Person:John Shontz (2)

JOHN SHONTZ, proprietor of steam flouring-mill, Bloomville, was born in 18 23, in Stark CO OH. His father, Henry Shontz, of Bedford CO Pa, was marri ed to Sarah Williard, of Armstrong CO Pa, and moved to Stark CO OH, in 182 3, thence to Jackson Twp this CO in 1834, where they resided the remaind er of their lives. Mr. Shontz died in 1871, aged eighty-two, his wife havi ng preceded him in 1865, at the age of sixty-six years. Of their nine chil dren our subject is the fourth. He married, December 16, 1847, Miss Rebec ca Rinebold/Rinebolt, of Loudon Twp this CO and to this union were born seven child ren, now living: Mrs. Melissa Smith, Elias, Alpheus J, Mrs. Angeline Hartl ine, Neri, Arie and Lucinda. Mr. Shontz united with the German Baptist Chu rch September 30, 1849; was elected to the office of deacon May 22, 185 9; chosen to the ministry October 1, 1860, and advanced to the second degr ee of the ministry September 22, 1874. During this time he, preached in se veral of the surrounding counties, having his home, however, located in t he portage district until November 10, 1861, when he was stationed at t he Seneca Church near Bloomville, and at that time moved on his farm we st of Bloomville. In June, 1878, he and his son purchased the Koller Mil l, N of Bloomville, which they operated until the fall of 1879, when th ey built a large mill in Bloomville, the only grist and flouringmill in t he Twp and which they are now conducting, enjoying a very extensive custom .