HUNT, Lyman C.

Lyman C. HUNT, an agriculturist of energy and ability, who is residing on section15, Whitefield township, Marshall county, was born in Putnam county, April 20, 1835, about four miles above Magnolia, at the head of Sunday creek, and is the son of Richard and Ruth (HORROM) HUNT, both natives of New Jersey. The mother’s birth occurred at Trenton, in 1812, and as early as 1832 she came to Illinois with her brother, Lyman HORROM. Her mother having died, her father, Dr. Timothy HORROM, came to Illinois soon afterward, and engaged in practice near Morris, but his last days were passed at the home of his son Daniel.

On the 1st of January, 1833, Ruth HORROM became the wife of Richard HUNT, and they became the parents of the following children – Lyman C., of this review is the eldest; Mahlon L., who during the civil war became a member of Company B, Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was wounded at Lookout Mountain, from the effects of which he died in the hospital in October, 1862, at the age of twenty-five years, and his remains were brought home and interred six months later; Timothy owns and operates a farm which belonged to his father; Sylvia is the wife of A. J. DEIHL, of Henry, Illinois; Eleanor is on a claim at Hennessey, Oklahoma; Jennie, who became the wife of R. H. DELMEDGE, died at their home in Lorimer, Iowa, July 25, 1894, at the age of forty-seven years, leaving a husband and three children to mourn her loss; Ruth is the wife of Benjamin ANDREWS, of Ford county, Illinois, and Mary is with her sister on a claim at Hennessey, Oklahoma.

It was in 1828, that Richard HUNT, the father of our subject came to Illinois, located a claim on Ox Bow prairie, and three years later the family removed to the place. Although born in New Jersey, from the age of nine years he had resided near Zanesville, Richland county, Ohio, whence he came to Marshall county. After a two years’ residence here, his father, Enoch HUNT, went to Bloomington, where he made his permanent home and there died, but his sons, John, Cornelius and Richard, all made homes near the head of Sunday creek. There the uncles of our subject reared their families and spent their last days. For some time his parents lived on the Ox Bow, and for two years at the head of Sunday creek, after which they returned to the former place. In 1842, however, they settled on the west side of the river in Whitefield township, Marshall county, then but sparsely settled. He entered several tracts of land, which he would subsequently dispose of and in this way made considerable money. The land office was then located at Galena, a distance of one hundred and twenty-five miles, and the journey thither would occupy one day and two nights, and he would generally reach the land office in time for it to open at nine a. m. He had many a race to that city in order to get ahead of some competitor. He dealt in land quite extensively and still had at the time of his death one thousand acres, which were divided among his children. He improved two good farms of about one-half section. He participated in the Black Hawk war, being a member of a scouting party for four months and helped to bury the DAVIS family who were massacred and two of the HALL girls carried away. His death occurred in September, 1881, at the age of seventy-seven years. Originally, he was a democrat, but later supported the republican party, whose principles he stanchly advocated, and did all he could to sustain the government during the civil war. Though not a member of any church, he was quite familiar with the Bible, and gave his support to religious organizations. Mrs. HUNT survived him until the summer of 1894, when she too was called to her final rest. They were buried side by side in Whitefield cemetery, where a nice family monument marks the spot.

Lyman C. HUNT, whose name introduces this review, spent his boyhood and youth in the usual manner of farmer’s sons, and remained under the parental roof until thirty-five years of age, the last ten years having charge of affairs. He first settled on land adjoining the old homestead, which he had partly improved while at home, but since 1873 has lived upon his present farm, which consists of five hundred acres of valuable land. He has engaged quite extensively in stock raising, making a specialty of horses, and has had some imported Shire horses upon his place. He has also raised cattle and sheep in considerable numbers. Besides his home farm he has also invested in lands in Kansas and Nebraska.

In 1871 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. HUNT and Miss Mary COAN, daughter of David COAN, of Henry, and to them were born two children, but one died in infancy. The other, Ola Grant, is operating a farm near his father. In 1874 the wife and mother died, and on the 8th of March, 1882, Mr. HUNT was again married, his second union being with Miss Maria VanALLEN, who was born near Wenona, Illinois, in La Salle county, and is the daughter of J. L. and Sarah VanALLEN. Previous to her marriage she had engaged in teaching in Marshall county. Three children grace the second union – Lawrence R. and Elmer Lee, both in school, and Estella, who for the past two years has been in ill health, and receives the watchful and tender care of her mother.

Although not taking an active part in politics, Mr. HUNT always supports the republican ticket and generally attends the county conventions. He and his estimable wife hold a prominent position in the social circles of the community and have the confidence and esteem of all who known them.

Extracted April 2011 by Norma Hass from The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois, 1896.

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