Biographical Sketches

ALPHONSO L. HUNT, M. D.

Is a common experience of the historical investigator to find that the most prominent and successful business men, in many instances, have been reared on farms. The cities are full of country-bred boys, who, with enterprising and adventurous spirits and restless intellects and praiseworthy ambitions, have entered commercial or professional life and won both wealth and fame. To this class belongs Dr. Hunt.

His birth occurred in Lawrence, Kansas, on the 7th of October, 1857, and his parents are Felix G. and Rebecca (Cartwright) Hunt. The grandfather, Thomas T. Hunt, was a native of Guilford county, North Carolina, but spent his last days in Henry county, Indiana, where he died at about the age of 60 years. He learned the tinner's trade, but carried on agricultural pursuits throughout the greater part of his business career. The maternal grandfather of the Doctor, John Cartwright, lived near Richmond, Indiana, where he also followed farming. His death occurred when he had reached the age of 75 years.

The father of our subject was a native of Guilford Court House, North Carolina, and for some years engaged in the practice of medicine in Emporia, Kansas. In early years, however, he followed the tanning business. His childhood was passed in the state of his nativity, but, being of the Quaker faith and opposed to slavery, he was driven from that state. He was one of the first hundred of free-state men to settle in Leavenworth, Kansas, taking up his residence there in 1856. At the breaking out of the civil war he was serving as United State district assessor for the counties of Morris, Chase, Lyon, Greenwood and Woodson, Kansas. He is now living retired at Patrick, Arkansas. While in Indiana he married Rebecca Cartwright, a native of Henry county, that state. Her death occurred in Patrick, Arkansas, in 1894, when about 64 years of age. They were the parents of 7 children, 6 sons and 1 daughter, namely: Alphonso L., Oliver W., Theodore Parker, Lawrence W., Maude, Jay Guy and Claude C.

We now turn our attention to one of Kansas City's best known and most capable physicians. He was reared on the old home farm, attended school until 14 years of age, and continued under the paternal roof until he had attained his majority. He then started out in life for himself, learning the barber's trade, which he followed for a short time, but the practice of medicine seemed to him a broader field of labor and of usefulness and be began its study in the University Medical College of Kansas City, at which institution he was graduated with the class of March, 1885.

Dr. Hunt entered upon practice in Armourdale, where he continued for 2 years, when he went to Pueblo, Coloardo, also spending 2 years there. On the expiration of that period he returned to Kansas City, where he has since successfully engaged in general practice. He makes a specialty, however, of diseases of the eye and in his treatment has been very successful. His skill and ability have been demonstrated by the excellent results which follow his efforts, and thus he has obtained a good business, although his professional career covers a period of only 10 years. He is a member of the Jackson County Medical Society.

On the 23rd of November, 1885, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Stokes, daughter of W. H. and Elizabeth Stokes. Three children have been born to this union; Kennth L., who died at the age of 3 years; Edith and Emory. Their home is located at No. 2901 Main street and is noted for its hospitality. Socially the Doctor is connected with the Royal Arcanum, and is one of the active and prominent members of the Labor Exchange, a benevolent institution organized under the laws of Missouri. He is a man of broad mind and kindly heart, very charitable, and his benevolence is entirely free of ostentation.

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This page was last updated August 2, 2006.