NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Biographical and Genealogical History of Morris County New Jersey. Illustrated. Vol. II., Lewis Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1899.

The present freeholder of the town of Mendham is a native of the Fatherland, his birth having occurred in Hessen-Darmstadt, on the 11th of October, 1836. His father, George GUNTHER, also a native of the same province, came to America in the latter part of the first half of the nineteenth century, and resided in New Jersey for a time, but spent his last days in Pennsylvania.

The subject of this review, the eldest in a family of seven children, was reared in Hessen-Darmstadt, and acquired his education in the school of his native land, where he remained until eighteen years of age, when he determined to seek a home in America, having heard very favorable reports of the country and the opportunities here afforded to young men who wished to advance in the world. Accordingly he bade adieu to home and friends and sailed for the United States in 1854, landing in New York city, September 22, of that year. For seven years thereafter he resided in Somerset county, New Jersey, and then came to Morris county, locating in Mendham, where he engaged in farming. To this industry he added, about the year 1871, carriage and wagon making and repairing. In his native land he had learned the trade of cabinet-making, and was also able to do all kinds of wood-working. His farm lies partly within the corporate limits of Mendham, and upon the property he also conducts a livery stable. His land is under a high state of cultivation and is improved with all the modern conveniences in the way of buildings and machinery. The place is neat and thrifty in appearance, and the owner is counted one of the progressive and practical agriculturists of the community, as well as one of the leading business men in other lines.

In the spring of 1894 Mr. GUNTHER was nominated by the Democracy of Mendham for the office of freeholder, was elected, and in the discharge of his duties was so efficient and faithful that he was renominated and again elected in 1897, so that he is now filling the office. He is a plain, unassuming man, free from ostentation, performing his duties in a quiet matter-of-fact way, and is always just what it seems,—a worthy and industrious citizen.

Mr. GUNTHER was married in Mendham, in 1859, to Miss Eliza, daughter of Jacob SMITH, and to them have been born seven children, namely:

• George,
• Jacob S.,
• Charles W.,
• Harry,
• Elizabeth,
• Retta and
• Edward.

Both, Mr. and Mrs. GUNTHER are members of the Second Presbyterian church, at Mendham. Mr. GUNTHER came to America with the hope of bettering his financial condition, and his hope in this regard has been realized, for as the result of his energy and perseverance he has acquired a comfortable competence and is accounted one of the leading citizens of the community.

This biography was scanned and contributed by Catherine Smith DeMayo.

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