Jacob Smith Gunther

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Jacob Smith Gunther

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

Jacob Smith GUNTHER, proprietor of a general supply and repair shop and of an automobile garage, is a native of Mendham and here has maintained his home during practically the entire period of his lifetime thus far. He was born September 18, 1862, son of John Henry and Eliza (SMITH) GUNTHER. The former of German birth and the latter a native of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The father grew up and was educated in Germany and came thence to America in 1853, at the age of seventeen years. He followed the trades of cabinetmaker and carpenter during a long period of his active career and then opened a shop for the repair of wagons and vehicles of all kinds. The latter business was purchased by his son, Jacob S., of this notice, fully twenty years ago and is now a thriving condition. John Henry GUNTHER retired from the cares of an active business life in 1911 and is enjoying to the full the fruits of former years of constant toil and endeavor. He enjoys good health and retains in much of their pristine vigor the splendid faculties of his prime. His wife is now deceased; they were deeply beloved by their numerous friends and acquaintances. They were the parents of the following children: George, Jacob Smith, Charles, Harry, Elizabeth, wife of George THOMPSON; Margaret, wife of John ROY; Edward.

A thorough public school education, completed at the age of sixteen years, was the youthful allotment of Jacob S. GUNTHER. He then began to learn the trade of carriage-maker in his father’s shop and for the three succeeding years followed work of that nature in different shops. In 1893 he purchased the business established by his father and now conducts a general shop, in which all kinds of wagons, buggies and vehicles are repaired and painted. In 1912 he and his brother George opened up a garage in Mendham and in this connection they control a fine business. Mr. GUNTHER owns the building in which the garage is located and has a fine residence property in Mendham. His entire business career has been characterized by close application to the work at hand and by strictly honorable methods. He is a Democrat in his political opinions and for twelve years – from 1887 to 1899 – served as clerk of Mendham township. He is now a valued and influential member of the local school board, and in religious faith is a zealous Presbyterian. His fraternal connections are with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is popular amongst his fellow citizens and the list of his personal friends is coincident with that of his acquaintances.

Mr. GUNTHER married Nancy Emma BURD in the year 1892. She was born at Somerville, New Jersey, daughter of James K. and Julia (APGAR) BURD, the former a blacksmith by trade and a prominent resident of Somerville. Mrs. GUNTHER has a brother, James K. Jr.; and a sister, Lulu H., who is the wife of John F. DRAKE. Four children constitute the GUNTHER family, namely: Eunice, Walter, Julia, James.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)