Introduction
DR. WILLIS H. HUNT was born in Rhode Island on April 19, 1855. His older brother, Dr. Henry F. Hunt, settled in Camden around 1864, and was a successful, well known, and much respected practitioner, whose home and office was at 511 Cooper Street.
He began the study of medicine in Providence under Dr. Elmer Eddy. Entering Harvard in 1874, he graduated in June of 1877. In the fall of 1877 he came to Philadelphia and entered Hahnemann College. Prowell’s History of Camden County, New Jersey states that Dr. Hunt withdrew after one year due to ill-health.
Dr. Willis H. Hunt came to Camden and commenced the practice of medicine locally in 1878. By 1887 he had established residence and practice at 315 Market Street. He was a Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Improved Order of Red Men.
In 1888 Dr. Hunt married Frances K. Giles. She passed away in December of 1895. A few years later he again married. His second wife was the former Mary Fidell. A daughter, Ruth, was born in November of 1899. Sadly, Dr. Willis Hunt passed away in 1900, and was buried at Harleigh Cemetery in Camden, next to his first wife, Frances. Besides his wife and daughter, Willis Hunt was survived by two sons born to his first wife, Willis and Eugene.
Mary Fidell Hunt subsequently moved to 424 North 6th Street in Camden, where she resided with her widowed mother Lydia and brother Charles when the Census was taken. A few years later she was in New York, where she met and married Dr. Frederick Cook, the then-famous Arctic explorer, whose claim to have been the first to reach the North Pole were discounted during his lifetime, but have gained considerable support in more recent times.
The Felton Explosion
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Inquest in the Case of Adrian Spear, of Camden, N.J.
Coroner Beals held an inquest yesterday on the body of Adrian Spear, of North Church street, who died from the effects of the explosion at Samuel M. Pelton’s on Monday last. County Physician Gross, who conducted the post mortem examination, testified that death was caused by inflammation of the bronchi. He found a slight bruise on the back. All the organs were greatly inflamed. He had been ill with pneumonia for some time, probably having been two weeks convalescent. The explosion took place on Sunday, and reproduced inflammation which resulted in his death.
Dr. Willis Hunt, who attended the deceased during his illness of typhoid fever when the explosion occurred, testified that after his father’s removal to his home he told the family he had been struck in the abdomen by a piece of timber when the explosion occurred.
Mr. Marcus A. Brewster, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, of Camden, testified as being on the scene at the time. The jury rendered a verdict that Adrian Spear met his death on Friday, August 21, 1885, from accidental inflammation induced upon him by injuries received at the Felton explosion.
The deceased had an accident policy in the Hartford Accident Company for $500, which expired two hours after the accident. The widow will receive this sum.
Politics in Jersey.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
POLITICS IN JERSEY.
The Bolting Sheriff’s Convention Meets at Merchantville—Party Matters Mixed.
The second convention, or what will hereafter be known as “Daubmann’s Bolters’ Sheriff Convention,” was held at Merchantville yesterday. The famous twenty-five delegates, who stood for the ex-Sheriff for seventy consecutive ballots on last Thursday, at the regular convention, were present, so were delegates from the Third and Fifth wards and Waterford. The latter were the seven men who were defeated in a contest at the regular convention. Charles H. Fowler, of Gloucester City, and Charles P. Fackler, of the Fourth ward, Camden, were made permanent chairman and secretary respectively. The whole thirty two delegates voted for Mr. Daubmann, and he was, therefore, declared the nominee of the convention.
Camden Branches Aroused
Philadelphia Inquirer —
No. 21 Denounces the Supreme Officers and Asks for Criminal Action.
Iron Hall Branch, No. 21, of Camden, is up in arms against the supreme officers of the order. At a meeting last night a resolution was offered and passed condemning the mismanagement by the supreme officers, and asking that they be held for criminal action.
In Camden and Cramer Hill there are members running up into the hundreds. Dr. Willis H. Hunt, who for years has been connected with local Branch No. 21, said yesterday that he had lost all hopes for the future of the order.
Local Branch No. 283 has between $1,000 and $1,500 in the reserve fund, part in money and part in first mortgages. Judicial action has been retained by several members of Iron Hall to prosecute their claims against the order.
Death Notice
Philadelphia Inquirer —
HUNT.—On December 20, 1895, Frances K., wife of Dr. Willis H. Hunt. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral services on Sunday afternoon, December 22, at 2 o’clock, at her husband’s residence, Market street, Camden, N.J. Interment private at Harleigh Cemetery.
Biographical Review
1897
WILLIS H. HUNT, M.D., a homeopathic physician of high standing in Camden, N.J., was born in Providence, R.I., April 19, 1855, son of Benjamin and Waity (Randall) Hunt. The family is of English origin, its present representatives being the descendants of early settlers in Rhode Island. Dr. Hunt’s great-grandfather removed to Providence from Pawtucket, taking his household effects down the river upon a raft. He was a man of considerable ability and great physical strength, standing six feet and two inches high, and weighing four hundred pounds. His son, Benjamin Hunt, the Doctor’s grandfather, was born in the vicinity of Providence. He became an overseer in the cotton-mills at Cranston, and was thus employed until his retirement. He died at the age of eighty-seven years, having been the father of thirteen children.
Benjamin Hunt, Jr., Dr. Hunt’s father, was born in Cranston, R.I., and when quite young he began work in the mills. He later removed to Providence, where he followed the business of a cotton broker for several years, and, retiring from that, he was engaged in other enterprises until his death, which took place at the age of sixty-six. Being a man of superior business ability and one who possessed special qualifications for the public service, he figured conspicuously as a member of the city government of Providence for sixteen years, or until he declined to serve longer; and, though earnestly solicited by his fellow-citizens to accept nomination for other offices, he firmly refused. His wife, Waity Randall, who was born in Scituate, R.I., died at the age of seventy-three years. She was the mother of three children, two of whom are living, namely: Willis H., the subject of this sketch; and Eugenia. Both parents were members of the Congregational church.
Willis H. Hunt began his education in the public schools of Providence, and completed the regular course at the English and Classical High School. He then entered Brown University, where he pursued a full course of medical instruction, and, after graduating with the class of 1877, he commenced the practice of his profession in his native city. In October of that year he removed to Camden, and, entering the Hahnemann College in Philadelphia, continued his studies for another year, after which he decided to locate permanently. He has practised as a homeopathic physician for the past nineteen years with excellent success.
The Doctor is far advanced in Masonry, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery of Camden, and of Lulu Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Philadelphia, and a thirty-second degree Mason, Scottish Rite. He is likewise connected with the Improved Order of Red Men of this city, and was formerly a member of the Knights of Pythias.
In 1888 Dr. Hunt was united in marriage with Frances K. Giles, who was a native of England. She died in December, 1895, aged thirty-eight years.
Dr. Hunt attends the Baptist church. In politics he is independent. The prominent position he occupies in the community is not simply the result of his professional ability, his social qualifications being such as to make him a welcome addition to the ultra-select circles of any locality. Dr. Hunt is located at 315 Market Street.
Hunt Elected Vice-President of Camden County Homeopathic Medical Society
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Board Backed Down
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Freeholders Eager to Drop Turnpike Purchase Scheme.
COURT ORDERS SERVED.
Charges That Members of the Board Had Acted Illegally and Were Interested in the Deal.
Members of the Camden County Board of Freeholders almost fell over each other yesterday in their haste to rescind their ill-advised action at a previous meeting in voting to purchase two unprofitable turnpikes at about double their value. The change of front was brought about by legal procedure instituted by counsel for Dr. Willis H. Hunt, a taxpayer, who secured from Justice Garrison writs of certiorari to carry the turnpike deal to the Supreme Court for review. He secured restraining orders pending argument on the certiorari proceedings, and the suits against Hunt will be dropped, now that the freeholders have had their change of heart.
Lawyer Archer had the restraining orders in his pocket when the board met yesterday, and the freeholders took an opportunity to square themselves. They quickly dropped all proceedings.
The board first knocked out the Ellsburg turnpike purchase. Then Lawyer Archer offered to withdraw his suit in return. The board then rescinded their action on buying the Camden and Westfield turnpike, and the other restraining order was also withdrawn.
It is estimated that the two roads, together with necessary repairs, would have cost the county nearly $100,000.
Camden Freeholders in Court
Trenton Times —
Dr. Willis H. Hunt Dead
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Death Notice
Philadelphia Inquirer —
HUNT.—On April 11, 1900, Dr. Willis H. Hunt, in his 45th year. Funeral on Saturday next, April 14, at 2 o’clock, from 315 Market street, Camden, N.J.
Funeral of Dr. Willis H. Hunt
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Over in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
OVER IN CAMDEN.
The Vulcanite Paving Company resumed the repaving of Broadway yesterday with sheet asphalt.
Open cars were put on the Broadway line of the Camden and Suburban Railway Company yesterday.
In deference to the memory of Chancellor McGill there was no session of Chancery Court in Camden yesterday.
City workmen started yesterday to place the grounds around the Kaighn Hill stand pipe in shape for a public park.
Thomas Venturo was held in $300 bail yesterday by Recorder Mowrey charged with stealing $150 from his father.
Robert Jones was committed in default of bail by Recorder Mowry on charge of stealing harness from Peter McCarty.
George Hildebrandt was committed in default of bail by a police justice on charge of assaulting his brother with a chair.
The will of Dr. Willis H. Hunt was admitted to probate. The estate is declared to be valued at $40,000 and his wife is made executrix.
Councilman George Pfeiffer, Jr., yesterday announced that the city had received two of $35,000 worth of street improvement bonds.
The glaziers of the National Colored Morocco Works, at Third and Penn streets, are on strike. Their places are being rapidly filled.
Information has reached friends in Camden of the death of Martin Coyne in Ireland on March 28. Mr. Coyne was a former Market street merchant.
H. Berger, who was sued for $5,000 damages by Mary R. Vaterich for breach of promise, entered $1,000 bail before Sheriff Bell yesterday.
The Itinerants of the Camden Republican Club have formed a permanent organization. An annual trip will be made to Boston on October 12.
Captain Elie Lee, of Gatling Battery B, received a communication from the adjutant general yesterday that in the future the command will be known as Battery Field Artillery B.
At a session of the Baptist churches in the Camden Association, held in Liberty Street Baptist Church, Rev. Whittemore was chosen as moderator. Dr. Frank F. Whittemore was admitted to the association as a fully accredited and licensed full fledged church.
Mrs. Louis von Reichle, aged 40 years, of 645 Liberty street, while stepping off a car of the Camden and Suburban Railway yesterday, fell and cut a gash in her leg. She was taken to Cooper Hospital.
The Park Committee of City Councils yesterday received an offer to buy the Jesse Starr Mansion and grounds for $600 a year, for park purposes, with the privilege of purchasing the property for $16,500. Action was deferred.
315 Market Street
315 Market Street — where Dr. Hunt lived and practiced medicine in the 1880s and 1890s. Photographed March 16, 2003.
Grave Marker, Harleigh Cemetery
Dr. Willis H. Hunt’s grave marker, Harleigh Cemetery, Camden
What Women Are Doing
San Jose Mercury-News —
Mrs. Frederick A. Cook’s Faith in Her Husband—Chinese “Hello” Girls in California—Women Engineers in Russia.
MRS. FREDERICK A. COOK, wife of the first returned explorer of the north pole, always believed that “Fred” would succeed. A woman of action, she attended to raise funds to help him.
Cook was born in Camden, N.J. Her first husband was Dr. Willis H. Hunt of Camden. Her marriage to Dr. Cook came when she called him to attend her daughter. In 1901, Dr. Cook presented his bride to his associates of the Arctic Club at a dinner given in one of the meeting hotels of New York City. During the recent controversy as to the first discoverer of the north pole, Mrs. Cook remained steadfast by his side in New York.
Dr. Cook and Step-Daughter
Fort Worth Star-Telegram —
