My Genealogy Hound

DAVID KUNTZ. This prominent citizen of Northampton County needs no introduction to our readers, for he is widely and favorably known, and is at present living retired in Treichler’s. He is a native of this county, and was born November 10, 1834, being the son of Solomon and Saloma (Saeger) Kuntz.

The father of our subject was born in this city, while his mother was a native of Lehigh County. The Kuntz family is an old and prominent one in this section, the first of the name having located here early in the last century. Solomon Kuntz, who followed the occupation of a farmer, departed this life in 1883. He reared a large family of children, of whom the following four are living: Mrs. F. M. Hower, who resides in Danielsville, this state; Elizabeth, also making her home in that place; David, of this sketch, the next in order of birth; and Stephen, who makes his home in Allentown.

The original of this sketch was reared to man’s estate on his father’s farm, and in the mean time acquired a goodly amount of knowledge in the common schools and in the academy at Norristown, this state. In 1867 he left home and accepted the position of station agent for the Central Railroad Company of New Jersey, serving in that capacity until 1884, when, on account of ill health, he was obliged to resign from that business.

April 5, 1858, David Kuntz and Miss Mary A., daughter of Charles and Mary (Brown) Berlin, were united in marriage. The lady was born July 22, 1837, in Northampton County, of which section her parents were also natives. The family had the honor of naming Berlinsville, where they resided for many years. Mr. Berlin was a blacksmith by occupation, and departed this life in 1867, greatly respected and mourned. Of the family of children of whom he became the father, six survive, namely: Mrs. Kuntz; Cecelia, the wife of Abram Buck, living in Topeka, Kan.; Edwin, a resident of Cherryville, this state; Elizabeth, the wife of James Scheirer, a resident of Lehigh County; James, a prominent physician of Bath, this state; and Allen, engaged in business in Slatington.

To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born three children: El wood M., living in Mauch Chunk; Wellington W., a mechanical engineer in the Cornell (N. Y.) University; and Jennie, attending high school at Mauch Chunk. Mr. Kuntz is now serving his second term as School Director. With his wife, he is a member in good standing of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lehigh Township, and aids in every way possible to further the cause of Christianity in his community. In politics he is a stanch adherent of Republican principles.

Mr. Kuntz has been very successful in life, and besides owning his valuable estate is a stockholder in the Second National Bank of Allentown. With others he was instrumental in securing the building of the bridge connecting Cherry Ford and Treichler’s, and has been President and Treasurer of the Franklin Bridge Company for many years. He is a wealthy and prominent resident of this county, one who by his upright and honest life commands the confidence and esteem of all who have the honor of his acquaintance.