From "Standard History of Adams & Wells Counties, Indiana," Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1918, pp. 475-6.

THOMAS H. KOONTZ graduated from the Bluffton High School thirty years ago, took up the trade of carpenter, and now for many years has been one of the leading contractors and builders of Wells County. He is also widely known over the county because of his former service as city clerk.

Mr. Koontz was born at Columbia City, Indiana, September 5, 1869, a son of O. P. and Catherine S. (Bitner) Koontz. His father was born at Canton, Ohio, August 8, 1835, and grew up in his native state and received a liberal education, having attended Mount Union College at Alliance. In 1854, he came to Whitley, Indiana, locating at South Whitley. He was living there when the war broke out and in 1861 he enlisted in Company E of the Forty-fourth Indiana infantry, and saw active service until the close of the struggle, coming out with the rank of captain of his company. He then returned to South Whitley, and soon afterwards was elected sheriff of the county, filling that position four years. He was a very successful educator, having taught in the schools of Whitley County seven years, part of the time being principal of the school at Larwill and at Coesse. In March, 1878, he removed to Bluffton and for two years taught in the Central school building of that city. Later he entered merchandising and finally became a contractor, a line of business which he followed until his death in 1908. He was a democrat in politics, a member of the Baptist Church and a charter member of Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias. He and his wife were married in Whitley County in 1858. Of their children two are still living, Morris B. and Thomas H. The former is a carpenter at Kansas City, Missouri.

Thomas H. Koontz was nine years of age when the family removed to Bluffton and he grew up there, attending the public schools. He graduated from high school with the class of 1886 and at once began learning the carpenter's trade. He used that trade as a basis for an independent business career as a building contractor, and has handled many important contracts all over Wells County.

September 18, 1899, Mr. Koontz married Miss May Crewell, daughter of Eli Crewell. They have one daughter, Catherine H., born September 28, 1905.

Mr. Koontz is affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias, with Bluffton Lodge No. 145, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, being worshipful master of the lodge, and he and his wife are both active in Crescent Chapter No. 48, Order of the Eastern Star, he serving as worthy patron and his wife as worthy matron at the present writing. Politically Mr. Koontz has been very active in the democratic party. He was elected and filled the office of city clerk at Bluffton four years, from 1898 to 1902.

[poster is not related to this family and has no further information]