Charles A. Hunt

Charles A. Hunt (April 17, 1829 – August 24, 1899) was an American miller, Republican politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was a key figure in the attempted removal of the Winnebago people from Wisconsin in the 1870s, and was a founder of Clinton and Melvina, Wisconsin. He was also a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Monroe County during the 1868 and 1870 sessions, and served as a Union Army officer during the American Civil War.

Early years and settlement in Wisconsin Charles A. Hunt was born April 17, 1829, in Gerry, New York. He was raised and educated there and moved west to the Wisconsin Territory in 1845. He initially settled in Grant County, and worked in a mill, but after hearing of the California Gold Rush, he went west to seek his fortune. He returned to Grant County a year later and returned to his mill, where he worked until 1855.

That year, he moved north to Vernon County, Wisconsin, then known as "Bad Ax" County. He settled in what would become the community of Bloomingdale, in what was then part of the town of Christiana. He was the first blacksmith in the settlement, and later that year purchased half ownership of a partially constructed mill, in partnership with Evan Oleson. He completed construction the mill in 1856, making it the first operating mill in the settlement.

The 25th Wisconsin Infantry mustered into federal service in September 1862. Rather than being sent to the south to fight the Confederacy, they were first sent west to Minnesota to respond to the Sioux uprising. The regiment was assigned to the Department of Dakota and split up among several communities of southern Minnesota to provide security. Hunt and his company were assigned to Winnebago, Minnesota. They remained in Minnesota through the Fall before returning to Wisconsin in December. Melvina was on the mail route between Sparta and Viroqua, and Hunt served as postmaster at Melvina from the time of its establishment until his death in 1899.

At the recommendation of congressman Jeremiah McLain Rusk—who had been Hunt's commanding officer in the 25th Wisconsin Infantry during the war—Hunt was appointed superintendent to organize the removal of the Winnebago. Through negotiation and payment, Hunt was able to compel some Winnebago to leave to the intended reservation, but many continued to oppose the removal plan and engaged in a series of discussions and legal maneuvers to delay and frustrate the process. Over the Winter and Spring, the soldiers assisted in a campaign in western Wisconsin to arrest and deport stragglers. During the campaign, a Winnebago man attempted to shoot him, but Hunt escaped unharmed.

Hunt continued the removal operation until the remaining federal funds were spent, ending in the Summer of 1874. The Winnebago began to return almost immediately.

Personal life and family Charles Hunt married three times. His first wife was Amanda Melvina Ray, who became the namesake of Melvina, Wisconsin, after her death in 1866. Their marriage produced six children, though two died in childhood, and two others died early in adulthood.

Electoral history Wisconsin Assembly (1869)