Person:German Hunt (1)

HUNT, GERMAN HORTON, for more than half a century actively connected with many of the most important business interests of the city of Baltimore, was born on the 27th of December, 1828. He was the only child of Mr. Germyn Hunt and Eleanor Horton, daughter of Gen. Thomas Horton of the British Army. Mr. Hunt's father was a mechanical engineer who with his wife left Derby, England in 1820 to visit America, where after spending a few years they decided to remain.

In his early boyhood, German Horton Hunt was not strong; but while still a very young boy he showed a remarkable fondness for studying machinery, and was especially interested in everything that pertained to locomotives and steamboats. Recalling the years of his boyhood, he feels that the influence of his mother was exceptionally strong on both his intellectual and his moral and spiritual life. The Bible was the book in which the whole family took the deepest interest; but in addition to his early-formed habit of reading and studying that book, he acquired in boyhood a love for all kinds of "soUd reading," especially for history and biography, travel, and mechanics, as well as for poetry which he regards as no less useful in fitting men for the work of life.

He attended private schools in Baltimore, but did not take a course of advanced technical study or of professional study. At the age of sixteen, in 1844, he became apprentice in a machine shop in Baltimore. His personal preference led to this choice of an occupation for life; although it is probable that his father's profession, mechanical engineering, was not without a strong influence in shaping the taste and the choice of the son.

After thoroughly mastering the details of foundry work and of the machine shop in all its parts, Mr. Hunt at once went into business for himself with Mr. Robert Poole as partner.

From the management of his own important foundry and machine shop business, he was led by his associations and business interests with other men, to participate in the management of many other industrial, manufacturing and business companies in Baltimore. From 1850 until 1903 — the date of Mr. Hunt's voluntary retirement from active participation in business affairs, his name was to be found on the lists of those who have promoted the organization and assisted in the management of most of the public-spirited enterprises for the increasing prosperity and welfare of Baltimore.

By his political preferences, Mr. Hunt was a Democrat; but he never surrendered his own personal conviction to the dictates of party managers; and as he acted with the old Whig party until 1856, so in later years he held himself responsible to his own conscience rather than to the dictates of party, and has participated more than once in independent movements for the betterment of politics and the advancement of good government in Maryland.

Mr. Hunt was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and took an active interest in its work, its worship and its charities. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity. He was a trustee of the Maryland Institute for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts, and was the president for many years; he was also a member of the Merchants and Manufacturers Association of Maryland. He was for many years president of the board of trustees of the McDonogh School. He was a director in several of the important banks of the city. He was an active and useful member of the Board of Trade, and of many other business and trade organizations.

His favorite forms of amusement and exercise were always "the society of my friends, and driving good horses. " To young men who are entering upon life he offered this pointed suggestion: "Be strictly honest, pure in your morality, faithful to every trust imposed upon you, and always industrious."

Mr. Hunt died of paralysis at Chattolanee, Maryland, June 16, 1907, after a few hours illness.

The funeral of Mr. German Horton Hunt, who died at his summer home , at Chattolanee, on Sunday afternoon, will take place from his city residence, 1802 Eutaw Place, at 5 P.M. tomorrow. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery. Rev. J. St. Clair, pastor of Madison Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, and Rev. Robert Smith, rector of St. Thomas' Protestant Episcopal Church, Garrison Forest, in the Green Spring Valley, will conduct the services. ...

Mr. Hunt is survived by two children - Mrs. William H. Emory and Miss Laura Hunt, both of this city; six grandchildren - Mr. William H. Emory, Jr. , Mrs. S. Proctor Brady, of Sudbrook; Mr. German H. H. Emory, Mr. J. Brooks Emory, Miss Laura H. Emory and Miss Elise Emory, all of Baltimore - and one great grandchild, S. Proctor Brady, Jr.