BIO: James Irwin KUNES, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  JAMES IRWIN KUNES, a member of the firm of S. H. & J. I. Kunes, is 
one of the leading and enterprising business men of Eagleville, Centre 
county, where he is successfully engaged in general merchandising and 
in the lumber trade.  His success has come to him not as a result of 
propitious circumstances, but as a reward for farsighted dealing, 
executive ability and discrimination.  With a laudable ambition he has 
grasped eagerly every opportunity for raising himself to the level of 
the high standard he has set up, and his resolute purpose and 
commendable diligence have secured for him the goal of his hopes.
  Mr. Kunes was born June 17, 1839, in the village which is still his 
home, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Bechdel) Kunes, the former a 
native of Eagleville and the latter of Liberty township, Centre county.  
During his early life the father engaged in farming, later conducting a 
hotel in Eagleville for many years, but spent his last days in 
retirement there, where his death occurred.  His wife died near Beach 
Creek, Centre county, in 1847, at the age of thirty-six years.  Both 
were earnest members of the Christian Church; in politics he was first 
a Whig, later a Republican.
  To the parents of our subject were born the following children: 
David, who died in infancy; Samuel H.; Joseph B., who died in 1894; 
Mahala, deceased wife of William Clark, a farmer of Marsh Creek, Penn.; 
James Irwin; Daniel B., a brief sketch of whom follows; Fannie P., wife 
of Mills Linn, a farmer of Clinton county, Penn.  After the mother's 
death the father wedded Elizabeth Potts, of Millheim, Centre county, 
who is still residing in Eagleville.
  The paternal grandparents of our subject, Daniel and Hannah 
(Roerbanck) Kunes, were natives of Pennsylvania and among the founders 
of Eagleville, while the great-grandfather, who also bore the name of 
Daniel and was a Revolutionary soldier, made his home in Centre county, 
and died at Eagleville.  David and Susan (Hell-

280  COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

man) Beckdell, the maternal grandparents, made their home on Marsh 
creek, Centre county, where the grandfather engaged in farming and the 
distillery business.  
  At the age of sixteen, James I. Kunes began life for himself by 
working on the farm of his brother, Samuel H., with whom he remained 
some four years, and for the following six years engaged in boating on 
the canal.  Subsequently he conducted the "Kunes Hotel" for three 
years, and then purchased a farm, which he operated at intervals some 
five years.  In 1873, in partnership with his brother, Daniel B., he 
engaged in merchandising in Eagleville for three years, at the end of 
which time he became sole owner, but since 1894 he and his brother, 
Samuel H., have conducted a general store at that place, and have built 
up an extensive and lucrative business.  In connection with his 
mercantile pursuits, our subject is also interested in lumbering and 
farming, in which he has met with a well-deserved success.
  On October 14, 1867, in Eagleville, Mr. Kunes was married to Miss 
Margaret E. Graham, and to them was born one daughter, who died when 
only nineteen days old.  Eight years ago Mr. and Mrs. James I. Kunes 
adopted a bright two-year-old boy, Charles Graham, a nephew.  He is a 
smart little lad, learning very fast, and a source of much gladness and 
pleasure to his adopted parents.  Their residence, which is the finest 
in Eagleville, is a two-story-and-a-half brick building, and their 
hospitality reigns supreme; there their many friends are always sure to 
find a hearty welcome.  As will have been seen, the family has long 
been prominently identified with the business interests of Eagleville 
and vicinity, and the name of Kunes deserves an honored place in a work 
of this character.  Our subject uses his right of franchise in support 
of the men and measures of the Republican party; is a public-spirited, 
progressive man, giving his influence and support to all worthy 
enterprises for the benefit of the community; and is a faithful and 
consistent member of the Christian Church.
  Daniel B. Kunes, brother of our subject, was born in Liberty 
township, Centre county, February 1, 1841, and on the 28th of March, 
1869, was married to Miss Mary D. Mapes, by whom he has three children: 
Lloyd B., bookkeeper for the Berwick Stove Company (limited), of 
Berwick, Penn.; Josephine at home; and one that died in infancy.  For 
the past sixteen years Mr. Kunes has acceptably served as justice of 
the peace in Eagleville, and he is one of its most highly respected and 
valued citizens.