Merton L. Hunt
Norwich Percolate, January 15, 1935
Mr. Hunt joined the [Norwich Pharmacal] Company January 1st, 1887 and in 1891 went to New York to open the first sales branch at 140 William Street. During 1895 the second office was opened at Boston under the direction of J.W. Hunt, who had ben employed by the company since 1889. In 1897 the Boston office was consolidated with New York. In 1898, Mr. Hunt left New York and came back to Norwich to assist Mr. Norris who was in poor health. Mr. Norris soon after moved to California and Mr. Hunt took his place as Secretary-Treasurer, which position he held until 1901.
Mr. Hunt left the company July, 1901 to go with the Booth Perfume Company and in 1908 became associated with Mr. William H. Dunne to start the W.H. Dunne Wholesale Grocery Company in Norwich, N.Y.
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Marriage
Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, June 8, 1895
HUNT - SHEPARD: At the home of the bride's uncle Calvin G. Lee, in this village, Tuesday evening, June 4, 1895, by Rev. W. H. Scudder, Mr. Merton L. Hunt, of Brooklyn, and Miss Lois N. Shepard, of Norwich.
One of the prettiest weddings of the season was that of Merton L. Hunt to Miss Lois Shepard, which occurred Tuesday evening, the 4th, at the residence of Calvin G. Lee, an uncle of the bride, on locust street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY]. The Rev. W.H. Scudder officiated, the ceremony taking place at 8 o'clock. The house was suitably and prettily decorated and trimmed for the occasion. About thirty invited guests were present. The ceremony was solemnized under an arch in an alcove in the parlor. Miss Hattie Shepard acted as bridesmaid while J.W. Hunt, a brother of the groom, acted as best man. the bride was attired in a brown traveling dress which fitted her to perfection and the groom wore a handsome suit of dark cloth. A wedding supper was served after which Mr. and Mrs. hunt left on the 10:16 D.L.&W. train for Brooklyn, their future home. There were countless handsome and expensive present, among which was an elegant silver water pitcher from the Norwich Pharmacal company.
KEPPEL - SHEPARD: In Clyde, N.Y. June 5, 1895, by Rev. David Keppel, Mr. Robert J. Keppel and Miss Harriet G. Shepard, of Norwich.
It was quite in the order of things, that the marriage of Miss Harriet Shepard, the sister of the Miss Lois Shepard mentioned above to Robert J. Keppel should take place the next day, Wednesday. The affair however was quite modest and unassuming as the parties desired to avoid the formalities of a public wedding, and it took place at Clyde, New York, the Rev. David Keppel, a cousin of the groom, officiating. Miss Nellie E. Keppel, of Syracuse, a sister of the groom accompanied the party. The groom is a brother of Richard J. Keppel, of the Norwich Desk factory, and is connected with that industry as a traveling salesman. The happy pair are now sojourning in the Adirondacks and will return after several weeks.
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Obituary
Norwich Sun, April 26, 1950
Merton L. Hunt, 81, industrial leader and banker of 42 Hayes died at 6:15 Wednesday morning in Chenango Memorial Hospital here following an extended period of failing health and a critical period of four days. Born in Smyrna, March 1, 1869, he was the son of George and Mary (Dixon) Hunt. this city had been his residence for the past 64 years.
Mr. Hunt was widely known in business, banking and industrial circles of this city. He was one of the founders and a director of the W.H. Dunne Company. A benefactor of all things that would lead to a better Norwich, during his active years Mr. Hunt gave enthusiastic support, moral and financial, to countless projects for continued progress in his home community. He was a prominent figure in the business life of Norwich and Chenango county.
Educated in the schools of Smyrna and Norwich, Mr. Hunt launched his successful career as a clerk in a Smyrna store. At the age of 17 he came to Norwich. He was associated with The Norwich Pharmacal Company when that company was in its infancy, serving as a sales manager, as the New York representative and as secretary-treasurer of that industry. He was later associated with the C.F. Booth Company of this city, manufacturers of perfumes.
In 1908, with the late William H. Dunne, he became organizer of the W.H. Dunne Company, wholesale grocers and founders of the Victory Chain.
Mr. Hunt was a member of the First Congregational church and was affiliated with all of the Masonic orders, including Norwich lodge 202 F. and A.M.; Norwich Commandery, 46, K.T.; Harmony chapter, 151, R.A.M.; Ziyara Shrine of Utica and Norwich lodge, 1222, B.P.O.E.
He was a past president of the Norwich City Club which he had served as president and as a governor. He was a charter member of the old Canasawacta Country Club organization. His leadership and enthusiasm contributed to the success of all of these groups.
Mr. Hunt was a vice president and director of the Chenango County National Bank and Trust Company of Norwich; also vice president and a director of the Norwich Hotel Company which operates The Chenango Hotel in this city. He was also a director of the Chenango Cooperative Savings and Loan Association.
Besides his wife, Lois Sheperd Hunt, he is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Henry S. Dolan, and one sister, Mrs. Maude H. Stager, all of Norwich. One son, Harry S. Hunt, died May 6, 1949. Surviving also are four grandchildren, Richard M. Dolan, Mrs. Bruce Dean Jr., Robert H. Hunt and Miss Julia Hunt, also several nieces and nephews.
The body of Mr. Hunt rests at his late home where friends may call at any time. Services will be held Saturday at 2 o'clock from the First Congregational church, Rev. Lawrence Durgin, pastor, officiating. Burial will be made in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, NY]. Honorary bearers for the memorial rites will include close business associates and friends. Among them will be Frank Zuber, Cyrus M. Higley, Judge David F. Lee, William Evans, Hon. James P. Hill, Stuart C. Nelson, Charles A. Smith Sr., Walter E. Burr, William P. McNulty, Arthur J. Bramer, Garrett Brown and William A. Seely.
Tribute
Norwich Sun, April 27, 1950
In a tribute to one of their founders and directors, all Norwich Victory Chain stores will be closed Saturday afternoon from 1:30 to 2 o'clock. The death of Merton L. Hunt Wednesday is a genuine loss to employees of the W.H. Dunne Company and Victory Chain, officers of the company said. Services of Mr. Hunt are to be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the First Congregational church. The W.H. Dune Company was organized in this city by the late William H. Dunne and the Late Mr. Hunt.
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Wife's Obituary
Norwich Sun, March 15, 1961
Lois Newton Shepard Hunt, 89, of 42 Hayes Street, died early this morning at Clifton Springs Sanitarium, Clifton Springs. The daughter of George M. Shepard and Harriet Graves Shepard, she was born August 1, 1871 in Aurora, Illinois. She moved to Norwich in her early childhood. She attended grade school and graduated from high school in 1891, and completed her formal education at Cooper Institute in New York City. On June 4, 1895 she was married to Merton L. Hunt who died on April 26, 1950. there were two children from this marriage. Harry Shepard Hunt, who died May 6, 1949, and a daughter, Mary Hunt Dolan, who survives. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Richard M. Dolan of Uniontown, Pa., Mrs. Margery Fuller of St. Petersburg, Fla., Robert H. Hunt of Norwich and Mrs. Julia L. Bedahl of St. Paul, Minn. There are six great grandchildren surviving. For 75 years Mrs. Hunt was an active member of the First Congregational Church and affiliated with the Kings Daughters. She was a member of the captain John Harris Chapter DAR and the Auxiliary to the Chenango Memorial Hospital. She was a charter member of Chapter 367, Order of Eastern Star, and served as matron of this chapter and as district deputy grand matron of the Broome-Chenango District. She was a charter member of Joppa White Shrine of Binghamton and a charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Lt. Warren Eaton Post no. 189. Mrs. Hunt's husband was president of the W.H. Dunne Co. for many years. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday morning at the residence, 42 Hayes Street. The Rev. Frank W. Gardner, pastor of the First Congregational Church, officiating. Burial will take place in the spring in the family plot in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
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