Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1925-03-20

ultimate recovery, yet when the new
reached Woodstock early Monday
morning that he was dead at the home
OF his daughter, Mrs. Wilkie C. Rohr
in Philadelphia, the community was
shocked at the news, for there hac
been no tidings from the bedside te
Indicate that dissolution was SO neal
at hand.
The reacIIon to the shock was sad
ness and sympathy which touched
the hearts of the humbIest citizen as
well as those in more favored walks in
life, for Capt. Koontz possessed a per.
sonality which made and kept friend.
ships which were not circumscribed by
class or creed. To the needy his purse
was never closed, and want was the
open sesame to a heart filled with
generous impulses. With his associ.
ates he was man whose ripe expert
ences and honorable career were q
benediction. To his friends hewas
unfaltering in his allegiance and to his
enemies he showed a charitableness
which robbed enmity of its sting.
Like other men, he may have hac
his faults but these were so insignifi
cant when measured by his virtues
that his life is worthy of emulation by
those who seek TO attain higher type
OF citizenship, and hope to live so thai
the world were better for their living
No man in Shenandoah County was
better known, none was more univers.
a ally respected and few were closer tc
the hearts of the people than Captain
Koontz, and his death at the ripe age
OF Sc years takes from the stage upon
which we play our parts one whose
life has left an indelible impress for
good upon the history of the County,
and one who will be missed from the
circles in which he moved.
AS youth he cultivated the things
upon which his splendid life was build.
ed. As soldier of the Confederacy
he served throughout the war in the
legions of Lee, and saw the Stars and
Bars furled forever at Appomattox. AS
an official his faithfulness to his trust
reaped its reward in thirty years of
continuous service as County Treasur-
er. In his home life he was gentle,
kind, and considerate aud to those who
bear his name the irreperable loss OF an
father comes with pecu-
liar sadness, a sadness which will find
some recompense in the heartfelt SYM
pathy of an entire County in their hour
of trial.
He was the son Of William j., and
Ann Elizabeth Koontz (nee Grands,afG
and his forebears were among Il e
first settlers OF the Valley. As a 10y
he went to Highland county where he
was engaged in the mercantile bust
ness. At the outbreak of the Civil
War he enlisted in the Confederate
army in Highland county, later joining
Rice's battery which was composed of
New Market men.
Capt. Koontz's command participated
in the Valley campaigns and also in the
army of Northern Virginia in the fight
ing around Richmond The remnant
of this famous battery was among the
troops surrendering at Appomattox.
During the progress of the war Captain
Koontz, was promoted from private TO
lieutenant.
The war ended, Captain Koontz re-
turned TO Highland county, and later
came back to Shenandoah county when
for several years he conducted store
in Mt. jackson. For several years he
conducted a mill in Edinburg.
Captain Koontz was elected Treas.
urer Of Shenandoah County, assuming
the duties Of the office on January /,
lisa He was reelected, and served
in The office for thirty consecutive
|years retiring when succeeded by j. G
Hutchinson of Edinburg.
/ At New Market on December 6, 1877
he married Miss Mary T. Newman
daughter of Walter and Caroline New
man. His wife died Sept. Is, 1915.
Since his retirement from offic,
Capt. Koontz had devoted himself t.
his personal affairs, and for time h
Engaged in farming near Woodstock
Until recently he was very active an
took keen interest in passing events
He was one of the oldest Masons i
the County having transferred his mem
bership from the Edinburg Lodge t
Cassia Lodge in Woodstock in 1876.
| He is survived by three daughter:
Mrs Wilbur L. Newman. of Woodstock
Mrs. Dunbar P Magruder, of Gulfpor
Miss, and Mrs. Wilkie G. Rohr, {
philadelphia, and five sons, Kennel
X. Koontz. of Woodstock, DR. G. Ec
Koontz, of Salem, Milton S. Koontz, {
Norfolk, Lester N. Koontz, of Phils
delphia and William w. Koontz, {
Washington. He is also survived b
a sister, Mrs. Nellie McCanH, of Edir
| burg.
| The body was brought to Woodstoc
ION Tuesday evening and taken to tn
home of his daughter, Mrs. Wilbur |
Newman. Wednesday afternoon, wit
Woodstock Commandery, Knights Ten
plar, Cassia Lodge, A F. & A. M
Masons from Edinburg, Mt. jackson
New Market, Strasburg Toms Broo
and Harrisonbnrg as escorts the RI
mains we're taken to the Methods
Church where brief services were col
Quoted by Rev. w D. Keene, his pa
tor. The church was filled with reli
tives and friends. am ong them being
little remnant of that gallant band VII
served with Capt. Koontz in The Civ
War. The floral remembrance WEI
varied. many and beautiful, man
OF the tributes coming from out
town. The services at the grave wei
conducted by the Masons, and buri
was in Massanutten Cemetery.