HUNTZINGER, Franklin B. - a sketch by his great-grandson

HUNTZINGER, WISECARVER, BOYER, MOSER, KOCH, RUDY, MCKAIN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/9/2006 at 13:56:09

"Fairfield Ledger", May 9, 1924

LIFE OF FRANKLIN B. HUNTZINGER, PIONEER MILLER OF JEFFERSON CO.
(This sketch was written by Harold E. WISECARVER, great-grandson of Mr. HUNTZINGER, and read by Mrs. H. E. WISECARVER before the Historical Society of Jefferson County, May 7, 1924.)

In 1709 a body of German Palatines emigrated to America. Four thousand took passage on ten ships at London. The voyage to America took four months. The immigrants who finally came to Pennsylvania and became its permanent settlers, are now referred to as the "Pennsylvania Dutch". They cut down the forests and turned the wilderness into fruitful fields and brought Christianity into the wilds of a heathen country. Among the pioneers were the HUNTZINGERs and the BOYERs.

George HUNTZINGER, great-grandfather of Frank B. HUNTZINGER, settled in Schuykill Haven County, Pennsylvania. During the Revolutionary War he was loyal to the cause of freedom, and fired with patriotic zeal, fought valiantly until all the battles of American liberty were won. His musket and powder horn, which he carried all through the war, are now in the possession of Mrs. Harry MOSER of Schuykill Haven, Pennsylvania. George HUNTZINGER married and one son, Jacob, was born to this union, November 16, 1776. Jacob HUNTZINGER married Susannah KOCH and to them were born eleven children. Jacob HUNTZINGER heeded the call to arms during the War of 1812. Leaving his business in the hands of his capable wife and eldest son, he recruited many men for the army and was made colonel of his regiment. After his return he took up his life work of merchandising and also served as associate justice of the court of common please at Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania. He died at the age of ninety-two, a worthy and highly respected citizen.

On February 17, 1820, F. B HUNTZINGER was born at Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania. After his schooling was completed, he learned the methods of business in his father's employ but the success which crowned his labors in later years was due mostly to his own efforts. He was taught that good business meant honest business, and his later life filled with sterling honesty and integrity shows the effect of this early training.

F. B. HUNTZINGER was married on July 12, 1842, to Miss Sarah RUDY, daughter of John and Maria (BOYER) RUDY. They became the parents of eight children -- Phoebe, Caroline, Valeria, Belle, Libbia, Robert, Frank and Maggie....

In 1862 he built a mill on Skunk River near Brighton, Iowa. It was a beautiful spot. Across the river were deep forests. Back of the mill a hill rose, almost perpendicular with not a shrub on it, probably two hundred feet high. On the brow of the hill stood the two houses. One was occupied by the miller, Mr. McKAIN, the other by Mr. HUNTZINGER. On the edge of the woods, half way down the hill, was a wonderful spring, surrounded by ferns. The water was always cold, always flowing and never freezing in the coldest of weather. The mill became a busy place, as farmers came for miles around. He operated this mill for seven years. During this time he still made his home in Fairfield, driving back and forth, the eighteen miles each weekend, in order that his wife and family might have the benefits of church and school.

As before, fate seemed to turn against him. In the spring the ice went out with a mighty roar, the high water, in its angry downward rush, swept the mill and dam away. The farmers proved themselves real friends by coming at once with teams and wagons and helped to rebuild the mill.

Many incidents worthy of note happened at this mill. One day when hurrying to get out a grist, the machinery stopped suddenly, Mr. HUNTZINGER rushed to see if a floating log might have become lodged in the water wheel. Reaching down he grasped what the thought to be a branch of a tree, but to his horror it was a boy's arm. Quickly pulling the boy out of the water, he began to roll and rub him, working with all his might and was able to revive and save his life. In answer to Mr. HUNTZINGER's question as to how it happened, the boy replied, "I was fishing and fell into the water. It was so swift I could not swim. That is all I remember.".....

He sold this mill to Mr. McKAIN. The following winter, Mr. McKAIN was drowned when trying to cross the river in a boat which was overturned by the floating ice. His sons took charge of the mill, but in a short time it was destroyed by fire and never rebuilt....

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See also "Portrait & Biographical Album of Jefferson & Van Buren Counties", pub. 1890, Page 378, for an article on Franklin B. HUNTZINGER.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.