Charles S. Hunt

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: BROWN, HUNT, SHANK, STEWART

CHARLES S. HUNT, a young and enterprising farmer of Harwood Township, was born in Union County, Ind., May 9, 1854, and was the youngest child of Aaron and Jane (BROWN) HUNT. His father was a native of Ohio, born near Cincinnati, and was the son of Charles and Mary HUNT.

Aaron Hunt was one of the early settlers of Montgomery County, Ind. His wife was a native of Union County, Ind., and was the daughter of William and Mary BROWN, who were also among the earliest pioneers of that State. In 1860 Aaron Hunt came to Illinois, locating in Champaign County, where he remained for about twenty years. Having suffered an irreparable loss in the death of his beloved wife, and feeling unsettled in his home, he changed his residence to Dakota. He now makes his home in the family of his married daughter.

Charles S. Hunt left home to seek his own fortune in the world at the age of sixteen, with only the meager educational advantages of the district school to aid his clear head, brave heart and strong hands in fighting the battle of life. He first worked on a farm for two years, gaining something in experience, if but little in capital. His next venture was to engage in farming for himself on rented land, which he continued to do for about five years. His prospects having materially improved, his next venture was matrimonial. Feb. 5, 1877, he married Miss Annie STEWART, the second child of Charles and Mary (SHANK) STEWART, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively.

Mr. Hunt first settled near the home of his wife's mother, where he engaged in farming for one season. He then conducted a farm eighteen months, for Mr. Breiner, and when his engagement with that gentleman terminated, he moved to section 30, Harwood Township, where he has remained for the past seven years. He is an active, energetic man, and is quite extensively engaged in raising the finest breeds of stock-Short-horn cattle, Norman horses, Poland-China hogs and Southdown sheep. He always votes with the Republican party, and has been elected Collector two years successively on that ticket.