Alfred Hunt (steel magnate)
Alfred Hunt was the first president of Bethlehem Iron Company, precursor of Bethlehem Steel Corporation.
Personal life
Alfred Hunt was born of Quaker parentage, at Brownsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, the eldest child of Caleb Hunt and his wife Rhoda Matthews, widow of Joseph L. Bartlett. Alfred Hunt is a grandson of Joshua and Esther Hunt, who had removed with their young family from Moorestown Township, New Jersey and settled near Brownsville in 1790.Shortly after his father's death, Hunt and his six youngest siblings were brought by family members to Moorestown. Here they lived with Elisha Hunt, their father's brother, and his wife Mary Hussey Hunt on their farm.
Alfred Hunt died at Moorestown and is interred in the family plot at Colestown Cemetery, Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey.
Professional life
His career in the iron and steel industry began in 1849 when the firm of Rowland and Hunt was formed for the purpose of operating The Cheltenham Rolling Mill, Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania.In 1850, Alfred Hunt and John C. Fremont formed a business relationship to mine gold on Fremont's property in California.
Alfred Hunt was elected president on July 15, 1860, by the board of directors of the fledgling Bethlehem Iron Company. He remained president until his death.
| “Mr. Hunt was very much of a gentleman and knew how to meet any person from a king to a beggar.” |
| ''John Fritz |