Peter Punches was the 5th child of Peter and Margaret (Hager) Punches.  His father, Peter Sr., was born about 1785 in Pennsylvania and is the earliest known ancestor in this family line.  He was first documented in Pickaway County, Ohio in 1811 when he married Margaret Hager. 

Peter Sr. lived among the Pontious families in Pickaway County but no connection to those families has been found.  Around 1831 he moved his family to Hancock County, Ohio, where it appears he lived for the rest of his life.  No grave has been found for either Peter Sr. or Margaret; they last appeared in the 1860 census. 

The Peter Punches, Jr. family settled mainly in Henry County, Ohio.