William A. Koontz
William A. Koontz, banker, farmer and stock-raiser. Danville, was born in Rockingham County, W. Va., November 13, 1821. He was a son of Philip and Mary (Crumley) Koontz, the former of whom died in 1825, and the latter at Fort Scott, Kan., September 7, 1877. Our subject, being left fatherless at the tender age of four years, had few educational privileges. He early began life for himself, and in all of his undertakings he has been eminently successful. He now owns nearly 1,500 acres of land in tracts of different size, in the States of Texas, Illinois, Nevada, Missouri and Kansas, and a fine farm of 535 acres in this township, on which he resides. On April 5, 1848, he married Louisa Counts, whose father was born in Rockingham County, W. Va., and died January 22, 1873, aged ninety-four, and whose mother emigrated from England when a girl, and died April 2, 1867, aged nearly seventy-seven. They settled in this county and were among its earliest settlers. Mrs. Koonts was one of a family of thirteen children, of whom six now survive, viz.: Mary, wife of Frank Thompson; Joseph; Christina, wife of James Williamson; Louisa, Daniel A. and Levi. Mr. Koontz by his marriage has two children, viz.: Alice V., born September 8, 1857, and married John Stroup June 26, 1877; and Philip, born April 21, 1849, married Emma Marrs, who died and he married Fannie Orbaugh. Mr. Koontz resides in a spacious and comfortable residence, and now gives some attention to discounting notes, cashing checks and doing other legitimate banking business.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]