Prof. John R. Hunzicker, A. M., principal of the North Ionia street school at Grand Rapids, Mich., was born in Watertown, Jefferson county, Wis., February 6, 1867, the second of the family of five children born to John and Katherine (Vingar) Hunzicker, natives of Pennsylvania. John Hunzicker was born in Reading, was there married in 1852, and with his wife emigrated to Watertown, Wis., where he was engaged in contracting until 1892, when he removed to Detroit, Mich., where he and wife still reside. The remaining four children, beside the professor, born to this venerated couple, were named, in order of birth, William, who has passed away; Mary, wife of Charles Asam, of Detroit; Lizzie, still with her parents, and Walter, a rattan worker, also living in Detroit.

Prof. John R. Hunzicker was educated primarily in the public schools of Watertown, Wis., and then attended Wartburg college, at Waverly, Iowa, for the purpose of perfecting himself in the German language, of the teaching of which he has since made a specialty. After graduating from Wartburg college, Prof Hunzicker taught, at Detroit, a German-American school founded by himself and Prof. P. H. Haber, but at the expiration of two years’ time this school, from lack of proper financial support, was transferred to the church of the Holy Cross. Prof. Hunzicker then went to Siginaw, Mich., as principal of the Fifteenth ward school, of which he had charge for eleven years, and then, in September, 1898, came to Grand Rapids to assume the duties of his present responsible position.

The marriage of Prof. Hunzicker was solemnized in Detroit, April 7, 1889, with Miss Anna Virgin, who was born in Port Huron, Mich., a daughter of John Virgin, a well known contractor and builder, and this marriage has been blessed with three children, viz: Alfred, now (December, 1899) aged eight years; Leah, aged five years, and Dorothy, still an infant.

Fraternally, Prof. Hunzicker is a member of Joppa chapter, No. 63, F. & A. M., at Saginaw, Mich. He is recognized as an educator of extraordinary merit, and he has the satisfaction of knowing that, since the age of seven years, when he was placed at school among entire strangers, he has paid his way for his education, even through college, without any extraneous pecuniary assistance. He and wife enjoy the esteem of the best circle in Grand Rapids, and well deserve it.