Bader S. Hunt

As printed in 1914

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 Past and present of Randolph County, Indiana : with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.