My Genealogy Hound

JOHN B. KUNTZ. About the year 1832 there came to America from Germany a man named Thomas Kuntz. He landed at New York, but soon afterward came to Pennsylvania and settled at Hanover, York county, where he lived about five years. He was a laboring man, and with a view of bettering his condition and obtaining for himself a home he in 1837 removed to what is now South Dickinson township, Cumberland county. His wife’s name was Maria, but not much is known concerning the history of her family. He died in 1861, but his wife survived for some years afterward. To Thomas and Maria Kuntz were born ten children, five sons and five daughters: Catharine, Philip, Maria, George, John B., Elizabeth, Conrad, Rebecca, Thomas and Annie.

John B. Kuntz, the son who is the subject of this historical sketch, was born March 2, 1838, in South Dickinson township, in sight of where he now lives and has always lived. He was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools of his part of the country. When about seventeen years of age he apprenticed himself to the trade of stonemason, which he learned and worked at in Dickinson township and also in Shippensburg and vicinity. He also worked on the farm for his father until he was twenty-two years of age.

On June 22, 1861, Mr. Kuntz enlisted in the 1st Pennsylvania Artillery, Campbell’s Regiment, which was then being raised in Camp Curtin, Harrisburg. When the regiment was filled and sent to the front it was divided up and assigned to different divisions of the army. The detachment in which John B. Kuntz happened to be, consisted of three companies and was placed with the Pennsylvania Reserves, a thoroughly drilled organization that participated in many battles and was nearly always in the thickest of the fight. The first engagement in which his battery was under fire was the battle of Drainesville, Dec. 20, 1861. His battery continued well up at the front all through the fall of 1861, and during the winter and the spring of 1862. Early in the spring of 1862 it was at Yorktown and thence up in front of Richmond, where the following June it passed through the hottest of the memorable seven days’ fight. In August it was sent to the protection of Washington. On its way it was landed at Aquia Creek, thence hurried to Gen. Pope’s support at the Second Battle of Bull Run, where, on Aug. 30, 1862, John B. Kuntz lost his good right arm. Although he did lose an arm his country did not lose his service. As soon as he was able to leave the hospital he was assigned to the Quartermaster’s Department in the city of Washington under Gen. Rugger, where he did duty for four years.

After the war was over Mr. Kuntz returned to his home in South Dickinson and resumed work upon the farm which he left in June, 1861. He soon afterward bought sixty-five acres of land, upon which he erected buildings, making a home for his after years. In 1872 he married Susanna Starner, daughter of Moses and Elizabeth Starner, of Adams county, and she has borne him the following children: Effie A., who is married to Harry Beam and is living at Zion Church, in Dickinson township; Elmer E., who is a graduate of Dickinson College, is a teacher, has visited Europe, and is a well-rounded scholar; Marietta, who is married to Edward Murray and lives at Zion Church, Dickinson township; Theresa Mary, who is married to J. Park Gardner, and lives in Adams county; and Grover C., who is a stenographer, and at this writing is filling a position in Philadelphia. Three other children, Goldie C., Thomas J., and Maria, are dead.

In politics Mr. Kuntz is a stalwart Democrat, firm and abiding in the faith, and in his prime was an active and efficient party worker. He ranks high in the confidence and respect of his neighbors and has repeatedly been called on by them to fill township offices. He takes a deep interest in education and long held the position of school director, and as such was active and influential in promoting the best interests of the schools. In 1890 he was nominated and elected county commissioner and for three years rendered the public efficient and satisfactory service in that position. He is an enterprising, public-spirited citizen, a man of good judgment and honest impulses, and on all subjects has the courage of his convictions. He and his family attend Zion Lutheran Church, of South Dickinson township, and are among the most esteemed people of that section.