Muntz, Henry

Henry MUNTZ was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 14, 1794, and is a son of George and Christina C. (RAPP) MUNTZ. When ten years of age, he accompanied his parents to America , or the New World, as it was called, starting April 1, 1804, and arriving at Baltimore July 4 of this year, where he was very forcibly impressed with the peculiarities of the Negroes. Their first winter was spent at Zelienople, and the following year they removed to Harmony, where he attended school. His parents moved on a new farm, and, although young, he became conversant with the toils and privations of pioneer life. His father was killed June 4, 1812, by a falling tree, while his mother's death did not occur until 1836.

In 1811, he was apprenticed to a saddler in Zelienople, and it was here that he developed a thirst for knowledge, and attended night school and pursued his studies privately until his fund of information was largely extended. In 1815, he established himself in the business he had learned in Harmony. But youth and inexperience was no match for older tradesmen, and he soon discontinued business, and became a wanderer, visiting Ohio and Indiana on foot. He returned home, but in 1819 his roving propensities again gained the ascendency, and he went farther east, finally locating in New York City, but left there in February, 1820, because of the failure of his employer, and walking to Philadelphia and getting no employment, he was obliged to sell his coat to pay expenses. In April, 1820, he returned to Zelienople, established himself in business, and assisted this same year in organizing St. Paul's Church. In 1825, was elected to the church council, and superintended the erection of the stone church. Being a man of deep piety, he has done much--contributing largely of time and money--to the support of the Gospel, and has traveled hundreds of miles on foot to assist along [p.226] the good work, having done his full share during the journey of life, now most terminated. He has always observed the golden rule. With his brother Gottlob he continued in business for ten years from 1829. He also served as Postmaster for four years from 1841, when he resigned.

May 31, 1853, he was married to Mrs. Catharine DIEFFENBACHER, widow of Rev. Jacob F., who was once pastor of the Reformed Church in Harmony, where he died in 1842. Her maiden name was HOTTEL, and she was born in Woodstock, Va., June 6, 1815. By her first husband she bore four sons--Dioduras S., Eusebius H., Cyrus R. and Jacob F., the first three being ministers of the Gospel. Mr. and Mrs. MUNTZ are the parents of one daughter named Zelie. Mrs. MUNTZ is an estimable lady, and has well fulfilled her mission in life.