Biography of Isaac Gunsenhouser, pages 774/775/776.  History of DeKalb 
County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, 1914.



Isaac Gunsenhouser



	Throughout an active and interesting career duty has ever been 
the motive of action of Isaac Gunsenhouser, one of the progressive 
agriculturists of Stafford township, DeKalb county, and usefullness to 
his fellowmen has not been by any means a secondary consideration.   He 
has  performed well his part in life, and it is a compliment worthily 
bestowed to say that this locality is honored in his citizenship, for 
he has achieved definite success through his efforts and is thoroughly 
deserving of proud American title of self-made man, the term being one 
that, in its better sense, cannot but appeal to the loyal admiration of 
all who are appreciative of our national institutions and the 
privileges afforded for  individual accomplishment.  It is a privilege, 
ever gratifying, in this day and age, to meet a man who has the courage 
to face the battle of life with a strong heart and steady hand and to 
win the stern conflict by bringing to bear only those forces with which 
nature has equipped him, self-reliance, self-respect and integrity.

	Isaac Gunsenhouser is a native of the county now honored by his 
citizenship, he having been born in Stafford township on March 9, 1838, 
and was the son of John J. and Mary Elizabeth (Strole) Gunsenhouser.  
John J. Gunsenhouser was born in Switzerland, and at the age of twelve 
years accompanied his parents on their removal to the United States, 
they first settling in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Sometime later Mr. 
Gunsenhouser removed to Summit county, Ohio, still later to DeKalb 
county, Indiana.  His wife, who was born and raised in Summit county, 
Ohio, was married to him there, and accompanied him to DeKalb county in 

1836.  They settled on a farm in Stafford township, where they spent 
the remainder of their lives.  They were the parents of eleven 
children, namely: Elizabeth, John, Mary Ann, Henry, Jacob, Isaac, Lola, 
Nancy, Sarah, George and William.

	Isaac Gunsenhouser received his education in the public schools 
and was reared to the life of a farmer, which vocation he followed for 
eleven years.  He then engaged in the saw-mill business in Newville 
township, which commanded his attention for twelve yeas, after which he 
cultivated land in that township for twelve years longer.  He then 
returned to Stafford township, locating on the old home farm where he 
now resides, and there took care of his parents until their death.  He 
is an up-to-date, progressive farmer, giving due attention to every 
detail of his work, and has been very successful in this vocation. In 
1905 his wife departed this life and he then arranged for his daughter 
and her husband to make their home with him, he retaining a life 
interest in the twenty-four acre farm.

	In 1860 Mr. Gunsenhouser married Roseana A. Dickerhoff, the 
daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Macobie) Dickerhoff, who were from 
Summit county, Ohio, and who were among the early settlers of DeKalb 
county.  To Mr. and Mrs. Gunsenhouser have been born two children, Mary 
E. and Inez, deceased.

	Politically, Mr. Gunsenhouser has always assumed a rather 
independent attitude, especially in local affairs, and has been elected 
by his fellow citizens to a number of prominent offices, in all of 
which he has discharged his duties to their entire satisfaction.  He 
served two terms as road supervisor of the township, two terms as 
schools director, twelve years as a justice of the peace, and in 1906 
was elected a member of the board of county commissioner, assuming his 
duties on the first Monday of December in that year.  At that time 
there was a general public impression that there had been some crooked 
work among the county officers, and in response to public sentiment Mr. 
Gunsenhouser, as commissioner, started an investigation. It developed 
that several past officials of the county were compelled to disgorge 
about thirty-two thousand dollars, which had been unlawfully taken from 
the county funds.  The only expense of this investigation was that of 
an expert accountant.  Fraternally, Mr. Gunsenhouser is a member of the 
Masonic order, in the workings of which he takes an appreciative 
interest.  His influence is always given to every movement having for 
its object the advancement of the best interests of the community, and 
among those who know him best he stands high, for his life has been 
square to every one that knew him, so ordering his course in all the 
relations of life as to command the respect and esteem of his 
fellowmen.



Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com