Biography of Wilson Asbury Koontz
From PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FAYETTE, PICKAWAY AND MADISON COUNTIES, OHIO
Chapman Bros. [Chicago, 1892]
Page 125
WILSON ASBURY KOONTZ, a prominent and influential citizen of Madison County, now living a retired life in Midway, was born on the 13th of November, 1821, in Rockingham County, Va., and is one of two children born unto Philip and Mary (Crumley) Koontz. His father was a native of Virginia and the grandfather, Peter Koontz, was of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. The former was a prominent man. He served as Judge, Surveyor, and Justice of the Peace and represented his district in the Legislature. He was twice married, and by the second union two children were born. With the exception of our subject and his cousin John, of Washington, C. H., all have changed the spelling of their name to Counts.
Wilson lost his father when he was only four years old. He continued to reside in Virginia until eighteen years of age, when he emigrated to Gallia County, Ohio. The next year, he came to Madison County and engaged in teaching the district school near Danville. For ten years, he followed that profession with good success. He married, April 5, 1848, Miss Louisa C. Counts, who was born in Range Township, May 28, 1822, and is a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Walker) Counts. Her father, D. Counts, came from Rockingham County, Va., and her mother was of English birth. Mr. Koontz continued to engage in teaching for a few years after his marriage and then began clerking in a store in Danville, where he was employed for two and a half years. At the expiration of that time, he inherited some property, which he added to that he had earned, and began to loan money and change notes. In 1853, he came to Midway and soon bought the farm on which he now resides, turning his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1866, his present residence was erected. It was built of brick burned on his place in the first kiln erected in the vicinity of Midway.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Koontz were born two children. The elder, Philip D., was born in Danville, April 21, 1849. He acquired his education in the Ohio Wesleyan University of Delaware and in Yellow Springs, and began teaching at the age of twenty-three. He afterward went as a teacher to Texas, where he married Emmen Marrs, December 24, 1872. Two children graced their union: Osa W., born in Midway, January 30, 1874, and Enola Glenn, born in Midway, May 2, 1875. Their mother died October 18, 1876, and Philip Koontz was again married, May 2, 1881, his second union being with Miss Fannie L. Orebaugh, of Washington C. H., a native of Greenfield, Ohio. They have three children, all born in Texas: Texie Belle, born in Williamson County, March 23, 1882; Carla Serena, born February 14, 1884, and Ernest Samuel, born January 16, 1886. Philip Koontz is a stock-dealer and farmer, having eighteen hundred acres of land which was given him by his father. He is a prominent citizen of this community and favorably known. Alice Virginia, the only daughter of our subject, was born in Danville, September 8, 1851, acquired a good education in the Female Seminary of Hillsboro and engagted in teaching one term. She is now the wife of John M. Stroupe, a merchant of Midway; they have one son, Ogan K., born February 5, 1882.
Since casting his Presidential vote in 1848, Mr. Koontz has supported the Democratic party. He served as Township Clerk for a number of years, was Justice of the Peace for nine consecutive years, and of the cases which he tried none of his decisions were ever reversed. Mr. Koontz is now living retired, resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his toil. His life has been very successful, and as the result of his industry he has acquired a handsome property.
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