Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Clayton Hunt
Clayton Hunt was born in Burlington County, N. J., June 26, 1815, of Scotch descent, a son of John and Ann (Brown) Hunt. His father died in 1821 and his mother in 1857. They had a family of six children — Joseph B.; Susan B., wife of Richard Redrick; Esther W., wife of Abner Scott; Clayton, Benjamin, and Beulah. Esther and Clayton are the only members of the family now living. When he was thirteen years of age his widowed mother settled in Preble County, Ohio. In 1832 he came to Richmond and learned the trade of a coach and carriage maker with Benjamin Fulghum, who had his shop where the Huntington Hotel now stands. After completing his trade he worked for Fulghum & Sayler. In 1836 he commenced business for himself where the Vaughan Block now stands. In 1838 he removed to the north part of the lot No. 80, North Seventh street, and in 1857 bought a lot and built the building now owned by Philip Schneider, in connection with property fronting on Main street, and continued the carriage business until 1860, when he opened a grocery at 603 Main street, and for many years was the leading grocer of the city. In 1875 he retired from active business life. He served as a member of the School Board several years. Mr. Hunt is a member of the Society of Friends, as was also his wife. He has served the society as Treasurer of the Indiana Yearly Meetings for about thirteen years, Overseer in the church for some twenty years and many other positions of trust. Mr. Hunt was married Nov. 29, 1837, to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary Starr. She was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 6, 1814, and died in Wayne County, July 29, 1881. They had a family of seven children — John S., of Minneapolis; Joseph B., of Idaho; Mary S., deceased; Clayton B., of Richmond; Esther H., wife of Elwood Morris; Joshua and Benjamin (twins), of Richmond.
Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2