Walter G. Hunt, organizer and manager of the Brighton Mutual
Telephone Company, also prominently identified with other lines of
business, is numbered among the enterprising and successful men of
Macoupin county. His life is a practical demonstration of what may be
attained by a man of energy and determination, actuated by a worthy
ambition to accomplish honorable aims. He was born in Dorsetshire,
England, May 27, 1865, a son of William and Dinah (Myall) Hunt. The
parents died in the old country, the mother, however, having spent three
years with her children in America.
Mr. Hunt of this review was
educated in the common schools and as he grew to maturity applied
himself to the cabinet-maker’s trade. At the age of nineteen he
emigrated to the United States and proceeded direct to Golden City,
Barton county, Missouri, the home of a brother, Albert, who had arrived
in this country two years previously. He found employment under his
brother in the contracting and building business, continuing with him
for a year, and then was engaged in other lines for three years. In 1888
he removed to Kemper, Jersey county, Illinois, and applied himself to
railroad work, painting, carpentering, farming or any other honorable
occupation that was available. At the age of twenty-five he was married
and took up his residence with his bride upon a farm known as the old
Hart place, of which he had been the owner for two or three years. In
March, 1893, he traded his farm for a furniture and undertaking
establishment at Brighton and removed to this city, which he has since
made his home. He applied himself diligently to his business, and it has
since largely increased under his effective management. In 1902 he
organized the Brighton Mutual Telephone Company, of which he has since
been the head. He also associated with others in the organization of the
First National Bank at Brighton in April, 1909, and is a member of the
board of directors of that institution. He has been very active in local
affairs and was one of the leaders in effecting the organization of the
volunteer fire company of Brighton and has had charge of the engine ever
since it was purchased. The funds for the fire bell were secured by
popular subscription but there was no money in the treasury for the
erection of a tower. Mr. Hunt suggested a voting contest as to the most
popular young lady in the city, and the money for the tower was soon
forthcoming. The tower was dedicated by a picnic which was called the
Betsey Ann picnic and has since been held annually, being recognized as
one of the noted events of this section. Mr. Hunt served as president of
the Betsey Ann society for about six years after its organization. His
energy has also found expression in the establishment of a picture show
at Brighton, being associated in this undertaking with W. H. Robings.
On the 29th of November, 1890, Mr. Hunt was married, at Piasa,
Illinois, to Mrs. Mary E. Denny, whose maiden name was Mary E. Reynolds,
and to this union eight children have been born, five of whom survive,
Gladys, Dorothy, Walter G., Paul, and Marcella. All of the children are
living at home.
Politically Mr. Hunt is an adherent of the
republican party, of which he is an earnest supporter, being at the
present time a member of the county central committee. He has served
with general acceptance to the people as tax collector of Brighton,
member of the town board and township clerk, and is now filling the
office of clerk of the school board of the township. Fraternally he is
identified with Brighton Lodge, No. 366, I. O. O. F., and has passed
through all the chairs in that organization. He is also a member of the
Rebekahs and of Brighton Camp, No. 1688, M. W. A. He and his family are
connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a man of unusual
business capacity and accomplishes with apparent ease what would appear
to be impossible to many of less resourceful mind. He is one of the
foremost citizens of Brighton, and justly deserves the high regard in
which he is held by a large and growing circle of friends and
associates.
Extracted 14 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 311-312.
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