Sullivan County PA Archives Biographies.....Hunsinger, C. F. 1848 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 28, 2008, 12:42 am Author: Thomas J. Ingham (1899) C. F. HUNSINGER, the popular proprietor of the Colley House, which is located in Colley township, six miles from Dushore, on one of the principal country roads, is a representative farmer of Sullivan county and is most favorably known, not only to the traveling public but also to all throughout the community. He was born in that township, June 29, 1848, his parents being among the early settlers and prominent citizens of the county. His father, Taper Hunsinger, is still living, at the advanced age of seventy-five years. He is a son of John Hunsinger, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, and came with his parents to Sullivan county when a boy of six years. He was one of the respected citizens of Colley township until his removal to Wyoming county about 1895. His wife's maiden name was Mahala Henry. To them were born four children: C. F., the subject of this sketch; Hannah Jane, wife of J. B. Winslow, of Santa Ana, California; Margaret Theresa, wife of G. W. Brown, of Orange county, same state; and Jonathan, of Jackson township, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. The mother of these children died on April 9, 1869, and the father married again, his second wife being Miss Elmina Steele, who also is deceased. She left four children, namely: Thomas, living in Colley township; Hetty, wife of Reuben Shader, of Bradford county, Pennsylvania; Lizzie, wife of J. P. Allen of Colley township; Rush, also of Colley township. Taper Hunsinger has carried on farming during the most of his life. He was s soldier during the Civil war and made an excellent record as a brave and faithful man. He was a member of Company I, First Battery, First United States Light Artillery, and has held a number of local offices, such as constable, tax collector, etc. The family of John Hunsinger, father of Taper, consisted of the following children: William, Jeremiah, Daniel, Taper, Hettie, wife of Rev. Carl Early, of Colley township, also deceased; Margaret, who married Ira Steele; Catharine, the wife of Wilson Potter; and Alfred, also of Colley, a member of the One Hundredth and Forty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in the Civil war. C. F. Hunsinger was brought up to habits of honesty and industry and received a common-school education, to which he has added by study and reading, and is today one of the best-informed men in Sullivan county. He has for many years taken an active part in the Grange and other orders, whereby his knowledge of public matters has been greatly enlarged, and he is a fluent speaker on all topics of the day. He is a practical farmer and has been successful in business enterprises. In 1888 he bought the hotel he is now managing, which is one of the most popular houses in that region. He is a model landlord, giving personal attention to the wants of his guests and providing for them such pleasant accommodations that they are always ready to return to his hospitable abode. In this he is ably seconded by his estimable wife and capable daughters. He has a large patronage, of which he is fully deserving. The first wife of Mr. Hunsinger was Miss Helena Schock, a daughter of George and Catharine (Kuhnley) Schock, of Wilmot, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, to whom he was married July 5, 1869. Of this union three children were born: Howard Milton, deceased; Henrietta, wife of William C. Richard, of Colley township; and Anna M., wife of John H. Dieffenbach, also of Colley township. Mrs. Hunsinger died November 28, 1877, and our subject was united in marriage to his present wife, formerly Miss Celinda E. Hunsinger, January 15, 1879. She is the daughter of P. B. and Lydia (Dresher) Hunsinger, of Wilmot township, Bradford county, Pennsylvania. The children of this marriage are Maude Lillian, Leona May, deceased, and Gladys D. Both the surviving daughters are living at home. Mr. Hunsinger is an active member of the Grange, being a charter member of Colley Grange, No. 365, in which he has held the offices of master, lecturer and secretary. He has represented Colley Grange in the State Grange several times, and has been a representative to the national convention three times. He has been twice elected lecturer of his, Pomona Grange, consisting of the counties of Bradford and Sullivan. Mr. Hunsinger's wife is heartily in sympathy with the Grange movements and has been a zealous laborer in Grange work, as was also his former wife. As soon as his children become eligible they are brought into the circle of the same organization, and his daughter, Maude L., received the seventh degree, admitting her to the National Grange, at the age of seventeen. Mr. Hunsinger was a charter member of the Sullivan County Agricultural Society, and has had twelve years service on the executive committee of that society. He has been frequently requested to accept its presidency and to take other prominent offices, but the location of his home being in the extreme northeast corner of the county has prevented his acceptance of any of them. Mr. Hunsinger was twice elected justice of the peace and served for nearly ten years. A remarkable history is connected with this service. His justice's docket, carefully preserved, shows that there was never a case tried before him which was appealed or a person bound over to the higher courts. His purchase of the hotel prevented his continuance in this office, otherwise it is probable that his docket would have been continued for many more years. For many years a Democrat, although now claiming himself as an independent, Mr. Hunsinger has been a candidate on two occasions for nomination to the legislature in Democratic conventions. He has often been a delegate to political and social conventions, and is always to be found an active and a working member. He is also a valued member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, holding membership in the order since he was twenty-one years of age. Mr. Hunsinger comes naturally by his devotion to the Grange. He is a farmer by nature, and although trying other vocations at various times, he has always come back to farming as his preference. Since his purchase of his hotel ten years ago he has purchased one hundred and eighty-seven acres of land adjacent, which he has developed into the finest farm in Colley township. During this period he has erected not only a fine residence but a large and model barn, and the evidences of his love for agriculture and his interest in that are seen on every hand. Mr. Hunsinger is a man of pleasing address, frank and genial in his manners, honorable in his business affairs and deservedly popular. Additional Comments: Extracted from: History of Sullivan County Pennsylvania by Thomas J. Ingham Compendium of Biography The Lewis Publishing Company Chicago: 1899 This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/ File size: 7.3 Kb