John Procuniar 1830-1863
A Thumbnail Biography by David C. Procuniar
Copyright 1997-1998-1999-2000-2001
All Rights Reserved Last updated: 31 Aug 2001 

John Procuniar, the son of Samuel Procuniar (1801-1880) & Catharine Miller (1808-1871); John was born on 07 Jul 1830 in Shirley Twp., Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, died on 20 Jun 1863 in Montgomery County, Dayton, Ohio.  John died during the early years of the Civil War but from what I found in my research he never served in the Civil War.  John married Sarah Elizabeth Wike between 1850-1851 in Montgomery County, Dayton, Ohio. (I could not find any recorded records of their marriage)  Sarah was born on 11 Jan 1836 in Probably Dublin Twp. Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, died on 11 Mar 1919 in Montgomery County, Dayton, Ohio at the age of 83, a widow for 56 years (never remarried)


Children: (2)
Minerva A. Procuniar born in 1852, died on 20 Nov 1875 
John Franklin Procuniar 1855-1918 

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John Procuniar was born on July 07, 1830 in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.  The son of Samuel (Bragunier) Procuniar and Catharine Miller.  His father Samuel was born in Washington Co, Maryland and his mother Catharine was born in Huntingdon County Pennsylvania.

John was only three years old when he, his older brother Isaac age five and sister Emaline who was just an infant (born on February 14 1833) along with his parents moved from Huntingdon County Pennsylvania to Dayton Ohio during the summer of 1833.

When John was 22 years old he married Sarah E. Wike, (Sarah was only 16 years old when she married), sometime in 1851 or 1852 in Montgomery County Ohio.  They had two children, Minerva born in 1852 & John Franklin born on January 28 1856 in Montgomery County Ohio.   On February 19, 1851 he & his wife Sarah bought Lot #3 in the town of Texas, Ohio, (Texas was located off Brandt Road/Pike in Mad River township, Dayton, Ohio; however John sold this lot to his mother on November 18, 1852 for $140.00).  In the Dayton Directory on page 165, John is listed as an "Inspector of Liquors" & resides at 23 Madison Ave. in 1862.  John died on June 20, 1863 (his obituray did not give his cause of death) & was buried in Woodland Cemetery in Dayton Ohio, (Lot 1263 Sec 75).  His wife Sarah E. Wike was born on January 11 1836 in Pennsylvania.  Her parents John Wike & Nancy Hess were both born in Pennsylvania also. Sarah's sister Catherine Wike signed Sarah's death certificate when she died on March 11 1919.  Sarah died of Influenza at the age of 83.

John was only 31 years & 11 months old when he died leaving Sarah with two small children.  Minerva was only eleven (11) and John Franklin was only seven (7) years old & Sarah was just 27 when John died.  Sarah raised her two children with the help from the other Procuniar clan.   Sarah lived to be 83 years old, a widower for 56 years.  Sarah & her two children resided at 224 Washington Avenue in 1873.  In 1874 John Franklin moved to the North West Corner of Ludlow & Franklin Streets & worked as a "Candy Maker" at 22 East Third Street.  Sarah & daughter Minerva moved to 18 Washington Street Apt #8 in 1875.  Minerva a Milliner was living at 18 Washington apt #8 in 1875 when she died of Phthisis.  Sarah was listed as a homemaker for the 56 years.  The Dayton City Directory indicates that Sarah took in borders to make a living!

The obituary in the June 21, 1863 Journal Herald did not say what John died of, just that he died Saturday morning at half past four o'clock.  Funeral service Sunday at 2 o'clock at the Raper Chapel on 5th Street.  Other than an Inspector of Liquors in 1862 John is listed as a farm laborer most of his life.

David Charles Procuniar   10/95



Main Source:
David C Procuniar 3598 Harry Truman Drive, Beavercreek, Ohio 45432

Other Sources: 
The Bragonier Family by Georgiana H. Randall 1969. 
The Bragunier Family in America by Brittian Bragunier Robinson 1969 
First Reformed Church of Hagerstown Maryland church records on LDS micro-film  

Note:
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Copyright 1997 David C. Procuniar … Reprinted with permission …