Last Taps Sounded
for William H. Hunt, Well Known Civil War Veteran
In the death of William H. Hunt, which
occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ora Strait, on Morningside
Park, Newton, last Saturday, the civil war veterans of the county
loses one of its most faithful and widely known comrades.
At the age of twenty years he enlisted
in the Civil War, serving from 1861 to 1865, when he was honorably
discharged.
Returning to Sussex county he entered
the service of the Lackawanna railroad, and for a number of years
was the efficient agent and telegraph operator at Branchville Junction.
On account of ill health he was retired
by the railroad company about ten years ago on a pension. His retirement
was followed by a paralytic stroke, that incapacitated him from his
usual activities in life.
The deceased was recognized as one of
the expert telegraph operators in the service of the Lackawanna Company.
Although for years very deaf, produced from the heavy firing in the
Civil War, he could operate and read the telegraph code as accurately
as though he possessed all his faculties, and had the credit of never
having an accident occur while serving as operator.
The deceased took great pride in his
service as an army man, and never failed to participate in the Memorial
day exercises of Captain Griggs Post in Newton.
He was known along the line as "Uncle
Billy" Hunt, and was highly esteemed by employers and employees alike.
He was ever a true and faithful friend when you once made his acquaintance.
He is survived by his Widow, two daughters, Mrs. Ora Strait and Mrs.
William Knox, of Newton, and one son, Samuel Hunt of Hoboken.
The funeral services were held on Tuesday.
Interment in the Andover cemetery.