HUNT, Tilghman
Source:
Indianapolis News 12 June 1906 page 5
Plainfield,
Ind June 12 – Dr. Tilghman Hunt for 40 years in the practice of medicine in
Hendricks, Morgan and Putnam Counties, died at his home here at 7 a.m. today
after an illness of two weeks. He was 68 years old and a pioneer in the
practice of medicine in this part of the state.
Dr. Hunt was born at Friendship, NC April 8, 1828, and he was of Quaker
origin. He spent his boyhood days on his father’s farm attending school during
the brief terms offered by the schools there at that time and he continued to live
in North Carolina until 1860. When the Civil War seemed certain Dr. Hunt
decided to come North for his sympathies were with the Union and he feared that
by remaining in NC he would be forced to serve the Confederacy. For six years
after he came North he continued to attend school, teaching in alternate years
and working on farms or engaging in whatever work offered itself in vacation
times to get money for the school terms. It was by means of such efforts as
these that he was able to complete his education and make his way through the
Indiana Medical College. Soon after Dr.
Hunt arrived in Indiana he received an appeal from his brother, Stephen Hunt,
who had remained in Carolina to aid him in leaving that State for his
sympathies, too, were with the North and he was about to be forced to serve in
the army of the South. An effort had been made to capture him but he had
concealed himself and after much difficulty he was rescued and Dr. Hunt
arranged to have him come to Indiana. Dr. Stephen Hunt now practices medicine
at Coatsville. Early in 1866 Dr. Tilghman Hunt entered the practice of medicine
at Coatsville and in August of the same year married Amanda E. Harvey, who
lived south of Mooresville where the doctor had taught school. Mrs. Hunt had
before their marriage been a pupil in his school. In the days when Dr. Hunt opened his office
at Coatsville the well-made roads which stretch forth in every direction in
Hendricks County now were undreamed of and for the greater part of every year
he was compelled to make his visits into the country on horseback. There were
few bridges in thos days, too and the doctor had many harrowing experiences in
the fording of the streams of that section during the spring and winter
floods. Many a time when what was then
known commonly as ague was so prevalent every spring, Dr. Hunt was on his horse
for most of every day and night for he was the only doctor for many miles
around in his later days, Dr. Hunt was fond of relating the incidents of his
early practice. While most of his education was acquired after he left school,
Dr. Hunt was a highly educated man. He was a master of Greek, Latin and Hebrew
and he had fair knowledge of French and German. He was a careful English
student and even during the last few months continued to the study of the books
which had been his life-time companions.
In 1888 Dr. Hunt moved to Greencastle to educate his children and he
lived there and practiced medicine for six years when he came to Plainfield.
Besides his widow, eight children survive. They are: Herbert Hunt for many
years with the Indianapolis Sun but now with the News at Tacoma, Wash; Mrs.
Will H. Latts, A. Edwin Hunt, John S. Hunt and Carl Hunt of Indianapolis and
Helen, Mabel and Agnes Hunt of Plainfield. The funeral will be held at the home
in Plainfield Thursday morning at 10:30. - kbz