My Genealogy Hound

MAJ. THOMAS J. DE LA HUNT (deceased) was one of the best known of Cannelton’s citizens. He was of French descent and was born November 15, 1835, at Rathcool, Tipperary County, Ireland. At the age of ten years he came to America with his parents, and resided for a few years in Quebec and Toronto, Canada. From there, he moved to New York, and in 1859 graduated with honor at Genesee College. In elocution he received the highest prize of the college. The same year he came to Cannelton, and was for a time engaged in what was known as Franklin Institute. In 1860 he travelled through the South in the interest of the school book publishing house of Morton & Griswold, Louisville, Ky. In 1861 he joined Company F of the Twenty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and was commissioned its second lieutenant. He was soon made adjutant of the regiment, and while serving at such was severely wounded at the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., in December 7, 1862. He partially recovered and was ordered to Indianapolis as inspector of recruits, and later became post commander at Evansville for about one year, and until he went upon the staff of Gen. A. P. Hovey. He was again wounded at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. His wounds and exposure so impaired his health as to compel his resignation in May, 1864. In October, 1865 he was elected county auditor and served for four years. In January, 1866, he was married to Miss Isabelle Huckaby, of Cannelton, by whom he was the father of one son named Thomas J. By Gov. Baker he was placed on the committee to investigate the Indiana Sinking Fund at New York. Soon after his return from the army he purchased the Cannelton Reporter, and continued to edit it until his death, which occurred March 26, 1872.