Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Hunt, Theophilus C. March 25, 1809 - 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 16, 2009, 2:08 am

Author: Chapman Brothers

THEOPHILUS C. HUNT, an early settler of Big Rapids, was born at Holliston, 
Norfolk Co., Mass., March 25, 1809.  His father, William Hunt, was a 
descendant of English ancestry, and was born in Windham Co., Vt.  His mother 
also came of British ancestry and was a native of Holliston.  The parents were 
agriculturalists and reared their children on the home farm, where Mr. Hunt 
lived until he was 18 years old.  In 1827 he formed a partnership with his 
brother-in-law, William E. Burr, and commenced the hardware business, a 
relation which existed until the death of the latter about 15 years later.  
During the last few years of their transactions they were established at 
Simcoe, Norfolk Co., Canada.  After the death of Mr. Burr, Mr. Hunt was 
engaged in the "Connecticut clock" business, managing a considerable trade by 
means of traveling salesmen.  He was thus engaged about five years, when he 
changed his line of goods and imported teas for a time.  Meanwhile he bought a 
steam saw-mill, which he managed until 1859.

In that year he came to Big Rapids and bought 40 acres of land on sec. 22, 
where he engaged in farming and also managed a shoe shop.  He brought his 
workman, Robert Palmer, with him from Canada, who was the first shoemaker in 
Mecosta County.  Mr. Palmer is living at Hungerford, Newaygo Co.  The latter 
business was in existence two years, with an interval of a year between.  
About the year 1864 he embarked in the lumber trade, buting 280 acres of 
standing pine, which was cut and placed in Lazell's mill yard.  The steam saw-
mill of that gentleman was the only establishment of its kind at Big Rapids, 
then Leonard.  Mr. Hunt carried on the lumber traffic four years, operating 
quite extensively most of that time and employing a number of men.

In 1870 Mr. Hunt bought the Waldon Hotel, known then as the Rose House.  He 
put it in attractive order and after managing it personally a year he rented 
it.  A year later he resumed its management.  In 1879 his affairs became 
embarrassed and he suspended active business.  About the same time he was 
elected Justice of the Peace and opened an office in the Northern National 
Bank block with C. W. Nottingham.  On the completion of the Fairman & Newton 
block, they transferred their quarters and business there.  Mr. Hunt 
transacted the affairs of his officail position and dealt in real estate until 
the spring of 1882, when he vacated his incumbency, but is still operating in 
land.  He was Supervisor of the Fifth Ward in 1880 and 1882, and owns a house 
and lot on Fourth Avenue.

He was married in Oxford Co., Ccan., Oct. 6, 1839, to Martha A., daughter of 
Elisha and Angeline Harris, born in the same place in May, 1820.  Following is 
the record of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hunt:  William F., 
deceased; Charles G., resident at Minneapolis, Minn.; Maria, deceased; Warren 
A., lately City Marshal of Big Rapids; Lucinda M., wife of John London, ticket 
agent of the D.L. & N. R.R. Co.; Mary A., wife of F.N. Lattimer, druggist at 
Ludington, deid in November, 1882.

Warren A. Hunt was one of the most popular and efficient officers of the 
municipality of Big Rapids.  Desiring to change his circumstances he resigned 
his office in September, 1883.  On the accpetance of his resignation by the 
Common Council he was made the recipient of an elegant gold watch and chain as 
a testimonial of the esteem in which he was held.  His future residence will 
be Minneapolis, Minn.

Mr. Hunt is enabled by reference to the "Genealogy of the Hunt Family," 
published in 1863 by W.L.G. Hunt, of Boston, Mass., to trace his descent 
through eight generations.  We quote:  "I am the son of William Hunt, the 16th 
of Brattlebor, Vt., who was the son of Ephraim (6th), second son of William 
(2d), of Braintree, Mass., who was the son of Ephraim (2d) of Weymouth, Mass., 
who was the son of Ephraim (1st), of Weymouth, who was the son of Enoch, of 
Weymouth, my English ancestor.  Enoch HUnt came from Tittenden, Lee Parish, 
Buckinghamshire, Eng., with two sons, Ephraim and Peter, in 1638."  Mr. Hunt's 
portrait is inserted on the proceeding page of this volume.

Additional Comments:
1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/hunt537nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/

File size: 4.8 Kb