My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM UNRUH, a retired farmer of Springfield township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is the son of Abraham and Margaret Unruh, The Unruh family are of German origin, but their ancestor emigrated at an early date to this country, landing in Philadelphia, and locating in Springfield township, whence the family have scattered into surrounding districts. Phillip Unruh (grandfather) was born in Springfield, was educated in its schools, and engaged in the occupation of farming, which he followed all his life. He married and had several children, among them Abraham (father).

Abraham Unruh was born on the old homestead adjacent to the Philadelphia line, in 1807, and died in 1879. He removed at an early age with his parents to Wyndmoor, in the same township, where he was educated in neighborhood schools and followed the occupation of farming all his adult life. He was a Democrat in politics, and filled for many years the offices of supervisor, auditor and justice of the peace. He married Miss Margaret Unruh, a distant cousin, of the same township, who died in 1900. Their children: Charles, Abraham, Esther, Emeline, Sarah J. and William, the last named the subject of this sketch. All are living.

William Unruh was born January 16, 1837, in the family residence at Wyndmoor, in Springfield township. He was educated in the public schools of the vicinity, and like his ancestors became a farmer, which occupation he followed until 1891, when he retired from active labor, and has since lived in retirement, surrounded with all the comforts of life. Mr. Unruh married, in 1861, Miss Sarah A. Pierson, daughter of John Pierson, a farmer by occupation, residing on the county line as it is called, between Philadelphia and Montgomery. They have but one child, John W., who married Mary C. Snyder, and has one child, William S. Unruh. Mr. Unruh is a Democrat in politics, and has held the offices of supervisor, assessor, and auditor of the township. He was drafted during the war for the Union, but sent a substitute to take his place in the army. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for more than forty years. He and his family attend the Baptist church.