The Hunziker family of Switzerland originates from the hamlet of Hunziken in the municipality of Geuensee in Sursee district. This is attested to as early as 1361 in the neighboring municipality of Sursee, where Ulrich was a chief magistrate (Schultheissen (1) ) in 1451. In the fourteenth century, the Hunziker family also lived in Etzelwil and Wetzwil, both in the municipality of Schlierbach. Later, they settled beyond the valley of the Suhr in the districts of Aargau (2) and Willisau as early as 1561 and in Lucerne as early as 1589. In the municipality of Aarau (3), Hans, the family patriarch, is mentioned in the early sixteenth century. Hans and his son Niklaus quickly rose in social status to the city's upper class. Niklaus was a member of the Tribunal (1547) and City Council (1566). Niklaus's brothers were successively City Recorders and his son, following his namesake, was the first chief magistrate of the family, in charge from 1600 to 1627. During the seventeenth century, the various branches of the family regularly provided chief magistates, counselors[attorneys], and pastors. Hartman Hunsaker born ca 1695 appears to be the first Hunsaker in America, arriving in Philadelphia PA in 1731 on the ship Pennsylvania Merchant with his wife, Anna and their six children. It is believed Hartman was from Aarau in the Canton of Aargau, Switzerland, and that he fled via the Palatinate, Netherlands and England, before arriving in PA.
Working in various professions, some Hunzikers distinguished themselves, most notably in industry and trade. Their numbers grew rapidly in the eighteenth century. The family played an important role in founding the textile industry of the region. Around 1780, Johann Jakob established a textile trade in Aarau where in 1821 he built the famous textile factory Stadtbach, which building still exists today. His grandson Guido Ulrich left the company in 1873. Branches of the family are present in many municipalities.
Notes:
- A "Schultheissen" is a chief magistrate of a free imperial city or canton of Switzerland. In Switzerland, the Schultheiss was the head of a municipality (akin to today's office of mayor), a Vogt or an executive official of the ruler. As official (villicus) it was his duty to order his assigned village or county (villicatio) to pay the taxes and perform the services due to the ruler. The name "Schultheiß" originates from this function: "Schuld" (debt) and "heißen" (to order).
- Aargau is one of the more northerly cantons of Switzerland. It comprises the lower course of the river Aare, which is why the canton is called Aargau (meaning Aare district).
- Aarau is the capital of the northern Swiss canton of Aargau. The city is also the capital of the district of Aarau. It is German-speaking and predominantly Protestant. Aarau is situated on the Swiss plateau, in the valley of the Aar, on the river's right bank, and at the southern foot of the Jura mountains.
Sources:
- W. Merz, Wappenbuch der Stadt Aarau, 1917, 131-134
- Schweiz. Geschlechterbuch 7, 783-791
- R.G. Oehler, Die H. von Aarau, 1962, (mit Stammtaf.)
- Dominik Sauerländer,
http://hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/d/D20447.php
Translated by Doran Wilde - http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com
Hunzkiker Family Lineage: Descendancy chart of family patriarch Hans Hunziker
