losnntville, this county, in the spring of 1868. He continued to practice at the above named place until 1873, when he returned to Huntsville, where he has continued in a lucrative and successful business ever

Martha J. Vanlnndingham December 27, 1868. She was tne uaugiiier ot.Mimes and Eleanor Vanlnndingham, and was born in Fleming County, Ky., in 1839. She oame to this ominty in 1852.

Dr. Hunt was called lo mourn the death of his devoted wife,.Innuary 10, 1882. She left a kind husband and two affectionate daughters to mourn their loss. The names of her daughters are as follows: Lauretta W., born October

Res of J.G.Haynes, West River Tp. Randolph Co.Ing.

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

BADER S. HUNT, M. D.

The life of the scholarly or professional man seldom exhibits any of those striking incidents that seize upon public feeling and attract attention to himself. His character is generally made up of the aggregate qualities and qualifications he may possess, as these may be elicited by the exercise of the duties of his vocation or the particular profession to which he belongs. But when such a man has so impressed his individuality upon his fellow men as to gain their confidence and through that confidence rises to high and important standing he is deserving of a great deal of credit. Dr. Bader S. Hunt, of Winchester, is one of the scholarly men of Randolph county, who, not content to hide his talents amid life's sequestered ways, has, by the force of will and a laudable ambition, forged to the front in a responsible and exacting calling and earned an honorable reputation in one of the most important branches of human service. His Hfe has been one of hard study and research from his youth and since maturity of laborious professional duty; and the high standing which he has attained is evidence that he possesses the qualities that afford the means of distinction under a system of government in which places of honor and usefulness are open to all who may be found worthy of them.

Doctor Hunt was born December 13, 1868, near Union Port, Randolph county, Indiana. He is a son of Giles P. and Elmira (Botkin) Hunt. His parents were born in this county and here grew to maturity, were educated in the early-day schools and were married here. The mother is a daughter of Dr. J. W. Botkin, also a native of Randolph county, born in 1819, and was thus a pioneer child, and here he practiced medicine for a period of sixty years, a fine type of the old school doctor. His death occurred at the age of eighty-two years. He was one of the first white children born in this locality. His daughter, Elmira, was born September 5, 1847, she is now living in Winchester. Giles P. Hunt was born January 12, 1843, "d his death occurred October 30, 1905. He was a successful farmer. Politically, he was a Republican. Pie was a member of Company D, Sixty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, enlisting in 1861 under Capt. John Ross, and he served three years in a faithful and praiseworthy manner.

To Giles P. Hunt and wife six children were born, namely: Dr. Bader S., of this sketch; Mary is the eldest daughter; Morton is deceased; Emma is living at home; James is deceased; the youngest child died in infancy, unnamed.

Dr. Bader S. Hunt grew to manhood on the home farm and he received his early education in the common schools, and was graduated from the Winchester high school in 1889. He then entered Rush Medical College in Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1894, and in 1902 he took a post-graduate course in the Chicago Polyclinic Institute. In 1894 he began the practice of his profession in Winchester and has remained here to the present time, enjoying a liberal patronage from the first, and he has long since taken his place in the front rank of leading medical men of this section of the state. He practiced alone until 1910, when his brother, Dr. Morton Hunt, joined him, but his death occurred two years later, and since then our subject has remained alone. He has ever been a deep student of all that pertains to the medical profession and is well abreast of the times.

Doctor Hunt was married October 30, 1894, to Winifred Thomas, who was born in Randolph county, September 1, 1870, and here she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of John W. and Eliza (Aker) Thomas. Her Grandfather Thomas came from Missouri, and Grandfather Aker was a native of Virginia. He located in Randolph county in pioneer days and opened the first store in this locality, it being the only one between the cities of Richmond and Fort Wayne. Mrs. Hunt, after graduating from the Winchester high school in 1889, entered the Conservatory of Music at Cincinnati, Ohio, and subsequently took a special course in vocal music, also the violin, in Indianapolis. She is a talented musician, and a lady of refinement and many estimable attributes, a favorite in the best social circles of the county.

The union of the Doctor and wife has been graced by the birth of two children: Frances E., born February 5, 1905, is attending school; and [name withheld], born June 14, 1909.

Politically, Doctor Hunt is a Republican and has long been active in the ranks and influential; in fact, is a local leader in the party. He is at present ably and faithfully serving as state senator from Randolph and Jay counties, and is making his influence felt for the general good of this locality, being regarded by his colleagues as an able, far-seeing and conscientious public servant, and his course so far has been entirely satisfactory to his constituents. From 1902 to 1906 he served Randolph county as health officer in a most faithful manner. He has been a member of the city council for the past eight years, during which he has done much for the general upbuilding of the city of Winchester.

Doctor Hunt is a charter member of the Randolph Club: he holds membership in the Randolph County IMedical Society, the Indiana Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge No. 638, and is past master of the same; he also belongs to the Knights of Pythias.

Doctor Hunt has not only kept in close touch with the trend of current medical thought but is also a close student of all social, political and scientific subjects, being broad-minded, full of spirit and a leader in the matters relating to the advancement of the community honored by his citizenship and the welfare of his fellow men. He is a man of decided convictions on all public questions, maintains his stand with resolute firmness and has made his influence felt in formulating and directing political policies, as well as in the various official trusts with which he has from time to time been honored. He is a plain and unassuming gentleman, yet possessing that innate dignity, which stamps the true man of modern affairs, genial, obliging and never-failing courtesy, and, the genuineness of his public spirit being unquestioned, he is popular with all classes.

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

ROBER'J G. HUNT.

Such a life as that of Robert G. Hunt, successful farmer and stock man, of Union City, for a long lapse of years one of the leading citizens of Randolph county and a veteran of the Ciil Var, is an inspiration to others who are less courageous and more phone to giving up the fight when obstacles thwart their way, or their ideals have been reached or definite success has been obtained in any field of endeavor. In the life history of Mr. Hunt are found evidences of a peculiar characteristic that always makes for achievement, persistency coupled with fortitude and honest traits,, and as the result of such a life he has acquired not only material success but also an honored place in the community.

Mr. Hunt was born in Kentucky, September 20, 1843. is a son of Hugh I. Hunt, a native of Union county, South Carolina where he spent his boyhood years, removing to Kentucky when twenty-three years old, where he remained until 1848 when he moved with his family to Indiana, locating on a farm two miles west of Huntsville, Randolph county, where he spent the rest of his life, dying January 24, 1888. He married Maranda Hunt, a daughter of Rev. Bazel Hunt, (no relation). Her death occurred May 29, 1 89 1. Grandfather Elisha Hunt died in South Carolina many years ago. He was of Scotch ancestry. The Hunts are an old southern family.

Robert G. Hunt grew to manhood on the home farm and was educated in the common schools of Randolph county, and when only eighteen years of age he enlisted in Company E, Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Col. Grose, of New Castle, and Capt. Kerney. He saw considerable hard service and proved to be a gallant and faithful soldier for the union. He fought in the battle of Shiloh where he was wounded and discharged for disability not long thereafter; but as soon as he was able he re-enlisted, this time in Company B, Seventh Indiana Cavalry, and was made quarter-master sergeant, the duties of which position he discharged in a highly commendable manner until he was honorably discharged at Austin, Texas, February 18. 1866. After his military career he remained in the Lone Star state until the spring of 1867 when he returned to Randolph county, Indiana, removing

W O W H to Ringgold county, Iowa two years later, where he remained nearly a year, then returned to this county and bought a small farm in West River township, and in connection with farming he began buying and shipping livestock on an extensive scale, his business growing to large proportions. In 1885 he moved to a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Nettle Creek township, he having purchased this place in 1883. He sold out in 1889 and bought a farm immediately across the road from his last place, in West River township, the latter farm consisting of two hundred and thirteen acres, which was poorly improved, and he improved same and sold it in two years and moved to Indianapolis. About 1895 he bought a farm in West River township to which he removed soon thereafter and lived on it two and one-half years when he sold out and moved to Modoc. After remaining there a few months he moved back to Indianapolis, and in 1909 bought a farm in Jay county on which he lived until 1912 when he sold out and moved to lUnion City, buying a fine home on the Ohio side of the city where he now resides, surrounded by every convenience and comfort and here he expects to spend his old age in quiet. He has been very successful in his life work, always made good trades in his various farms and is now in very comfortable circumstances financially. Politically, he is a Republican.

Mr. Hunt was married May 12, 1878 to Elvira H. Hunt, (no relation). She was born in Randolph county, October 19, 1856, and here she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of John W. Hunt, for many years a well-known and highly respected citizen of Randolph county. His death occurred March 22, 1870. He was of English ancestry. His wife, Rachael Andrews, was a daughter of Barton Andrews, and her death occurred April 17, 1873. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Hunt has been without issue.

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

UNION B. HUNT.

No one perhaps in Randolph county is more widely known than Union B. Hunt, who was born in Nettle Creek township, September 2, 1864. He is a son of Joshua P. and Rachel Howell Hunt. Having been born during the Civil war and his father being a loyal supporter of the Federal Government, he was christened "Union". His paternal grandfather, John Hunt, was a native of Kentucky and was colonel of a regiment in the war of 1812.

The greater part of the life of Mr. Hunt has been spent in Randolph county, the early years of his boyhood having been spent in Vermilion county, Illinois. During his boyhood days, he worked on a farm, later clerked in a store and engaged in other occupations. He studied law in the office of Watson and Watson and was admitted to practice in 1889, forming a partnership with John R. Wright under the firm name of Wright and Hunt. This partnership continued for a number of years, when a new partnership was formed with C. L. and T. W. Hirtchens under the firm name of Hutchens, Hunt and Hutchens, the latter partnership continuing up to 1898, when he was nominated by the Republican party for secretary of state of Indiana, to which position he was elected and re-elected in 1900. In 1892 he engaged in the newspaper business, buying a half interest in the Winchester Herald, one of the leading Republican newspapers in the state, assuming practically the entire editorial charge of the paper and continued in that work for about four years, in the meantime keeping in close touch with his law practice. At the expiration of his term as secretary of state, Mr. Hunt returned to Winchester and re-engaged in the practice of law with Hon. Enos L. Watson under the firm name of Watson and Hunt. This partnership continued until 1903, when he was appointed a member of the Indiana Railroad Commission and was by his colleagues elected chairman of that Commission, which position he filled until December 1, 1908, when he resigned to accept the presidency of the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias Insurance Department, which position he now holds. This position is one of importance in the business world, as the institution of which he is president has a membership of 71,000, representing one hundred million dollars of insurance, the society having assets of more than six million dollars.

Mr. Hunt has occupied many prominent positions in the Order of Knights of Pythias, having served in various grand lodge offices in Indiana, first being appointed Grand Instructor, following which he was elected Grand Vice Chancellor and elected Grand Chancellor in 1897. He was chosen as Supreme Representative in 1901 and continued as such representative for ten years.

While Mr. Hunt does not at this time take an active part in politics, he is a Republican and was for many years active and influential in the work of that party, having made speeches in every county in the state except one and has spoken several times in a number of counties; not only has he addressed audiences in behalf of the political party he represents, but since he became identified with the Knights of Pythias, he has spoken before the grand lodges in every state in the Union and in many of the Canadian provinces in behalf of fraternal organizations and especially in behalf of the Insurance Department of which he is the president.

On November 1, 1891, he married Mary M. Hinshaw, who was the daughter of Absalom and Eliza Hinshaw. To them was born one child, Ethel, who is now the wife of K. R. Davis, of Indianapolis.

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

JESSE HUNT, farming nn.l lumbering, P. 0. Swain's Hill. He is a son of Jonathan W. and.Sarah Hunt. His father was born in North CarolinH, and mother, in Ohio, His father emigrated to this county about 1830, while yet a youth,, and died November 1, 1873. His mother came to this county in 1857, and marrieil Mr. Hunt a few months after her arrival. She married James Doling in July, 1876, and is still living in West River Township. Jesse was born in Randolph County, Ind., February 28, 1851, and married Frances A. Hunt, August 15, 1877. They have two children, viz.. Virion M. and Morney M. He obtained a fair education; commenced business by working land on shares, and by persevering industry has secured a nice home. In connection with farming, he carries on quite a trade in lumber. In politics, he is a Democrat. He is a kind father and devoted husband.

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