In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1845
From Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa (1905)
JOHN B. HUNT.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
In those early pioneer days a farmer did not have the convenient tools to work with that he has to-day, but had to content himself with a common saw and ax. One of the first log buildings that Mr. Hunt built, with nothing but an ax, is still standing on the old home place, where his son takes the best of care of it. Mrs. Hunt joined her husband in 1834, and they were blessed with five children, of whom three are living: Mary, the widow of Ellison Smith of Danville, Iowa; Illinois, the wife of William Smith, of Richmond. Iowa; and John, of this review.
.Mrs. Himt was a woman of much force of character, and though she endured with her husband the many hardships of frontier life, yet she bore all in a kind anil ])patient manner, and was a woman beloved by one and all. Her death, which occurred June 25, 1871, was deplored by many. Mr. Hunt survived his wife nearly twenty-two years, his death occurring July 16, 1893.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
Our subject was born on his father's farm in Des Aloines county, Iowa, Aug. 8, 1845, '''d received his education in the district schools of the county. He remained with his father till the latter passed away, when he bought the home farm, and still resides there. He is very much attached to the place, and keeps it much the same as his parents did, being extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising.
Like his father, Mr. Hunt is a good Democrat, but does not take an active part in politics. He is well posted on all of the issues of the day, being a great reader. Of much reserve and dignity, he constantly reaches out to the poor and needy without his right hand knowing what his left hand doeth. His business life has always been just and pure, and there is no one in the county more esteemed and respected than Mr. Hunt and his good wife.
As printed in Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1905. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.