My Genealogy Hound

J. M. KUNZ, a hardware merchant of Pinckneyville, was born in the province of Nona, Prussia, December 21, 1832. His father, Frederick Kunz, was a small farmer in the Old Country, where his entire life was passed. Our subject, was the youngest of a family of six, there being four brothers and two sisters. Of this number, himself, one brother and one sister are now living. Prior to the age of fourteen years he attended the schools of his native land, after which he learned the trade of a blacksmith.

Coming to America in 1853, Mr. Kunz worked at his trade in St. Louis for two years, and then spent one year in Chester. In 1856 he came to Pinckneyville, where he followed his trade until 1883. By hard work and good management he accumulated some money, which he invested in real estate, and the property having increased in value, he has become well-to-do. He still owns considerable valuable real estate in Pinckneyville, including the two lots on the east side of the square, where his store is located. He expects in the near future to build a fine opera house.

In 1883, when he left the anvil, Mr. Kunz engaged in the hardware and machinery business, in which he has since built up a large trade. He is one of the substantial and wealthy men of the city, and is respected by all who know him. Prominent in public affairs, he has served for six terms as Alderman, and is at present a member of the Board of Education. Politically he is a Democrat. In 1856 he married Miss Lottie Halkomeyer, and they became the parents of four children, namely: Theodore, who died at the age of eighteen years; Mary, who is at home; Henry, who is a traveling salesman for a St. Louis firm, and Jacob, who is employed in a hardware store in St. Louis. The mother of these children died in 1871.

The second marriage of Mr. Kunz united him with Catherine Wildemote, a native of Germany. They have eight children, as follows: Fritz, who assists his father in the store; Charles, who is also with his father in the hardware business; Emma, Tillie, George, Eddie, Arthur and Harmon, who are attending the public schools. Mr. Kunz and his family are members of the Lutheran Evangelical Church, and he was for many years a Trustee, but resigned from that position in 1894.