My Genealogy Hound

William Hunt, one of the well-to-do farmers and progressive citizens of Royal Oak township, Oakland County, residing on his farm of 103 acres in section 6, was born in Groveland township, Oakland County, Michigan, in 1850.

Henry Hunt, his father, was born in Orange County, New York, and died in 1879, at the age of 87 years. He lies buried in Mount Bethel Cemetery. Coming to Michigan in 1827 among the early settlers, he located his homestead of 160 acres in Groveland township, and there improved and cultivated a fine farm which continued to be his home for the remainder of his life. In young manhood, he learned the trades of a blacksmith and wagonmaker and followed them for some years until he took up farming.

He was a leading citizen of his locality, honored and respected by all who knew him. He was originally a Whig, and became a Republican at the time that party was organized. He was a justice of the peace in Grover township for 28 years, and as a member of the School Board for a long term was much interested in the schools and educational systems of his time. By his first marriage, he had three children, as follows: Perry, Corneille and Sarah. By his second marriage, with Hannah Stevens, daughter of John Stevens, he had four children, as follows: Calista, who married Christian Kist; Eliza, deceased; Mary Jane, who married Harvey Stevens; and William. Our subject’s mother, who was a native of Orange County, New York, died in 1888 at the age of 70 years. She was for the greater portion of her life a consistent and thorough-going member of the Presbyterian Church.

William Hunt was educated in the district schools of Groveland township and naturally took to farming operations. For the last seven years he has owned and operated his present farm of 103 acres in section 6, Royal Oak township. He is an agent for the Deering Harvester Company for his locality.

Mr. Hunt was married, in 1871, to Jennie Farrand, who was born in 1852 and is a daughter of Bethnel and Sarah (King) Farrand, the former of Irish and the latter of English stock. They have one child, Jay. Mrs. Hunt is a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject is a Republican in politics, and has filled a number of the township offices. In fraternal relations he is a Mason.