Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Koontz, George W. 1863 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 July 14, 2013, 10:41 pm

Source: See Below
Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher

GEORGE W. KOONTZ.

George W. Koontz, a prosperous agriculturist of Highland township, Wapello
county, was born in Keokuk county, this state, September 26, 1863, a son of
Henry and Elizabeth (Grimes) Koontz, natives of North Carolina, who came to Iowa
in 1845, settling here when primitive conditions of pioneer life were yet
existing throughout nearly the whole state. The father located on a farm, where
he built a log cabin, and in that structure he lived for a number of years. Both
parents died in Hedrick. In their family were ten children, of whom seven are
now living.

George W. Koontz was reared on the homestead, acquiring his education in the
schools of the neighborhood and early acquainting himself with thorough
agricultural methods. After completing his studies he continued on the home farm
until twenty-one years of age and then rented land, being engaged in its
cultivation until 1893. Having acquired the necessary means he bought a store in
Hedrick, which he conducted for two years, at the end of which time he purchased
a farm in Franklin county, upon which he lived until 1901, in which year he
disposed of his interests there and bought a farm in Mahaska county which he
cultivated and improved for seven years. At the end of that period he bought the
one hundred and twenty-five acre farm in Highland township upon which he now
lives. Since having become owner of this property he has made a number of
improvements and has increased the yield of his acres to a remarkable extent,
always following the most modern ideas along agricultural lines. He has
installed improved machinery and his buildings are kept in good repair,
bespeaking by their appearance the careful management which Mr. Koontz exercises
over his affairs.

In 1884 Mr. Koontz married Miss Wilda M. Sheets, who was born in Keokuk county
and is a daughter of Newt and Mary (Abrahams) Sheets, natives of Ohio, who in
the early days came to the middle west and settled in this state. Mr. Sheets
died in 1895, being survived by his widow. In their family were five children,
all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Koontz are the parents of four children:
Walter F., who is a graduate of the high school and who is engaged in teaching;
Delpha A., the wife of William Robertson of Wapello county; Alma G., a student
in the high school; and Mary H.

Mr. Koontz and his family attend the Baptist church, to which they give generous
support. He is a democrat, in full sympathy with the aims and principles of that
party, and has served in all of the township offices, being at present in his
second term as trustee of Highland township. Mr. Koontz has contributed toward
raising agricultural standards in his county and, moreover, is always interested
in promoting public enterprises which promise to be of advantage to the
community. While he has attained to prosperity he has not neglected his duties
as a citizen and has been ever ready to contribute his share to all worthy causes.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914



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