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 ADISON HUNT, manufacturer of and
dealer in tile and brick, owns 160 acres of
land on sections 6 and 7, in North Okaw
Township, where for the last year he has
been prosecuting his chosen calling extensively and
profitably. He is considered one of the rising young
business men of the northwestern part of Coles
County, and much is expected of him in the future.
Mr. Hunt was born of a good family, first opening his eyes to the light in Jasper County, this
State, Aug. 30, 1858. His grandfather, Joseph
Hunt, a native of Ohio, was born Sept. 29, 1805,
and was engaged in farming and carpentering all
his life. In early manhood he married Miss Nancy
McCalip, who was born June 21, 1806, in Ohio,
and became his wife July 27, 1824. Seventeen
years later they emigrated with their family to this
State, arriving in Jasper County. Nov. 19, 1841,
where they took up their residence, and where the
death of Joseph Hunt occurred May 20, 1857.
His wife, Nancy, survived him until Sept. 26, 1868.
Their nine children were Zimiriah, who died when
fifty-five years old; Elisha, a resident of Douglas
County; Alfred, of Coles County; Elizabeth, the
wife of John McComis, of Kansas; Leann, the wife
of Jacob Dettimore, of Kansas; John, deceased,
also Sarah; Joseph, a resident of Washington Territory, and James T., of Kansas. The grandparents
were buried in the Hunt Cemetery in Jasper
County. The father of our subject was born Jan. 20, 1831, and remained under the parental roof until reaching manhood. His school advantages were extremely limited. He was but eleven years of age when his parents came to Jasper County, and soon after reaching his majority he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Harris, of Ohio. His father presented him with a wedding gift of forty acres of land in Jasper County, which, however, he sold not long afterward, and dealt in land in that locality for some time thereafter. Upon coming to this county in the spring of 1859, he rented a tract of land in Lafayette Township, upon which he operated until he purchased the land which constitutes his present farm. This he has brought to a fine state of cultivation, the lowland being thoroughly drained with tile, and has brought about all the improvements required by the progressive, modern farmer. Of the six children born to Alfred and Nancy Hunt, Joseph and the two following died in infancy; Elisha died when an interesting lad nine years of age; Ardilla became the wife of Willis Hand, and is a resident of Coles County; Madison, of our sketch, was the youngest of the family. Our subject attended the primary school during his childhood and completed his studies in Lee’s Academy, at Loxa, where he took a full course of instruction. After leaving the academy he commenced teaching, which he followed a short time, then rented a tract of land in Coles County, and carried on farming. He was united in marriage with Miss Emma Ellison, of North Okaw Township, on the 21st of January, 1880, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride. Mrs. Hunt was born in Ohio, Feb. 28, 1848, and is the daughter of Moses and Mary A. (Lockridge) Ellison, natives of the same State. After his marriage Mr. Hunt rented land in Humbolt Township, and a year later removed to the place where he now resides. During the fall of 1886, he became associated with his brother-in-law, S. J. Jackson, in the manufacture of tile and brick, the business being carried on under the firm name of Jackson & Hunt. Both are wide awake and energetic men, and are building up a prosperous and lucrative business, receiving orders from all parts of the county and beyond. Mr. Hunt usually votes with the Democratic party, although having but little time to give to political matters. His wife is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The household circle was completed by the advent of five children, namely, Ellison, born June 23, 1882; Louis A. and Luella, twins, May 30, 1883; Maggie, July 31, 1884; Claude, Aug. 11, 1886; Luella died in infancy. |
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