An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL. 1893

ALBERT B. HUNT, chief of the Fire Department of Seattle, was born near Grand
Rapids, Michigan, April 12, 1861, son of James and Phoebe (Palmer) Hunt. They
subsequently removed to Petrolia, Canada, where Mr. Hunt engaged in the
distilling of oil from crude petroleum. Albert B. remained with his parents up
to his fourteenth year, and received a commonschool education. He then started
out for self-support, - first as clerk in a grocery store in Petrolia, where he
remained three years, then started for Midland county, Michigan, to find
occupation in a lumber camp; but one season satisfied his desires in that
direction. He then engaged in farming until 1882, when he returned to the oil
fields of Petrolia, and then found occupation at a receiving station, ultimately
having charge of the station and becoming an expert on crude petroleum. He
followed this occupation up to 1887, when he started for the Northwest territory
and located at Seattle. Here his labors began in running a stationary engine,
and were continued up to October, 1889, when Fire Company No. 1 was organized.
Being one of the original members, and having had experience in volunteer fire
companies in Petrolia, he was elected Captain of the company, which embraced
eight men, with an engine and hose wagon. This organization following so closely
the great fire, they were temporarily stationed in a large tent on the corner of
Third and University streets, where headquarters of the department were
established until the completion of their fine building on the corner of Seventh
and Columbia streets, to which they removed November 1, 1890. Mr. Hunt continued
as Captain of the company up to November 1, 1892, when he was appointed Chief of
the Fire Department by the Fire Commissioner, and confirmed by the City Council.
The department is now composed of five engine companies, one fire boat, capable
of throwing fourteen streams, with a capacity of 8,000 gallons per minute, two
truck companies in service and one in reserve, three chemical companies and two
hose companies. The force consists of chief, one assistant chief, one
superintendent of fire alarm, one supply driver, and seven paid uniformed men.
There are sixty fire-alarm boxes in service, with thirty-six miles of fire-alarm
wire, divided into three circuits. The engine houses are all lighted by electric
lights and heated by steam. The headquarters building cost $425,000, and is the
most complete house in the Northwest. It is occupied by one engine company, one
truck company, and one chemical company, with accommodations for the chief's
buggy. Taken all in all, the department in skill and efficiency has no superior
upon the Pacific coast. Mr. Hunt was married in Petrolia, in 1882, to Miss Sarah
McFarlane, a native of Canada. They have two children: Doran and John. Socially
Mr. Hunt affiliates with the I.O.O.F. and K. of P.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in January 2004 by Jeffrey L. Elmer

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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.