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         WILLIAM C. HUNT, a farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 9, Marshall Township, and one of the prominent pioneers of the county, was born Oct. 29, 1840, in Licking County, Ohio. His parents, Hiram and Harriet (Reid) Hunt, were probably natives of New York, and by their union six children were born: John E., a carriage and wagon maker, now of San Francisco, Cal.; Charles R., a miller residing in Girard, Crawford Co., Kan.; Eunice, deceased wife of William Riley; William C.; Louisa A., whose whereabouts is unknown; Henry, now a resident of Wapello, Iowa, who was a member of Company G, 19th Iowa Infantry, but taken sick and discharged on account of disability after serving several months. The family came to Louisa County about the year 1844 or 1845, locating in Wapello, where the death of the mother occurred in 1852. The father enlisted in the Iowa “Graybeard” regiment, and while in service was taken with smallpox, and died in St. Louis, Mo.

The education of our subject was mostly received in attendance at the Wapello school which was held in the old court-house. He can remember many amusing and interesting incidents of court held in those days, and says he has often seen the jury, when sent out to agree upon the verdict, go down to the bank of the Iowa River, taking with them the ever convincing witness, the “little brown jug.” When only thirteen years of age Mr. Hunt began the battle of life for himself, securing employment by the month with Joshua Marshall, for whom he worked five years for his clothing, and a very small wardrobe would hold all he obtained. At the expiration of that time he returned to Wapello, remaining there one year, and then again went to work for Mr. Marshall, receiving for his services $9 per month. Saving up his wages, he, in company with another young man, purchased an ox-team, and during the summers of 1861 and 1862 was engaged in breaking prairie. In August of the latter year Mr. Hunt enlisted in Company F, 19th Iowa Infantry, for three years, and was sent to Keokuk, where he was mustered into the United States service. He was ordered to St. Louis, Mo., from there to Rolla, and participated in his first engagement at Prairie Grove, Ark. He was under fire for twenty-one days at the siege of Vicksburg, participated in a two-days skirmish and then went to Ft. Hudson. At Vicksburg a full set of band instruments was captured, and from the 2d Brigade, 3d Division, sixteen men were detailed and formed a brigade band. Some time after its organization the band of which Mr. Hunt was a member was sent to Brownsville, Tex., and was mustered into service as the 2d Brigade band, after which they were sent to New Orleans. Seven times our subject crossed the Gulf, five of which were with the band. From New Orleans they were sent to Ft. Morgan, Ala., the regiment capturing that fort and Ft. Gaines, and then to Pensacola, Fla., after which they returned to Ft. Morgan. Later the band was sent up the Mississippi River, then to Little Rock, Ark., and subsequently back the same route to the command and to the post in Mississippi. There the instruments were taken from the band and its members were sent back to the regiment, where for about six months they rested, until the band was again organized at Ft. Morgan and marched to Mobile, Ala., where they participated in the engagement at Spanish Fort, where a number of the brave boys of the 19th Regiment laid down their lives in defense of the star and stripes, which now float so proudly over the united nation. The band was next sent to Galveston, Tex., having been previously mustered out at Mobile, Ala., and from there they took a steamer to Memphis, Tenn., proceeded to Davenport, and were there finally discharged from the service, after having engaged in three years of war and bloodshed.

On Mr. Hunt’s return from the battlefield he engaging in farming and threshing in the neighborhood for about three years. On the 26th of September, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Theodosia Anderson, a native of Fulton County, . . .

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. . . Ill. In 1879 he purchased eighty acres of land on section 9, Marshall Township, where he has since continued to make his home. To this worthy couple have been born five children: Laura W.; John E., who died in infancy; Mary L., Alice G. and Walter R. Mr. Hunt and his wife are both members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a member of Post No. 153, G. A. R., of Wapello, Iowa. In his political views he is a Democrat, and has held various township offices. Like many others of the well-to-do farmers of the present day, Mr. Hunt started out in life with no financial aid, but by his honesty and industry he has won for himself and family a fair competence, and has gained the confidence of the community in which he has so long been a resident. Always taking an active part in all public matters, he has done much toward the advancement of the township and county.