Madison County AlArchives Biographies.....Hunt, Benjamin Powell 1849 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 September 20, 2011, 4:10 pm

Source: See below
Author: Smith & De Land, publishers

  BENJAMIN POWELL HUNT was born in Franklin County, Tenn., in September, 1849,
and is a son of George W. Hunt, a native of Franklin County. His mother's maiden
name was Priscilla Powell.

  Ben. P. Hunt spent his younger days near Salem, Tenn., but when the war broke
out his parents moved to Winchester, that State, and there he received his
education. When twenty years of age he begun the study of law, and in 1870
entered the law department in the University of Virginia, remaining there about
six months. He was admitted to the bar in November of the same year, and
practiced in Winchester until February, 1882, when he located at Huntsville, and
there practiced law one year. After this, he became connected with the
Huntsville Mercury as its editor, and began the publication of the daily issue
of that paper August 21, 1885.

  When Mr. Hunt first took charge of the editorial columns of the Mercury it was
a weekly paper with a patent outside, and with a circulation not exceeding 500,
but when he severed his connection with it, in August, 1887, the weekly had a
subscription list of about 1,100, and the daily was fairly upon its feet and
making money.

  Under his administration, the Mercury was the telling champion of Huntsville
and her growing industries, and the present prosperity of her various
manufactures and the "great boom" of the city is largely due to Mr. Hunt's
influence. He was the prime mover in the organization of the Huntsville & Elora
Railroad, and he devoted the columns of his paper, and his individual influence
to the consummation of that important enterprise.

  Having severed his connection with the Mercury, Mr. Hunt, on the 23d of
August, 1887, accepted the editorship of 'The Independent, a rival daily, then
but recently established at Huntsville, and this publication has since been the
chief recipient of his labors.* He is also correspondent for several foreign
newspapers and magazines.

  Mr. Hunt is justly ranked as one of the most brilliant writers in the South,
and as one of the most perfect gentlemen.

  *Since the above was written. Mr. Hunt has severed his connection with The
Independent, and is identified with the North Alabama Improvement Company. 


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Northern Alabama: Historical and Biographical
Birmingham, Ala.: Smith and De Land
1888

PART IV.
MONOGRAPHS OF THE PRINCIPAL CITIES AND TOWNS IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ALABAMA,
TOGETHER WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF MANY OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVE PEOPLE.


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