JAMES HUNT.
In the following paragraphs specific mention is made of one of the worthy citizens of this county, who has figured in the growth and development of the agricultural and financial interests of this favored locality, and whose interests have been identified with its progress, he for years having contributed, in his particular sphere of action, to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Earnest purpose and tireless energy, combined with mature judgment and every-day common sense, have been among his most prominent characteristics and he has merited the respect and esteem which are accorded him by all who know him.
James Hunt was born in New York state on December 11, 1850, the son of Jonathan and Mary (Fletcher) Hunt, both natives of Lincolnshire, England, who came to the United States shortly after their marriage and located in New York, where they remained one year. They then came west, locating in Grant county, Wisconsin, where they lived for six years, after which they removed to Lafayette county, Wisconsin, where they spent the remainder of their lives, both dying of typhoid fever just one month apart, Jonathan Hunt's death occurring on August 26, 1862, his wife dying September 26, of the same year, their son, James, being then but twelve years of age. Jonathan Hunt was a farmer all his life and he and his wife were the parents of seven children, James, Mary, Robert, John, William, Albert and George, all of whom are living save the latter.
James Hunt received his early education in the schools of Lafayette county, Wisconsin, and after the death of his parents continued attending school until he was eighteen years of age, working in the summer seasons and doing chores during the winters for his board and room. Until he was twenty-one years of age he worked as a farm hand, receiving from twelve to twenty dollars a month for his labor. In 1871 Mr. Hunt came to Audubon county and purchased eighty acres of land in Melville township. When he first came to Iowa he had about eight hundred dollars, which he had managed to save from his labors while in Wisconsin. With this money he bought his first land in Audubon county, and has gradually added to his land holdings until he is now the owner of three hundred and eighty acres of fine land in this county, a part of which is in the corporation of Audubon. Besides this he owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in South Dakota.
On September 9, 1829, James Hunt was married to Elizabeth Leach, the daughter of James and Mary Leach, at that time residents of South Dakota. In later years James Leach and his wife came to Audubon county, where they remained one year, at the end of which time they returned to South Dakota, where James Leach died, his widow, still surviving him, making her home with her children. To James and Elizabeth (Leach) Hunt three children have been born, Nora and May, living at home, and one who died in infancy.
Besides general farming, Mr. Hunt has made a specialty of the breeding and raising of high-grade live stock, especially Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs, and has been very successful in this line of endeavor. He has bred, fed and shipped two carloads of cattle and hogs each year, and still owns a fine herd of fifty-two head of Shorthorn cattle, and sells from twenty-five to thirty calves yearly, which add no inconsiderable amount to his yearly income from his farm. Mr. Hunt is still actively engaged in his agricultural work, at this time operating one hundred acres of land and personally looks after his live stock. Mr. Hunt decided to retire from active farm work at one time, but his health became impaired through lack of exercise, having always been a man of untiring energy and ceaseless activity, and upon his physician's advice he resumed his former active labors in the management of his farm, since which time his health has been perfect, and he is strong and sturdy today.
Mr. Hunt is a Republican and has always taken a keen interest in local public affairs. He has served his township as trustee and also as road supervisor, in both of which offices he discharged his duties to the entire satisfaction of the citizens of his township. He and his family are earnest and devoted members of the Presbyterian church, in whose welfare they are deeply interested and to the support of which they are liberal contributors.
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Transcribed from History of Audubon County, Iowa Its People, Industries and Institutions With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by H. F. Andrews, editor, Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Company, 1915, pp. 354-356.
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