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.
[1] 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.
[2] 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.
[2] He served in this capacity for a year, but then chose to enter the service himself and was enrolled as first lieutenant of Company K in the 25th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
He erected a mill and gathered other families to a settlement within his land, which he named "Melvina" in honor of his recently deceased wife.
[5] Hunt was a staunch Republican and was elected to two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing all of Monroe County during the 1868 and 1870 sessions.
[6][7] 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.
In December, Hunt led a company of the 20th U.S. Infantry Regiment upon a festival of Winnebago resisters which had gathered near Portage, Wisconsin.
[7] Hunt mostly retired after the Winnebago affair, though he remained active with veterans organizations, such as the Grand Army of the Republic.