Phillipp Friedrick Unterkircher 1826-1893

UNTERKIRCHER, JOHNS

Posted By: Deb (email)
Date: 8/17/2015 at 10:02:11

Mr. P. F. Unterkircher died at three o’clock this morning [August 31, 1893] at his residence 313 Washington Street in Burlington. For many days he had combatted bravely with the grim destroyer, but the inevitable end approached faster and faster, and a good man was finally forced to capitulate to the dark angel -- death.

On November 31, 1826, P. F. Unterkircher was born in the town of Metzingen, Germany. When his education was completed he learned the trade of a weaver and rapidly advanced in his chosen calling. In November, 1853, Mr. Unterkircher decided to come to America, and the first of the following month found him in New York City.

From there he went to Clinton, Michigan, where he opened a shop and began weaving. Soon after he obtained a position in a tannery where his ability as a business man was recognized and he was promoted to general manager of the concern. In a short time he bought an interest in the business, finally becoming sole owner.

The great west and the Mississippi valley was at that time the Mecca of all enterprising spirits. At the beginning of the war Mr. Unterkircher sold out his extensive tannery business in Michigan and came to Augusta, in this County, where he lived for four years. The quiet life of the country did not agree with his restless nature, and four years later he was in Burlington operating the big brewery on Mount Pleasant Street west of the railroad track.

After running the brewery for some years he sold it to Werthmueller & Ende, the present owners, and with Geo. A. Duncan as a partner opened up the first steam laundry in Burlington. Soon after he engaged in the livery business on a large scale shortly adding an undertaking branch to the establishment, and today his two big barns stand as a monument to his enterprise and ability.

By strict attention to business he prospered much, and as the frost of time touched his hair with gray he had the pleasure and satisfaction of seeing his business taken hold of by his boys and conducted in a manner that has made the Unterkircher barns the biggest institutions of the character in this part of the country.

For some years he has not been engaged actively in business, but his watchful eye noted with pride each succeeding onward step made and his wise suggestions helped wonderfully in the development of his enterprise. His long and busy life told on his health and seven years ago he took a trip to the continent and made an extended visit with his old friends in the Fatherland. On his return he was much better, but disease and age slowly did their work until the end came today.

On October 14, 1855, Mr. Unterkircher was married in Clinton, Michigan, to Philipina Johns. The union produced twelve children, of whom eight are living today. Fred L. and George C. Unterkircher, Mrs. Theo. Blaul, Chas. T., Horace O., Ida M., Nellie L. and Blanche Unterkircher, all of this city. He leaves also a sister and a brother in Germany, a brother in Michigan and a sister, Mrs. Katherine Betts, in this city. His loving wife and helpmeet he laid away on Sept. 26, 1888.

In this city the deceased was well known as a progressive, able, openhearted man. How many poor, despairing wrecks have been helped to their feet and put on the road to comfort by P. F.
Unterkircher no one can tell. How many men in trouble and how many families in sorrow he has assisted no one knows but God. His left hand never knew the good deeds of his right. As a father his children reverenced him. He was their confidant, their advisor. In short he was such a man as the community could ill afford to lose.

Mr. Unterkircher was a rigid, unfaltering Democrat. He was a liberal supporter of the party in every way, a hard worker for democratic success, well posted on all current political topics and able to hold his own in any debate. An incident illustrating his democracy and his fidelity to the country of his adoption occurred nine years ago during the presidential campaign. Stretched across the street from his barn was a monster American flag. One night a big Republican torch light procession was passing up Washington Street and some young men wantonly shot the flag full of holes with Roman candles. They got a reception from P. F. Unterkircher that was sudden in its impact and lasting in its effect. Some of the young men will never forget the night they shot at the American flag and called down on their heads the wrath of a man who reverenced the flag and its associations, though he was born in a foreign country.

Mr. Unterkircher served at one time as alderman and gave the very best of satisfaction to his constituents.

The funeral of this good citizen and splendid man will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from his late residence. Private services for the family will be held at the residence at 10 o’clock in the morning.

-- The Burlington Daily Gazette, August 31, 1893, page 4.