| SAMUEL
C. KOONCE, of Clarksville, Mercer County, still resides on the old
homestead established by his father in 1844. It is picturesquely
located on the village heights and commands a grand view for many miles
in all directions and the homestead itself is appropriately named
“Shady Grove.” Mr. Koonce’s life history is full of variety and
interest and covers active and prominent work in agricultural and
public affairs. Me was born near the residence which he now occupies,
September 29. 1840, son of Charles and Hannah (Haywood) Koonce. The
father, Charles, was a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, born
July 9, 1806, and came with his parents to Mercer county, where he
spent the early portion of his life in agricultural pursuits. He was
subsequently identified in mercantile pursuits, and in speculation in
coal lands, in which he was very successful. In 1835 he was appointed
postmaster at Clark, under Gen. Jackson’s second administration. He
filled the office of justice of the peace for two terms of five years
each. He was married, February 25. 1834, to Miss Hannah Haywood, by
whom he had six children: Emily, Sarah, William H., Samuel C., Cyntha
A., and Alfred H. His wife died in May, 1845. He was married
again, in 1846, to Miss Rachel Vernon, to whom was born one child,
Rachel V., now Mrs. G. W. Phillips, of Clarksville. His second wife
died in May, 1847. He was again married, to the widow of David
Thompson, of Hickory township. In 1863 he was elected a representative
in the legislature, and was re-elected in 1864, which duties he
discharged with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents.
During the Civil war he was a stanch supporter of Union principles and
ably supported the administration. Politically, he was a Democrat until
the breaking out of the war, after which he became identified with the
Republican party. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church for forty
years. He died September 17, 1880, in his seventy-fifth year and his
widow followed him four years later. Samuel C. Koonce remained at home during the early years of his life, first obtaining his education at the public schools and at the Clarksville Academy. For several years he was then a student at Duff’s Commercial College at Pittsburg and the Westminster College at New Wilmington. In the fall of 186i he enlisted at Clarksville for service in the Union army. After remaining in the ranks for a time he was elected lieutenant of Company I, Sixty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer infantry, and during the winter of the following year was in command of his men, who were stationed near Alexandria, Virginia. In the spring of 1862 he was promoted to be assistant paymaster, but resigned after six months of service in this position. In 1863 he returned to his home in Clarksville, but re-entered the service as a private in Company I, Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Infantry, and served under Captain Vincent at Parkersburg, West Virginia. This concluded his service for the Union. After his return from the front Mr. Koonce became a merchant of Clarksville, where he remained for twelve years. In May, 1867, he had been appointed postmaster and filled the position until June, 1875, when failing health compelled him to resign the postmastership and spend one year in Colorado. Returning from the west with improved health, he was called upon to settle his father’s estate and later built the old grist mill at Clarksville, which he retained until 1907. He also became a stockholder and director of the Sharon Savings Bank and has retained his identification with that institution for thirty years. He is now [1909], however, virtually retired from all active business, his circumstances being such that he can both enjoy life and also give his time to the welfare of his associates and to the development of worthy public enterprises. Mr. Koonce’s politics have always been Republican and he has filled numerous positions of trust both of the county and of national importance. He has served as chairman of the Republican county committee, has been delegate to both state and national conventions and for two terms has been a member of the state central committee. He is now a member of the general assembly. He is not only an able man but one of deep family affection and abiding patriotism. Among the family treasures which he perhaps most values is a portrait of his father painted by the famous Chicago artist, Brooks. As it is life-size and his father was a man who stood six feet and two inches, the painting itself occupies the entire wall from floor to ceiling. Of his other interesting mementoes may also be mentioned a paper which has real historic value. During the first year of the war Mr. Koonce enjoyed a personal interview with President Lincoln, and trusting to the friendship then formed, called again at the White House in 1864. His object in making the visit was to obtain a pass enabling him to go to the front immediately after the bloody battles of the Wilderness. But his request was refused by Stanton, the bluff secretary of war. Not discouraged, he finally obtained another interview with Lincoln with the result that the great and good president favored him with the desired pass, the wording of which is as follows: "Pass S. C. Koonce, the bearer, through Potomac army, he being a loyal citizen of the U. S—A. Lincoln.” On September 12, 1865, Mr. Koonce wedded Amanda F. Black, who was a daughter of A. M. Black, D. D., of Monmouth, Illinois. Dr. Black was born in the county Down, Ireland, about 1813, and died in his ninety-first year. He was but six years of age when he first saw American soil. Here he received a finished education and was an ambitious youth, who educated himself. He was president of Franklin College in Harrison county, Ohio, and was vice president of Monmouth College, of Monmouth, Illinois. He was prominently identified with educational interests of the state of Illinois. His daughter, Mrs. Koonce, is a graduate of Westminster College, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and was also instructed in music. Mr. and Mrs. Koonce are consistent members of the Presbyterian church at Clarksville, and he was an elder for years. He is a charter member of the Clarksville Grand Army Post, No. 557, was twice commander and at present is quartermaster. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity at Clarksville. Twentieth Century History of Mercer County, 1909, pages 752-754  SAMUEL C. KOONCE, farmer, post-office Clark, is about forty-five years old. His father, Charles Koonce, was born in Bedford County, PA, July 9, 1808, where he obtained such educational advantages as could be secured at the common schools of that day. In 1808 he came with his parents to Mercer County. By strict application he acquired a fund of general information which qualified him for the various positions of trust and honor which he so efficiently filled. The early portion of his life was spent in agricultural pursuits. He was subsequently identified in mercantile pursuits, and in speculation in coal lands, in which he was very successful. In 1835 he was appointed postmaster at Clark, under Gen. Jackson’s second administration. He filled the office of justice of the peace for two terms of five years each. He was married February 25, 1834, to Miss Hannah Haywood, by whom he had six children: Emily, Sarah, William H., Samuel C., Cyntha A., and Alfred H. His wife died in May 1845. He was married again, in 1846, to Miss Rachel Vernon, to whom was born one child, Rachel V., now Mrs. G.W. Phillips, of Clarksville. His second wife, died in May 1847. He was again married, to the widow of David Thompson, of Hickory Township. In 1863 he was elected a representative in the Legislature, and was re-elected in 1864, which duties he discharged with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. During the late war he was a stanch supporter of Union principles, and ably supported the administration in its efforts to crush our the Rebellion. He always led an active and industrious life. Politically he was a Democrat until the breaking out of the late war, after which he became identified with the Republican party. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church about forty years. He died September 17, 1880, in his seventy-fifth year. His widow died in 1884. Samuel C., our subject, remained at home during his early years, obtaining an education at the public schools and at the academy at Clarksville. He graduated at Duff’s Commercial College in Pittsburgh in 1860, after which he attended Westminster College at New Wilmington for two years. He spent one year in the service of his country in the late war as private, lieutenant and assistant paymaster. In 1864 he entered into mercantile business in Clarksville, where he remained for twelve years. He was married September 12, 1865, to Miss Amanda E., daughter of A.M. Black, D.D., of Monmouth, IL. They are living on the old homestead on which he was born. He was appointed postmaster at Clark May 30, 1867, which office he filled till June, 1875, when, on account of failing health, he resigned the official position and went west, and spent about a year in Colorado. Politically he is a Republican, and has filled numerous positions of trust in the party. He was chairman of the Republican County Committee, and has been State and National delegate to the Republican Conventions, and was a member of the State Central Committee two terms. History of Mercer County, 1888 page 908-909; Transcribed and Submitted by Janet Stanko |