Michael G. Kuntz, p. 223

MICHAEL G. KUNTZ, who, like his brother James W., is one of the oldest and most respected residents of Washington borough, first saw the light of day February 11, 1820, in an old log house which stood on a piece of land that has been in the possession of the family for a great many years.

His grandfather, Michael Kuntz, a laborer by occupation, came. unaccompanied, in 1788, from Lancaster county to Washington county, and bought land where now stands Brady's jewelry store, in Washington. Here he built a cabin, but on account of the Indians, his family did not come out until May, 1790. Michael Kuntz revisited Lancaster county but returned and died here in 1793 (he was a Freemason of high standing). His widow, who afterward married Joseph Price, survived him until about the Year 1835, when she was called from earth at the advanced age of ninety-three years. She was his second wife, and there is a record of two children by his first marriage, John and an older brother, who was a carpenter. To his second union four children were born, of whom we find the names of (George H., Jacob, Sophia (Mrs. George Byrker, formerly of Washington) and also another daughter a Mrs. Reddick, now passed away. They came over the mountains on pack horses, across which were thrown saddle-bags, made of homemade linen, and when the little boys were tired walking they were placed in the pockets of these saddle-bags.

George H. Knutz, born in Lancaster county Penn., January 25, 1785, was about six years old when brought to Washington. Here he lived at the same place over fourscore years, dying July 18,1870. He was a hatter by trade, and in 1810 opened a factory at Washington, where hats were made by hand. This business he continued until 1814 when he retired. In 1818 he married Elizabeth, daughter of James Wisbey, of Washington, and seven children were born to them: Michael and James W., both at Washington, one that died in infancy; Brady, a physician, who died at Washington, March 26 1803; Sophia, who married Charles Hayes, and died at Washington in 1854; Philip, who also died at Washington, December 18, 1873, and Stephen, who died in April, 1891, at the age of fifty-six years. The father was called from earth July 18, 1870, at the age of eighty-six years (he was a Jacksonian Democrat, and for a time served as borough treasurer; was a Freemason, having been initiated in 1824); the mother died April 21 1884, when eighty-four years old.

Michael G. Kuntz received his education at the public schools of his native place, remaining under the paternal roof until he was eighteen years of age, when he proceeded to Wheeling, W. Va., in order to learn the cabinet making trade. On completing his apprenticeship, he returned to Washington, where for a time he worked for 'Thomas Bryson, and at journey work, until 1844, when he opened a shop in Washington for his own account. This he conducted until April, 1856, when he embarked in the gents' furnishing business, which he has since continued, having been located at his present stand over twenty-eight years. On October 16, 1844, Mr. Kuntz was married to Miss Eliza Jane, daughter of John Ruth, who came to Washington from Maryland at an early day, dying here. This union has been blessed with six children, viz.: George B., in his father's store; Mary Jane, married to Robert McBrury, and now keeping house for her father; James Jr., in the real-estate business at Washington; Elizabeth wife of John M. Morrow, of Washington, and John R., a druggist of Washington. The mother died April 19, 1886, at the age of sixty-three years. Mr. Kuntz has been a lifelong Democrat, and teas not failed to poll his vote for fifty years, his first Presidential vote being cast in the fall of 1844, when be had to walk sixteen miles for that purpose. He joined the I. O. 0. F. at Washington, and in February, 1843, became a charter member of Lodge No. 81. His present home is on South Main street, where he has resided for the last sixteen years.

Text taken from page 223 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed March 1997 by John R. Mort of Salt Pointe, NY as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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