Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 504
CHARLES W. HUNT

Success in business or in any vocation in fact, depends upon character as well as upon knowledge. Honesty not only is right, but it is a self-evident proposition that honesty is the best policy. Business demands confidence and where that is lacking business lags. In every community some men are known for their sterling integrity, strong common sense and moral worth. Neighbors and acquaintances respect them and the younger generation heed their example. They win their way through untiring energy and right principles and hold the respect of their fellow men by their genuine worth as citizens. Among the well-known men of Harrison county, Iowa, who have won for themselves a unique success in the field of human endeavor, is Charles W. HUNT, the secretary of the Harrison County Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, and the editor of this volume of Harrison county history.

Charles W. HUNT was born January 2, 1864, a son of the late Jason Z. and Mary M. (KING) HUNT.

Jason Z. HUNT came to Harrison county, Iowa, from Saratoga county, New York, in 1850, and located on a farm of eighty acres in Jefferson township, which he gradually enlarged until he was the owner of three hundred acres at the time of his death. He was born in Saratoga county, New York, February 20, 1822, a son of Walter and Susan (DEMING) HUNT. Walter HUNT was born in September 24, 1782, at Stephentown, New York, and married Susanna DEMING at Edinburg, New York, December 5, 1802. He died at Edinburg, New York, March 23, 1863, while his widow died at the same place in October, 1872. Jason Z. HUNT was one of ten children, the others being Amos, Johanna, Isaac, Betsy, Sallie, George Washington, William W., Amanda M. and Alonzo R.

Walter HUNT was a son of Capt. Ziba HUNT, who was born January 4, 1746, in Connecticut, and who died September 10, 1820, at Northampton, New York. His wife was Johanna BLOUNT, and to Captain HUNT and wife thirteen children were born.

Jason Z. HUNT, whose death occurred September 30, 1891, was a man of rather wide influence during his active life. He was a school teacher, an ardent Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He and his wife were the parents of six children: Camilla S., born July 5, 1849; Livy M., born April 25, 1852; Hattie M., born June 12, 1855; Orville B., born September 18, 1857, and died September 16, 1862; Mary E., born February 15, 1861, and Charles W., with whom this narrative deals, the youngest child of his parents, who was born January 2, 1864.

Charles W. HUNT was fortunate in obtaining an exceptionally good education. He first attended the common schools of Harrison county, and then became a student in the Logan high school and after leaving the Logan high school, went to Ames University, and was graduated from this institution with the class of 1888. Mr. HUNT made a good record in college and is remembered at Ames University as a representative college student, and a man who was active in the various enterprises of the university.

After his graduation from Ames, Mr. HUNT took up farming in Harrison county, and was an active farmer until 1905, when he became secretary of the Harrison County Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company with offices at Logan. Mr. HUNT, however, lived upon the farm for four years and did not moved to Logan until 1910. Here he now resides in a comfortable and commodious home. He is recognized as an expert in insurance matters, a man who has thoroughly grasped the science of values and risks. As secretary of the Harrison county company Mr. HUNT has made a splendid record.

Charles W. HUNT was married March 27, 1889, to Nettie A. DAVIE, a daughter of John and Hannah DAVIE, and to this union two children were born, Donald A. and Robert L., who are directing the work on their father's farm. Mrs. HUNT died in 1897, and on October 10, 1899, Mr. HUNT married, secondly, Clara A. SERVIS, a daughter of Jacob and Elzina (ELLISON) SERVIS, and to this second marriage two children have been born, Walter J. and Harriett Camilla, both living at home with their parents.

Mr. HUNT is an ardent Republican, and has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his party. He was elected on the Republican ticket as representative to the thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth Iowa General Assembly, serving from 1911 until 1915. During his legislative career Mr. HUNT was especially interested in legislation pertaining to insurance and farm problems, and was recognized as one of the leaders of the Iowa General Assembly during both of the sessions in which he served. Mr. HUNT has always taken an active interest in education work and served one term as a member of the city council at Logan. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Although he has prospered in a material way, faithfulness to duty and a strict adherence to a fixed purpose, have been his guiding principles through life. He has been honored by the people of his county and his success has been worthily attained.

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