My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book,  Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

JOSEPH HUNSICKER, a prominent and prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of Washington Township, is a native of Lehigh County, and his birth occurred January 12, 1844. He is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Klotz) Hunsicker, both natives of this county. The paternal grandfather was also born in this county, while his father is said to have come from Germany to this country when a young man. Daniel Hunsicker died during the Civil War, although he was not a soldier. Of the parental family, those living are: Joel, residing in Lowhill Township; our subject, and Lewis, who lives in South Whitehall Township. The father served as School Director of Washington Township for a number of years and died in the faith of the Reformed Church.

The subject of this brief sketch was reared in this county and has been a life-long farmer. He received but a limited education in the common schools of the district and is a self-made man in the truest sense of the word. The present estate of Mr. Hunsicker includes one hundred and twenty acres of finely tilled land, on which he raises fine crops each year. He also owns fine blooded animals of all kinds, in which he takes great interest.

Mr. Hunsicker and Miss Sarah Krouse were united in marriage in 1868, and their union was blessed by the birth of three children, Oliver, Wilson (deceased) and Richard D. The good wife and mother was called to the land beyond in 1881. The second union of our subject took place in 1883, when Mrs. Atellia Hoffman, the widow of A. P. Hoffman, of Washington Township, became his wife. Mrs. Hunsicker is the daughter of George Krouse. She became the mother of two children, both of whom are deceased.

Mr. Hunsicker has served his township efficiently as School Director, and in his religious views is a valued member of the Reformed Church, being one of the elders of the denomination. He is always in favor of everything tending to improve the county and township and is justly recognized as one of the prominent and influential citizens of the township.

* * * *

This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the book, Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company. 

View additional Lehigh County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Lehigh County, Pennsylvania Biographies

View a historic 1911 map of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

View family biographies for other states and counties

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.