Hunt - William F - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

William F. Hunt died about 1:15 last Friday afternoon at his room at the residence of Rev. W. H. Kerr on West Pike Street. Mr. Hunt had been ill for several weeks; in fact ever since attending the Chicago convention, but he was not confined to his bed until about four weeks ago. His illness was typhoid fever, and he seemed to have passed the dangerous period and to be doing well until Wednesday, when he took a turn for the worse and rapidly declined. The funeral occurred Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the residence of Rev. W. H. Kerr under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity.

Few death have occurred here of late years, which have caused more wide spread regret and sorrow than Will Hunt’s. He had an acquaintance, perhaps, second to no one in the county, and all who knew him esteemed him. He was a frank and confiding character, honest with all men and with a heart open to sympathy and succor. His own struggle with the world was an onerous and arduous one, and in his success all who knew him rejoiced.

The difficulties he surmounted were great ones and his life was almost romantic in its story. He was left a penniless orphan at an early age and added to this misfortune was an incurable lameness. He could walk and work but the effort was greater for him, except in spirit, than for men more favored by nature. He was raised on a farm as a common hand, and no one saw more of the rough and hard side of that life than he did. But he was resolved on greater things and he spent the long winter evenings in study. He well nigh educated himself and saw little of the common school room except as a teacher, he having taught several terms when a mere boy. Finally he came to Wabash College—desperately poor and with an address and presence which at first sight were all against him. But he won and went right through from Junior Prep to senior year and was graduated with honor and distinction in the best class old Wabash ever put out, that of 1890. He struggled hard and worked like a Trojan all the way through his course to make both ends meet and he did it. He made himself a prime favorite with all, students and professors honoring him alike.

Mr. Hunt was hardly graduated before he was nominated by the Democrats for the office of county surveyor and was elected by one of the largest majorities ever given in the county, running several hundred ahead of his ticket. He was re-elected in 1892 and filled the office with great credit. He refused to make the race in 1894 and began the study of law with Jere West. He was soon admitted to the bar and rose rapidly in the profession. Last year he formed a partnership with Hon. F. M. Dice and this continued until dissolved by Mr. Hunt’s death.

Mr. Hunt was an Odd Fellow, a Mason, and a Knight of Pythias and took high rank in each order. He was a gentleman esteemed by all and in his death the community loses a good and noble citizen. -s