BIOGRAPHY: Hunt, Hiram H.
From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875

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HIRAM H. HUNT, M.D. – Among the medical men who are now dispensing relief and 
comfort to afflicted humanity in Buchanan County, there are none who, by long practice, 
have so thoroughly identified themselves with the people as the subject of this imperfect 
sketch, Dr. Hiram H. Hunt, who for nearly a quarter of a century has untiringly devoted 
the best energies of his life to the practice of the healing art, enduring the storms and 
rigors of an extreme climate and all the privations and hardships of frontier life.  Reared 
in the less sever and more indulgent climate of Maryland, in the grand old City of 
Baltimore, where he was born on Independence Day, 1823, he has never shrunk from the 
severe hardships and privations incident to the practice of his chosen profession in a new 
country, where the Storm King of Winter sweeps the unobstructed prairie with terrific 
grandeur.  His father, Rev. John N. Hunt, was a Baptist Clergyman, who, though in 
uncomfortable circumstances, could not afford young Hiram many of the luxuries 
enjoyed by the more fortunate city-bred youths.  He remained in Baltimore, attending 
public school most of the time, until he was thirteen years of age, when he removed with 
his parents to Belmont County, Ohio, where he made his home till 1853, when he 
removed to Iowa.  After locating in Ohio, he entered _____Seminary, then under charge 
of Professor N. R. Smith, where he remained for several years completing his academic 
education and supporting himself, aside from the little voluntary aid tendered him by 
friends.  He read medicine in the office of Dr. John T. Markle, at Barnesville, Ohio, 
completing his studies and entering into practice in 1845.  As he was about leaving for 
the West, in 1853, he received without solicitation, from his preceptor and other eminent 
medical men of his acquaintance, highly flattering certificates of character and 
professional ability.

He landed at Independence, Iowa, October 22, 1853, and immediately entered upon the 
practice of his profession, soon securing, by his success and skillful management of 
difficult cases, an excellent reputation and a large practice, which he has continuously 
held up to the present time, excepting the three years he was in the Union army.  At some 
seasons he has been compelled to ride night and day, requiring seven horses to do his 
work, always doing a large amount of charity practice, to which he gave the same care 
and attention as to his wealthiest and best paying patients.

Being a strong Republican and an earnest supporter of the Government, he did not wait 
for a commission or an advantageous appointment, but as soon as he could arrange his 
business, so as to leave without pecuniary loss, enlisted as a private soldier.  August 15, 
1862, in Company H, 27th Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers.  He was soon detached as 
hospital steward, in which capacity he served for some eight months, when he was – June 
6, 1863 – appointed and commissioned Assistant Surgeon of the 21st Regiment Iowa 
Infantry Volunteers.  He remained with this regiment until the close of the war, and was 
mustered out with them at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, July 15, 1864, having been promoted 
to Surgeon of the regiment a short time before.  He served mostly in the Department of 
the Gulf, seeing all kinds of duty, in hospital, field and campaign, rendering efficient 
service and acquiring an experience in surgery and other difficult practice that has been 
of great benefit to him in later years.

An earnest, enthusiastic Republican, Dr. Hunt has never sought – in fact, has ever refused 
– political office, never holding any but that of coroner, which he has acceptably filled 
most of the time for the last fifteen years.

He was married, December 9, 1852, at Brainerd's Mill, Ohio, to Miss Almira Salters, by 
whom he has had seven children, only four of whom are living.  The oldest daughter is 
married.