Mr. Hunt was born on the other side of the Atlantic, in Nottingham, England, June 26, 1818. His father, Joseph Hunt, was a hair dresser by trade, and spent the greater part of his life in his native town of Nottingham, whence he removed a few years before his death to Derbyshire. Our subject at that time was a lad nine years of age. Early in life he began to earn his own living, his widowed mother having been left with but a small property. Thomas grew to manhood in his native shire and learned the trade of baker and confectioner, which he followed until 1842, when he decided to seek his fortune in the New World.
In the meantime Mr. Hunt had been married and now, accompanied by his wife, joined the Owen Colony, who, on the 21st of June, 1842, embarked on a sailing vessel from Liverpool, and braved the dangers of an ocean voyage in the hope of something better in the future. The design of the Owen Colony, which was known as the Universal Community Society of Rational Religionists, and possessed peculiar religious ideas, was to enlarge their possessions and at the same time establish their belief and add to their membership as rapidly as possible. They came to this State and located in Ridott Township, taking up their abode on a timber tract, where they lived after the simple manner of their faith, and cultivated the soil for their maintenance. They did not prosper, however, as well as they had hoped, and finally disbanded. Mr. Hunt and Mrs. Fairburn, of Ridott, are the only living members of that community. The former still clings to his early beliefs.
Mr. Hunt, with the exception of his mother, who accompanied him, is the only member of his father's family who came to America. His first wife was formerly Miss Mary Kirk, a native of his own county in England, and the daughter of a highly respectable family. This lady became the mother of twelve children, and after remaining the faithful companion of her husband for a period of more than forty years, departed this life at the homestead in 1882, mourned by her husband and family as their best friend and most faithful counselor, who by her blameless life had secured their undying respect and affection.
The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married June 11, 1887, was formerly Mrs. Agnes E. (Colburn) Burdick, daughter of Horace D. Colburn, a native of New York State, who came to Illinois in 1836, and was among the earliest settlers of Ridott Township. He was a gentleman of fine business capacities, a millwright by trade, and in the early days superintended the erection of most of the mills of Northern Illinois. His wife was Miss Eliza Paddock, who became the mother of three children. Mrs. Hunt is a lady of rare intelligence and completed her education in Rockford Seminary, being one of the first graduates from that institution. She taught school for a number of years and also gave lessons in music, in which she excels. Of her first marriage there were born two children. Her former husband, Delos Burdick, was an early settler and successful farmer of Ridott Township, where he was held in the highest respect for his sterling worth and upright business methods.
The traveler in passing through Ridott Township cannot fail to note the finely cultivated farm and the stately residence of Thomas Hunt, which forms one of the most attractive spots in the landscape of Stephenson County. The dwelling is a very large structure, built of solid stone, and has been standing for over thirty-five years. In the pioneer days it was a favorite place for public gatherings, being supplied with a dance hall and capable of entertaining a large number of people. It is located on the old State road on section 4, and the hospitality of the pioneer times still lingers under its roof, where Mr. Hunt delights in meeting the friends and companions who are left from the early days. Although energetic and industrious by nature he has given much attention to the improvement of his mind, and is well posted upon the events of the day. He is of commanding appearance and the strong points of his character are marked in the lines of his countenance, which beams kindly upon his friends while at the same time he frowns upon wrong-doing, and has always made his simple love of justice one of his leading characteristics. Although now quite well advanced in years, Mr. Hunt manages his farm and his business affairs with his old-time good judgment, and keeps up the early reputation of the homestead, its stock and its farm machinery. The estate embraces nearly 600 acres of land, which he began building up from the first purchase of eighty acres from the Government. He presents a fine illustration of the self-made man who by his native energy and resolution, overcame great obstacles, and now lives in the enjoyment of the most profound respect of the people of Stephenson County.
We are proud to have secured the portrait of Mr. Hunt to aid in the embellishment of this work, which otherwise would not have been considered complete by the scores of old-time friends who have known him so long and learned to admire his character.
Contributed by Karen Hammer
Thomas Hunt, the subject of the following biography, a resident of Ridott Township, has been widely and favorably known throughout this county for over forty years. He came here in the pioneer days and at once identified himself with the labors and hopes of the early settlers, having in common with them only his strong hands and brave heart with which to commence the battle of life. The main points of a history more than ordinarily interesting are substantially as follows:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Illinois Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1888 p. 319
