Augustus P. Hunton

Political career Originally a Whig, he became a Republican when the party was organized in the mid-1850s. Hunton represented Bethel in the Vermont House of Representatives In 1849, 1854, and 1859 to 1862. From 1860 to 1862 Hunton served as Speaker.

From 1856 to 1857 Hunton represented Windsor County in the Vermont Senate, and in 1857 he served as the Senate's President pro tem.

During the Civil War Hunton was superintendent of Union Army recruiting for Windsor County. In 1864 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention which nominated Abraham Lincoln.

Other activities Hunton was a trustee of Norwich University from 1862 to 1867. He was the recipient of honorary master's degrees from the University of Vermont in 1847 and Dartmouth College in 1859.

Death and burial Hunton died in Bethel on June 20, 1911. He was buried in Bethel's Cherry Hill Cemetery, of which he was an original incorporator. Hunton was married to Caroline Paige of Bethel, and had two children, Mary and Albert.