Simeon Hunt, late register of deeds and abstracter of titles at Grand Rapids, Mich., was born in Vermont, July 7, 1821, a son of Ormond and Adelia (Noyes) Hunt, who were pioneers of Michigan, having come to the state in 1836, and for two years having resided in Kalamazoo. The father was a farmer, and leaving Kalamazoo bought land in Lowell township, Kent county, and in the adjoining county of Ionia, and aided in clearing up the country and in pioneer farming the remainder of his life.

Simeon Hunt was reared on his parents farm, but his opportunities for a school education were somewhat limited at that early day yet he was able to attend, for a short time, a common school across the line in Ionia county, and being a close observer and a diligent reader, he qualified himself for teaching, and in the fall of 1844 taught school one term at Grand Rapids. He then returned to the farm, which he assisted in cultivating the ten years following and then went to Lowell, where he engaged in general merchandizing until 1872, when he was elected register of deeds and removed to Grand Rapids. He was re-elected to the office at the close of his first term, and while filling this position formulated a set of abstract books, and later engaged in the abstract and insurance business, under the firm name of Hunt & Davis. This was for a time the only set of abstract books in the county and was the source of a considerable income. At the death of Mr. Hunt, which took place December 4, 1889, the abstract branch of the business was disposed of to one of the clerks, and the insurance branch to another.

Mr. Hunt was married in Michigan to Miss Ruby Train, a daughter of Sylvester and Lucinda (Willard) Train, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Vermont, but who came as pioneers to Michigan in 1840. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hunt was graced with three children, viz: Agnes; John F., and Louis E. was in business with his father, but died November 3, 1889, leaving a widow and one child—Anna Isacel—who now make their home with Mrs. Ruby Hunt, at her pleasant dwelling on Paris avenue.

In politics Simeon Hunt was a life long republican, and as a rule was active in every campaign in his support of his party. He was a member of the board of supervisors when he came from Lowell to Grand Rapids in 1872, but though active in local politics in this city never sought further public office. He was patriotic, genial and strictly honorable, and passed away respected by all who knew him. His widow, a most estimable lady, is now passing her declining years in the house purchased by her deceased husband in the spring of 1874 on Paris avenue, and is greatly honored by the entire community of Grand Rapids, with whom she has passed a quarter of a century.