BIO: Jacob L. KUNTZ, Clearfield County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Sally Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/ NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/1picts/swoope/swoope.htm _____________________________________________________________ From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr., Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 637 & 638. _____________________________________________________________ JACOB L. KUNTZ, whose farm of 173 acres, lying one mile north of Troutville, Pa., is justly considered one of the best in Brady Township, Clearfield County, is one of the representative men of this section and has been a member of the council of the borough of Troutville ever since he moved to the place from the country, some nineteen years since. Mr. Kuntz was born May 17, 1844, in Lycoming County, Pa., and is a son of Lewis and Susanna (Boob) Kuntz. Lewis Kuntz was born in 1800, in Bavaria, Germany, where he learned the milling business. In 1827 he emigrated to America and settled first at Allentown, Lehigh County, Pa., where he operated a mill. From there he moved to Hughesville, in Lycoming County, where he conducted a mill for a Mr. Lyon for a time and then bought a farm located within six miles of Hughesville, which he sold six years later and moved to Clearfield county, at which time he bought the present Jacob L. Kuntz farm, paying $400 for the place. The only improvement was a log cabin and the land was mainly covered with timber. Six years later he put up a comfortable frame house which stood until 1903 when it was replaced by a modern ten-room brick structure, which was erected by its present owner. Later in life Lewis Kuntz purchased an adjoining farm and there he died in 1884. He was an excellent business man and was ever a highly respected citizen. Lewis Kuntz was twice married, first at Mifflinburg, Union county, to Susanna Boob, who was born in Union county, Pa., and died in Clearfield county in 1871, aged sixty-six years. His second marriage was to Margaret Zilliox, who survived him. His children were all born to his first marriage and they were seven in number, as follows: Sarah, who married Henry Kriner and both are deceased; Elizabeth, who is now deceased, was the wife of David Reems; Henry, who died when three years old; John W., who lives at Troutville; Carolina, who is the wife of Jacob Schwem, of Sagamore, Pa.; Jacob L.; Catherine, who is deceased; Emanuel; and Franklin P., the last named having left home thirty years ago, and never since communicating with his family. Jacob L. Kuntz was three years old when he was brought to Clearfield county, his parents making the trip in a big wagon that conveyed also their household belongings from Lycoming county. He grew to manhood in Brady township and at irregular times attended the old fashioned country school but as there was so much work to be done on the farm in those days, all the sons had to give help as soon as their strength permitted. Mr. Kuntz remained at home and in 1869 bought the homestead from his father and continued to reside on it until 1892, when he moved to Troutville. All the pine timber and coal on the place have been sold but there is still a valuable tract of hard-wood timber that commands a high price at the present time. Mr. Kuntz owns a comfortable residence in this borough and has other property at Troutville which is also improved. Mr. Kuntz was married February 3, 1870, to Miss Caroline Knarr, who is a daughter of Henry Knarr and a member of one of the old and substantial families of the county. They have three children, namely: Henry M., who manages his father's farm in Brady township, married Elizabeth Weber and they have had three children - Carrie, Jacob L. and George R.; Mary Alice, who died aged one year; and Clara, who is the wife of Harry London, of Troutville. Mr. and Mrs. London have two children: Carrie Gladys and Freeda. Mr. Kuntz and family are members of the Reformed church of which he has always been a liberal supporter. In politics he is a Democrat and has served six years on the school board. He belongs to the Grange and to the Odd Fellows.