William M. Hunt, of Green Township, comes of a family who have been intimately associated with the history of Wayne County for almost a century, during which time the unbroken forests have given place to fertile farms, with multitudes of happy homes and flourishing villages. In this great work of progress the Hunts have borne an important part, and at all times they have been relied upon to do everything in their power for the permanent good of the community.

Charles Hunt, great-grandfather of William M., was a native of the colony of New Jersey, born in 1742. When he arrived at manhood he married Francina Smith and removed to Rowan County, North Carolina. They had nine sons and five daughters, namely: Jonathan. James, Mary, Timothy, Rebecca, George, John, Sarah, Smith, William, Nancy, Catherine, Charles and Stephen Gano. Rebecca and Mary married and removed to Kentucky, and the others with their father, Charles Hunt, located in what is now Wayne County, Indiana, and their descendants are doubtless to be found in all parts of the union.

Timothy Hunt, the grandfather of our subject. married Isabel Dewey, and in 1805 emigrated from North Carolina to Ohio, and the following year came to the wilderness of Indiana. Entering land in what later was known as Abington Township, Wayne County, he made a home on the then western border of civilization, and passed the rest of his life in that locality.

The only survivor of his household is Charles Hunt, who still resides on the old home place where he was born, in Abington Township. There were two other sans, Andrew and Levi, and the only daughter, Eliza, became the wife of Samuel Fouts, and removed to Adams County, Indiana. Charles Hunt has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, as were his ancestors, and has improved and cultivated his farm successfully. His companion and helpmate along life's journey was formerly Miss Lucinda Jarvis, her parents being Benjamin and Sarah Jarvis, pioneers of Boston Township, Wayne County, where the birth of Mrs. Hunt took place. The marriage of Charles Hunt and wife was blessed with three sons, Benjamin, Frank T. and William M. Frank, who was born February 27, 1837, died February 16, 1862, unmarried. Benjamin, whose death occurred in 1890, left seven children, five of whom are Sons:

William M. Hunt was born in Abington Township, Wayne County, July 30, 1840, on the same farm where his father's birth had occurred, in 1813, and his grandfather had located in 1806. He was reared to a thorough and practical knowledge of farming and in his boyhood attended not only district schools but the college at Centerville, Wayne County. On the 9th of February, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and upon the organization of the company was made first sergeant. June 13, 1865, he was promoted to the second lieutenancy, in which position he continued to serve until his discharge, August 31, following. His regiment was included in Hovey's famous brigade, and participated in General Sherman's Atlanta campaign -- Peach Tree Greek, Resaca, and other noted battles. The One Hundred and Twenty-fourth was detached and sent to the reinforcement of General Thomas, who was operating against the rebel forces in the vicinity of Nash-ville, and, as every one knows, the campaign resulted in the success of the Union troops and the destruction of Hood's command. Then ordered to join General Sherman on the Atlantic coast, our subject and his regiment carried out that program, going by way of Washington to the south, and subsequently taking part in the battle of Goldsboro, North Carolina. They 'were mustered out of the army at Greensboro, North Carolina, and, return-ing to Indianapolis, were honorably discharged.

The autumn of 1865 found Mr. Hunt at his old home in Abington Township, resuming his accustomed occupations. He was married September 23, 1866, to Miss Josephine S. Lewis, daughter of Joseph and Patsy (Boyd) Lewis, pioneers of this County. The father was born in North Carolina, February 6, 1794, a son of John and Sarah Lewis, and the mother, who was a daughter of Samuel K. and Isabella Boyd, was born in Kentucky, Novernber 27, 1800. This worthy couple, Joseph and Patsy (Boyd) Lewis, came to this state at an early day and settled upon the farm now owned by Mrs. Hunt, and here they dwelt until death. They were not long separated, for Mr. Lewis passed away March 4, 1882, and his wife died upon the 22d of October following. Mrs. Josephine S. Hunt was born upon the old homestead where her whole life was passed, September 10, 1840, and was summoned to the silent land December 22, 1893

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