William V. Tunis

Biographical and Genealogical History of Morris County New Jersey. Illustrated. Vol. II., Lewis Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1899.

A well know resident of East Madison, Mr. Tunis is a man of resolute purpose and energy, conducting a carriage-making establishment and being numbered among the leading business men of the place. At an early period in the history of the country his people located within its borders. His grandparents, William and Sybil Tunis, lived in Whippany, and the former carried on agricultural pursuits. He was member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was widely and favorably known in the community. His children were Joseph M., Charles W., Phoebe, Maria, Jane and William Whitfield.

The parents of our subject were William Whitfield and Sarah (Shauger) Tunis, natives of Whippany. The father engaged in farming as a life work, and his well directed efforts enabled him to provide a comfortable home for his family. He had nine children, namely: Captain Edward C.; Phoebe J.; Eliza A., wife of J.W. Dey; Harriet N., wife of Hudson Kitchel; Josephine L., wife of Rev. N. Vansant; Maria E.; William V. Tunis; Henry W., who married Carrie Cooper; and Emma J., wife of Henry Young. The first named, Captain Edward C. Tunis, removed to Illinois before the war and engaged for clerking there for a time. Afterward he went to Iowa, where he purchased land and made his home until the breaking out of the war, when, in 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Second Iowa Regiment, serving for three years. His bravery and meritorious conduct won him promotion to the rank of captain. He served in a number of engagements, including Fort Donelson, Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg and the march to the sea under Sherman.

After the close of the war he returned to the place of his nativity and for some years resided on the old homestead. In 1883 he was appointed postmaster of East Madison, which position he acceptably filled for four years. Later he engaged in business in Newark, and finally died on January, 1893. Captain Tunis was a single man. His mother died April 30, 1879.

William V. Tunis, after completing his education, learned the trade of carriage-making, which he was ever since followed. He was first engaged in business in Boonton, and thence removed to East Madison, where he is now at the head of one of the leading industrial concerns of the town. Indolence forms no part of his nature, and his work has that steadiness and thoroughness which always insure success.

In March, 1870, Mr. Tunis was united in marriage to Miss Emily Barnard, a native of Syracuse, Nw York, and a daughter of Warner and Catherine (Rouse ) Barnard. There home has been blessed by the presence of six children, as follows: William W., who married Jennie Beekman; Harriet N., wife of Charles H. Genung; Grace B.; Elmer V.; Edward Harland; and Irving Whitfield.

Socially Mr. Tunis is a member of the Junior Order of Master Mechanics. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, but is content faithfully to discharge his duties of citizenship without the reward of public office. He has always lived in this locality, and his name in synonymous with honorable dealing in all walks of life.

Transcribed by Christopher Cresta

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