JAMES W. KUNTZ enjoys the distinction of being one of the oldest residents of Washington borough. His grandfather, Michael Kuntz, a laborer by occupation, came unaccompanied, in 1788, from Lancaster county, Penn., to Washington county, and bought land where now stands Brady's jewelry store, in the borough of Washington. Here Michael Kuntz built a cabin, but on account of the Indians his family did not come out until May, 1790. He returned to Lancaster county, and there died in 1794; he was a Freemason of high standing. His widow survived him until about the year 1850, when she was called from earth at the advanced age of eighty-five years; she was his second wife, and there is no record of any children by his first marriage. To his second union five children were born, of whom we find the names of George, Jacob, Sophia (Mrs. George Burker, formerly of Washington) and Mrs. Reddick (deceased). The family crossed the mountains on pack horses, the packs or saddle-bags being made of homemade linen, and when the little boys were tired walking they were placed in the pockets of these saddle bags. George Kuntz, born in Lancaster county, Penn., January 25, 1785, was about six years old when brought to Washington, and here he lived at the same place about fourscore years, dying July 18, 1870. He was a hatter, who, in 1810, opened a factory in Washington where hats were made by hand. This business he continued until 1844, when he retired. In 1818 he married Elizabeth, daughter of James Wisbey, of Washington, and seven children were born to them, viz.: Michael and James W., both in Washington; one that died in infancy; Brady, a physician, who died in Washington March 26, 1863; Sophia, who married Charles Hayes, and died in Washington in 1854; Philip, who also died in Washington, and Stephen, who died in April, 1891, at the age of flfty-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. He was a Freemason, having been initiated in 1824. The mother died April 21, 1884, aged eighty-four years. James W. Kuntz was born February 20, 1821, in an Old log house which stood on the same piece of land on which he now resides. He received his rudimentary education at the public schools of the borough, and later attended Washington College, at which time he became acquainted with James G. Blaine. He learned the trade of cabinet maker with Thomas Bryson, ultimately buying a half-interest in the business, in which he continued several years. In 1849, being seized with the "gold fever," he set out for California, across the plains, the journey occupying six months. His health, beginning to fail in that land of promise, and having a friend whose mind was affected, he concluded, in 1851, to return to Pennsylvania. While en route the friend became totally demented, jumped overboard and was drowned, and Mr. Kuntz, now alone, continued his homeward trip. He then opened a leather store in Washington, which he carried on successfully for twenty years, when he sold out and moved on his farm in Franklin township, but in 1887 returned to Washington, where he now lives comparatively retired. In 1865 Mr. Kuntz married Nancy, a daughter of Samuel Workman, of Washington. No children have been born to them. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served as burgess of Washington some six or seven years. Socially he is a Freemason.

Text taken from page 281 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed August 1997 by Jean Suplick Matuson of Plano, TX as part of the Beers Project. Published August 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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