Hunt, Hiram bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 427-428; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Hiram Hunt. There is something about the experience of a pioneer in any new country vastly interesting, but at the same time it is undoubtedly fraught with many hardships and privations. To see on every side a long, unbroken stretch of land covered with heavy timber, or a carpet of wild grass, is not a charming sight when one must perforce dwell in the midst of such a wilderness. But there is but little doubt about the fact that such a scene develops all one's energies, inspiring one with undaunted courage in clearing up the land and cultivating it. Such was the experience of Hiram Hunt, who was numbered among the first pioneers of Pleasant Township, and has been largely instrumental in bringing about its present prosperity, and making it truly a pleasant dwelling place.
Our subject was born in Orleans County, N. Y., on the 10th of February, 1818, being the son of Joseph L. and Lydia (Davenport) Hunt, natives of New York. His paternal ancestors were Irish by birth and education, and his maternal forefathers were Scotchmen. When about twelve years of age he removed with his parents to Ashtabula County, Ohio, where he continued to reside until 1834, receiving in the meantime a good education. At the expiration of that time he came alone to Fulton County, continuing to make this his home up to the present writing. His education being received in the subscription schools of New York and Ohio was naturally limited, owing to the fact that schools in those days had not reached their present perfection, but he has always been fond of reading, and has consequently kept himself thoroughly posted upon the topics of the day.
Mr. Hunt commenced agricultural pursuits at an early age and has met with marked success in that line. Upon first coming to this State, he worked out by the month, receiving only $12 or $14 per month in compensation for his services. He next ran a threshing-machine, one of the old style, known as "ground thresher," his being the first one in Bernadotte Township. At first he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Farmers Township, and improved the property very much.
The subject of this sketch enlisted in the late war in the year 1861--the month of August - joining Company F, Eighty-fourth Illinois Infantry, becoming thus a part of the Army of Cumberland. He served under Rosencranz, Thomas, Grant and Ahliman, and took part in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, and numerous others of minor importance. He was honorably discharged in 1865, and immediately returned to Fulton County, and purchased the estate upon which he now lives. The land at that time was all bush and timber, and he labored hard to get it under a system of cultivation.
Mr. Hunt, in 1838, married Miss Mary A. Walters, and to their union were born seven children, six of whom are now living, viz: Jane, wife of Michael Nunnamker, of Warren County; Daniel, in Nemaha County, Kan.; Mary, wife of Joseph Livingston, of Lewistown, Ill.; Sarah, wife of James Grewell, of Bernadotte Township; Anneta, wife of Melvin Johnson, of Bernadotte Township; and Catherine, wife of Charles Mathews, of Pleasant Township. His first wife dying in December, 1861, our subject in 1865 married Miss Catharine Mackey, a native of Ireland, and to them have been born four children, viz: Alice S., Charles E., Hiram D. and George.
The subject of this sketch has been an eye-witness of the rapid strides progress has taken in this county and township, and has won a host of friends by his interest in public matters and his willingness to assist in the advancement of all worthy causes. He served at one time as Constable, and again as Coroner of the county. He is now the owner of two hundred acres of valuable land. He is a member of the Democratic party, a most liberal-minded and public-spirited gentleman, and one held in the highest esteem by the entire community.