David B. Schantz

The family of which David B. Schantz, of Braeburn, is a representative was founded in this country by Jacob Schantz, a native of Switzerland, where he was born about 1710. In 1737 he emigrated to Pennsylvania and for some years lived in Germantown, removing in 1745 to Montgomery county. The name of his wife is not known.

Isaac Schantz, son of Jacob Schantz, was born January 14, 1748, in Montgomery county, and married, May 4, 1774, Barbara Ruff, born September 12, 1753. Their children were: Mary, Abraham, see forward; Christian, Jacob, Isaac, David, Veronica, Samuel and Joseph. Isaac Schantz, the father, died October 11, 1802, on a farm which now forms part of the site of Pottstown.

Abraham Schantz, son of Isaac and Barbara (Ruff) Schantz, was born in Westmoreland county, December 15, 1776, and for some years resided in Canada. Later he moved to Harmony, Butler county, Pennsylvania, not far from Pittsburg, and there passed the remainder of his life. He married Allis Hunsburger, born January 20, 1775. Their children were: Moses H., Aaron, Catharine, Isaac, Elizabeth, Lena, Amos, Mary, David, sec forward: and Nancy. The mother of these children died August 27, 1821, and her husband survived her many years, passing away December 25, 1856, at Harmony, Butler county.

David Schantz (4), son of Abraham (3), and Allis (Hunsburger) Schantz, was born August 16, 1818, and married, October 13, 1839, Mary Boyer, born August 31, 1822. Their children were: Henry B., Jacob B., Sarah Elenor B., Abraham B., John B., David B., see forward; Amos B., Catharine B., Mary B., Eli B., Martha B., and Elizabeth B. The death of the mother of the family occurred March 3, 1878, and on March 4, 1883, Mr. Schantz married Catharine Lutz.

David B. Schantz, son of David and Mary (Boyer) Schantz was born May 25, 1851, at Harmony, Butler county, where he was educated in the common schools. Until the age of nineteen he worked on a farm, and then went to learn the carpenter's trade with Emanuel Foreman of Ohio, remaining three years. He then returned to Butler county and went into business for himself as a contractor and builder, moving after eighteen months to Harmony where he continued the business for one year. After spending six months in Livingston county, Illinois, he once more sought his native place and there remained five years. For six years he continued his business in Tarentum and for two years in Duquesne, after which he returned for the third time to Harmony, remaining seven years. In 1897 he moved to Braeburn, where he has since resided and conducted his business. During the whole course of his career as a contractor and builder he has erected over one thousand houses, building seventy of these in one year. He has filled a number of township offices. In May, 1898, he was appointed postmaster of Braeburn under the McKinley administration, and has held the office ever since. His political views and principles are staunchly Republican. He is a member of the Church of God. He married Julia Schaffer, and their children were: Dora, wife of Harry G. Boggs, of Braeburn; Josephine, wife of Ernest Chambordon; Mary; and Miles P., both of whom died in childhood. The death of Mrs. Schantz occurred November 13, 1881, her age being twenty-two years and seven months. Mr. Schantz married, October 2, 1883, Emma Schaffer, who bore him two children: Dainie B. and Russell L., both of whom are at home. Mrs. Schantz died January 20, 1888, at the age of twenty-one, and Mr. Schantz subsequently married Emma Zoller, by whom he became the father of eight children: Odella R.; Elfreda C. David, died at the age of five years; Goldie B.; Catharine E.; Harold, died in infancy; Verna S.; and Theodore G. All these children are still at home.

John W. Jordan, ed. History of Westmoreland County Pennsylvania Genealogical Memoirs, vol. II. New York: Lewis Publishing Co., pp. 385-386.

Submitted by Nancy.