MELVIN E. HUNT.

No more capable officer has ever filled the position of sheriff in Woodson County than Melvin Ellison Hunt who for two terms acted in that capacity, discharging his duties without fear or favor. He is now extensively engaged in dealing in stock and is accounted one of the enterprising and prosperous business men of Yates Center.

A native of the neighboring state of Missouri. Mr. Hunt was born in Schuyler County, on the 2d. of April, 1852, a son of Jesse Hunt, one of the pioneers of that locality, who was descended from a prominent family of Virginia. One of his brothers went to Idaho at a very early day and there reared his family including a son who is now governor of that state. Jesse Hunt was born in Louisville, Kentucky, about 1816, and in 1842 removed to Schuyler County, Missouri, where he spent his remaining days, following the dual pursuit of farming and stock raising. He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, however, for his death occurred in 1854. In Tennessee he was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Hale, who died in Schuyler County, Missouri, in 1886. Her father, William Hale, was one of the most extensive slaveholders of eastern Tennessee. He was a native of Virginia and had several sons and daughters, the most of whom spent their lives in Tennessee and Kentucky. Unto Jesse and Martha (Hale) Hunt were born the following children: James, who died in Jasper County, Missouri; Elizabeth, deceased wife of Wesley Redifer, her death occurring in Dallas County, Missouri; Hulet, who died in Schuyler County, Missouri; Martha, the wife of William McVey, of that county; Minerva, wife of J. B. Mud, of the same county; Jesse, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church located in ————Missouri; Melvin E., of this sketch, and George, who is living in Woodson County.

Melvin E. Hunt was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads. His educational privileges were limited and experience has been his most efficient teacher, her lessons proving of value to him in the practical affairs of life. At the age of seventeen years he started out to make his own way in the world, working on ranches and farms, first in Missouri and later in Clay County. Texas. Returning to the former state he then engaged in farming and stock-raising on his own account, and in 1884 he came to Woodson County, arriving in the month of March. He first located in Liberty township, where he engaged in the raising of stock and grain, following those pursuits until elected to the office of county sheriff, when he removed to Yates Center. In 1895 he defeated the Republican candidate for that office by three hundred and seventy-five votes, and in 1897 he was again elected by an increased majority, a fact which clearly indicates that his duties had been discharged most acceptably, promptly and faithfully. His record on retiring from office was as spotless as when he entered it and four years of creditable service were added to his life's history. On the 1st. of January, 1900, he retired from office and resumed his former business of dealing in stock, of which he is such an excellent judge that his labors have been crowned with a very gratifying degree of success.

Mr. Hunt was married in Schuyler County, Missouri, March 8, 1872, to Cordelia V. Huff, a daughter of George Huff, who throughout the greater part of his active business career resided in the vicinity of Rock Island, Illinois. After his death his widow married Charles Shaw. By her first marriage she had two children—Mrs. Hunt and George, the latter a resident of Pratt County, Kansas. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have been born three children: Willard E., who married Blanche Hyde and is now with the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company; Charles, of Yates Center, and Marvin, who is still with his parents.

In his social relations Mr. Hunt is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias and an Odd Fellow and in the last named organization has taken all the degrees. He has been a staunch Democrat in politics since casting his first presidential vote for Samuel J. Tilden and has always taken a deep and abiding interest in the success of his party and in the promotion of public interests intended for the general good.

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