Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Hunt, John J 
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Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907

John J. Hunt, deceased, who dated his residence in Joliet, Will county, from 
the 17th of July, 1851, was for many years actively engaged in agricultural 
pursuits and became the owner of valuable farm property, but for several years 
prior to his demise lived retired in Joliet. He was born in Glastonbury, 
Somersetshire, England, November 7, 1832, a son of Joseph and Charlotte 
(Green) Hunt, both of whom were natives of the mother country and died in 
Lancastershire. In their family were three sons and three daughters. Mr. Hunt 
remained at home until he reached the age of eighteen years and then crossed 
the briny deep to the land which had attracted him by its promise of broader 
business opportunities for the exercise of the energy and perseverance which 
were his dominant qualities. After landing on the Atlantic coast he made his 
way to the Prairie state, reaching Joliet in midsummer of 1851. He soon 
afterward found employment on a farm on Hickory creek, where he worked by the 
month for about seven years, when, desiring that his labors should more 
directly benefit himself, he rented a farm belonging to William Ferguson. The 
following three years were spent as a renter on an estate belonging to William 
Hughes. While living there Mr. Hunt was married, on the 7th of May, 1861, to 
Miss Olive J. Wheeler, who was born in Vermont, June 23, 1839. Her parents 
were David N. and Lydia (Stanley) Wheeler, also natives of the Green Mountain 
state, whence they came to Illinois in the '50s, settling in Frankfort 
township. Their family consisted of five sons and five daughters, of whom Mrs. 
Hunt is the eldest. For nearly two years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. 
Hunt resided upon the Hughes farm, after which they purchased property in 
Manhattan township, where they made their home for thirteen years. Mr. Hunt 
became the owner of two hundred acres in Manhattan township, and five acres on 
section 22 and fifty acres on section 23, Joliet township. He broke the land 
and improved the fields, placing the farm under a high state of cultivation. 
He devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits and stock-
raising and in this work was quite successful, becoming recognized as one of 
the leading farmers of the county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hunt were born four 
children: Joseph C., who is now a merchant at Ducker's Corner, Joliet; Mrs. 
Cora E. Hinckley, a resident of Chicago Heights; John W., a traveling 
engineer, who makes his home in Michigan City, Indiana; and Mrs. Edna E. 
Infold, who is living in Joliet. In his political views Mr. Hunt was a 
stalwart republican from the time when he became a naturalized American 
citizen. He has never sought or desired office, preferring to concentrate his 
efforts and energies upon his business affairs. He knew the value of earnest, 
persistent labor, and as the years advanced he won a place among the foremost 
representatives of agricultural life in Will county and at the same time made 
a most honorable record for business reliability. He passed away January 27, 
1899, being a resident forty-eight years in the county, during which time he 
gained a wide and favorable acquaintance. While he had a sincere attachment 
for the land of his birth, he regarded America as his home and was most loyal 
to its institutions, having the deepest love for the republic. 

Additional Comments:
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907

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