My Genealogy Hound

JOHN J. UNANGST, a leading merchant and prominent business man of Nazareth, was born in Lower Nazareth Township, Northampton County, November 15, 1832, and is of German descent. The first representatives of the family in America were three brothers, Philip, George Henry and John Unangst, who emigrated from Germany to this country in a very early day and settled in Pennsylvania, John Jacob locating in Williams Township, Philip in Mt. Bethel, and George Henry in Bethlehem Township, Northampton County. The latter was the grandfather of our subject and a farmer by occupation. His family consisted of seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom are deceased.

Jacob Unangst, the father of our subject, was born on the old homestead in Bethlehem Township, February 22, 1799, and departed this life February 27, 1876, at the age of seventy-seven years and five days. He died in Bethlehem Township and was buried in the Hicktown Cemetery. December 12, 1819, he married Miss Elizabeth Johnson, and they became the parents of seven children, as follows: Catherine, the wife of Daniel Wagner, who resides near Easton, Pa.; William, a farmer of Moore Township; Susan, Mrs. Robert Fogle, of Bethlehem Township; Jonas, who died in infancy; John J., our subject; Elizabeth, the wife of James W. Woodring, of Bethlehem Township; and Lucinda, Mrs. James A. Dech, of Allen Township. The father was a Democrat in politics, and was always found in the front ranks of that party. In his religious connections he was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. In his later years he became very deaf, which affliction disqualified him for the active duties of life.

The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood in Bethlehem Township, and was educated in the public schools and in Vanderveer’s school. Soon after completing his studies he became a teacher in the schools of his vicinity, and continued in the arduous duties of that profession until he attained the age of twenty-two, when he married, and with his young wife began keeping hotel. For fifteen years he was the “jolly host” of the Seip’s Hotel. While making his home in Seip’s he took an active part in politics, and filled several offices of honor and trust. He was elected Treasurer of the county, and at various times filled most of the local offices of his township. He also served as Committeeman and as a delegate to the county conventions.

In 1869 Mr. Unangst moved to Nazareth and commenced to manufacture farming implements, in which for ten years he conducted a successful business. Misfortune then befell him, for his factory and all its contents were destroyed by fire, causing a loss of $30,000. At the time of the fire there was no insurance on the property, and consequently everything was lost. Being energetic and a man of good business ability, Mr. Unangst was not discouraged by this catastrophe, but immediately embarked in the mercantile business, and in that he has succeeded beyond his anticipations. March 1, 1883, the firm title became John J. Unangst & Son. They are dealers in general merchandise, and carry a stock valued at about $15,000. In addition to his other business interests, he owns and conducts a large farm in Bethlehem Township, which is one of the finest in the county. In 1886 he removed to Bethlehem, where he has since made his residence.

Mr. Unangst was united in marriage January 13, 1855, with Miss Susan C., daughter of Peter Seip, a well known citizen of Seip’s. They became the parents of eight children, as follows: Edna, the wife of George D. Kressler, of West Bethlehem; Eugene P., a druggist of Bethlehem, who married Carrie Uberoth, of Philadelphia; Edward J., a member of the firm of John J. Unangst & Son, and who married Mary Helms, of Easton; Lizzie, wife of Dr. Wilson Kern, of Upper Nazareth Township; Oliver E., who died in infancy; Jane P., the wife of Walter S. Freeman, a druggist of Phillipsburg, N. J.; Mary S., the wife of Albert E. Duckham, a civil engineer of Pittsburg, Pa.; and Addison, who is connected with the Unangst Furniture and Carpet Store of Nazareth.

Politically Mr. Unangst is a Democrat, and has filled several offices of trust. While making his home in Nazareth he served as Burgess of the borough for some time, and also filled the office of School Director. He is an Elder in the Lutheran Church of Bethlehem, and takes an active interest in all church work, also in educational affairs. His business career has been such as to win for him the confidence of his associates, and socially his genial, generous disposition has won for him a host of warm friends.