The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-05-26

commenced learning the printers
trade. Two years later he took the
foremanship of small Office at
EarlYille, Iowa, and ever afterwards,
until entering business for himself
at Lanesboro, Minnesota in Novem-
Der 1850, he had mechanical charge
of several printing offices in Iowa
and Illinois, Mr.. Hunt was thor
oughly competent in all branches of
mechanical end of the business and
editorial work. His success as a
newspaper man was largely due to
his thorough knowledge of every
detail of the work.
Came to Mankato In 1881.
In April, 1881, Mr.. Hunt pur-
chased George Chamberlain's inter
est in The Free Press and a. year
later bought the interests of W. w.
Woodland, thereby becoming sole
proprietor of this We'll known, and
influential journal. In 1883 he was
commissioned postmaster of Man
ing o. Brown. and retired on May
1885 during Grover Cleveland's ad-
ministration.
In April, 1887, Mr.. Hunt organized
the Free Press Printing company
and started The Daily Free Press,
with himself as editor and general
manager. This institution has en-
joyed a constant growth, and the pa
per enjoys the distinction of being
the leading daily publication of
I Southern Minnesota.
He was president of the State
Editorial association during the year
| 1889. In 1890 he was appointed an
alternate national committeeman
from Minnesota to the Worlds
Columbian exposition at Chicago
and later was made executive Off
Ger of that organization.
Mr.. Hunt was a delegate at-large
to the republican national conven-
ton at st. Louis that nominated
William Mckinley, president of the
United States, and had represented
the state and county in congress
sional conventions. He was ap-
pointed postmaster of Mankato in
1897 by President Mckinley, and on
his own volition retired from office
in 1904.
In the upbuilding of Mankato, Mr.
Hunt ,alw avs played an important
part. His enterprise led him to erect
one of the finest office buildings In
the northwest.
Went Into Canning Business.
In March 1902, Mr.. Hunt disposed
of his interest in The Free Press
company to his brother, F. w. Hunt
M. d. Fritz. and J. W. True. He
later engaged in the canning bust
ness in Alaska Several gentlemen
in this city joined with Mr.. Hunt
in. the organization of a salmon
canning company that operated
plant in Alaska This continued fol
several years with Mr.. Hunt as
general manager The company later
disposed of its property and Nj
Hunt made his home in Seattle He
was an occasional visitor in Man
kato His last visit to his brother
Frank Hunt, was about q year ago
MT. Hunt was a member of thu
Mankato Lodge OF Elks and the
knights of Pythias. Also the ODD
Fellows and Royal Arcanum. Ht
served as grand chancellor com
mander of the Knights Of Pythias
and a supreme representative for 6
term.
Among newspaper men Mr.. Hun
occupied a high place. he was
forceful writer on all topics. He
was progressive and enterprising
and he did much to promote the In
terests of Mankato. When resi-
dent of this city, he resided OF
South Second street in the house
now occupied by George Atchison.
In 1874 Mr.. Hunt was united II
marriage to Miss Lisbeth Putnam
a native of New Hampshire. WHIT
died about two years ago at Seattle
Mr. Hunt is survived by ONT
brother and one sister, Frank w
Hunt of Mankato and Mrs. Sivills
Wilcox Of New York city.