My Genealogy Hound

HENRY T. HUNSICKER, a descendant of an honored, early family of Montgomery county, and a coal, flour, feed and lumber merchant at Iron Bridge, Perkiomen township, was born March 24, 1861, in Skippack township, Montgomery county.

He spent his boyhood days about his father’s mill, and in attending the common schools. Later he took a course at Ursinus College, Collegeville, in the West Chester State Normal School, and completed his education in Bryant and Stratton’s Business College in Philadelphia. He remained with his father in business, and in 1884, on the retirement of Philip M. Hunsicker, he succeeded him in the business in which he has since been engaged at Iron Bridge. He takes contracts for building houses and barns, and keeps on hand all the materials necessary for construction. He has an extensive trade in each line of his business. He owns a fine brick residence, and has established an enviable reputation for business ability. Mr. Hunsicker has been a committeeman in Perkiomen township for fourteen years, and during all the political campaigns he has been an active worker in the interests of the Republican party. In religious faith he is a member of the Reformed church of Collegeville. He belongs to the following secret organizations: Warren Masonic Lodge, of Trappe, of which he has been secretary for three years; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 714, Norristown; Royal Arch Masons, Chapter 190, Norristown; Hutchinson Commandery, No. 32, K. T., Norristown; Lulu Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Philadelphia; Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Economy Lodge, No. 297, Collegeville; Red Men, Tohikon Lodge, Green Lane; Iron Bridge Castle, No. 104, Knights of the Golden Eagle, which he has served as treasurer for the last ten years; Washington Camp. No. 267, Patriotic Order Sons of America, of Iron Bridge, of which he has been treasurer since 1893, and of the Gratersford Beneficial Society. He is treasurer of the Mingo Express Horse Company of Montgomery county, is treasurer, stockholder and an incorporator of the Sterling Mine and Tunnel Company, of Idaho Springs, Colorado; and secretary and treasurer of the Royersford Street Rail way Company.

On September 15, 1883, Henry T. Hunsicker married Emma C., daughter of John S. and Louisa (Cole) Hunsicker, who was born in Perkiomen township, December 18, 1863. John S. Hunsicker is the son of Henry Hunsicker, who was the son of John Hunsicker, all of them being descendants of Valentine Hunsicker. The children of Henry Hunsicker, grandfather of Mrs. Henry T. Hunsicker: Enos; F. R. C., a minister in the Presbyterian church; Mary, Mrs. Markley; Sallie, Mrs. Holdman; Kate, Mrs. Umstead; and John S., father of Mrs. Hunsicker. John S. Hunsicker was born at the old homestead near Rahn Station (now Iron Bridge), in Perkiomen township, where his father was born, reared, and in turn reared his family. He is a highly respected farmer, and holds the office of justice of the peace and assessor of the township, being also secretary of the Mingo Express Horse Company. His wife is the daughter of Abraham Cole, a farmer. The children of Abraham Cole: Louisa (Mrs. John S. Hunsicker); Henry, a farmer, ex-treasurer of Montgomery county, and president of the Royersford Bank. The children of John S. and Louisa Hunsicker: Emma C. (Mrs. Henry T. Hunsicker); Irene, Mrs. F. Saylor; Wilmer, resides with his parents; Harry, an employee of the railroad. John S. Hunsicker is a deacon in the Reformed church, of which he and his family are members.

Philip M. Hunsicker, father of Henry T. Hunsicker, was born November 18, 1836, in Franconia township, Montgomery county, where he spent his youth, being a pupil at a day school, and afterwards at Freeland Academy at Collegeville. On the completion of his studies he entered his father’s mill on the Perkiomen to learn the trade. He assisted his father for a time, and then rented the mill, operating it until he engaged in the lumber coal, and feed business at Rahn Station, now Iron Bridge, as a successor to his father, continuing thus until 1884, when his son succeeded him. He then retired from active business, and now resides in Philadelphia. Mr. Hunsicker married, September 18, 1858, Lizzie R., daughter of John Z. Tyson, of Perkiomen township. The children of John Tyson: Henry R., Elizabeth (mother); Mary, Mrs. Hallman; Sallie, unmarried, and Enos. The children of Philip M. and Elizabeth Hunsicker: Melvin T., a merchant at Iron Bridge; Henry T., subject of this sketch; Clayton, born in 1863, engaged in the hatting business; Norwood P., born 1869, deceased; Elmer Ellsworth, born 1873, in Chicago; Addie T., born in 1875, deceased. Mrs. Elizabeth Hunsicker died May 4, 1881, and Philip Hunsicker married (second wife), October 26, 1882, Mrs. Ella C. Kulp, daughter of John H. Custer, of Worcester township, Montgomery county. Mr. Hunsicker has one daughter by the second wife, Eleanora, unmarried. The children of Henry T. and Emma C. Hunsicker: Le Roy, died at the age of fifteen years; Stanley, Sadie, Elsie.

Henry T. Hunsicker is an active politician, and exercises great influence in township affairs, as well as in county politics. He is a very strong advocate of permanent road improvement, and at the election in February, 1904, advocated the adoption of that policy in Perkiomen township, but the proposition was defeated owing to false economy on the part of voters. Mr. Hunsicker is an aspirant for the position of recorder of deeds, and his energy is a guarantee that he will succeed in the object of his ambition. He is popular and highly esteemed in the community in which he resides.

The progenitor of the Hunsicker family in Montgomery county was Valentine Hunsicker, a native of Switzerland, who emigrated to the United States in 1717, and three years later settled in what is now Perkiomen township. His son Henry married Mary, daughter of John Detwiler. Their children: Henry C., John D., Daniel D., William D., Elizabeth, Mary, Catharine and Susanna. Henry C. Hunsicker (grandfather) was born in Perkiomen township. He married, in 1833, Lydia, daughter of Philip Markley. Their children: Philip M., Charles M., Daniel M., Henry M., Henry M., second; Mary M., Mrs. Henry Yelles; Ann M., Mrs. James Koons; Deborah, Mrs. H. T. Johnson; Lydia, Mrs. Benjamin Saylor, and Kate N., never married.