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JOHN ADAM KNAPPENBERG FAMILY
OF NEW YORK STATE

UPDATED  12 June 2010


Johan Michael
(1709-1751)

i
Johan Henrich
(1744-1818)
i
John Adam
(1769-1830)
liiiiiiiim
Salome
"Sarah"
Katherine"

(1793-1884)
Maria Catherine
"Polly"

(1795-1879)
 Jacob
(1797-1866)
Johan.George
(1799-?)
Henry B.
(1803-1887)
 
i i     i
11 Children 6 Children 8 Children

 

Margaret
(1805-1891)
Joseph
(1808-1884)
Samuel
(1811-c1811)
Adam
(1811-c1860)

John
(1814-1873)

i
4 Children 3 Children

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

John Adam Knappenberg, son of J. Henry Knappenberger,  was born 1769 in Macungie Township, Northampton County (later Lehigh County), PA.  He died 1830 in Sparta, Livingston County, New York.   He married Mary Katherine MOYER, daughter of Leonard C. Moyer (Meier) and Magdalena Schmidt about 1792.  Mary Katherine was born about 1771 in Macungie Township, Northampton County, PA and died 10 July 1852 in Livingston County, New York.

John Adam moved his family to New York in 1808 and changed the spelling of the family name to KNAPPENBERG.

From Vinnie Knappenberger's 1916 family history we learn:
"John Adam was the eldest son of Henry Knappenberger ... In 1794 he married Mary Katherine Moyer and later with his wife and seven children, Jacob, Sarah, Mary, George, Margaret, Joseph and John, moved to Catervissa (sic), Pennsylvania and in August of 1808 to Danville, New York.  They had two wagons, two cows and four pigs.  Night and morning they milked the cows and the motion of the wagons churned the milk into butter.  They fed the buttermilk to the pigs.  After traveling two weeks, cooking and baking on the way, they reached Danville, a hamlet of seven small houses near where the 'Old Bank' building now stands.  All around was the wilderness.  June 3, 1809, the father, John Adam, and his eldest son, Jacob, went down the valley three miles and bought the farm, now known as 'Cascade Farm'.  On this land was a small log house.  Here for years until after the death of the father in 1830, they kept tavern, and here in 1836 they built the new house."

Henry Knappenberger, father-in-law of Mary Katherine, gave her a large German Bible.  At her death it went to her oldest child, presumable Sally Hartman.  Then the grandchild who could read German was to get it next.  It was given to Harriet Tousey Sanders of Nunda, New York around 1900.   Katherine Knappenberg (granddaughter of John Adam and Mary Katherine) gave a painting of this family Bible done by Teresa "Ressie" Knappenberg Baylor (great-granddaughter of John Adam and Mary Katherine) to hang in the chapel at Dansville in memory of the name Knappenberger.   

 

CHILDREN

SALOME "SARAH" KATHERINE KNAPPENBERGER (1793-1884) 

Salome "Sarah" Katherine was born 7 February 1793 in Northampton County, PA and died 27 March 1884 in North Dansville, Livingston County, New York.  Sarah married Jacob HARTMAN, son of Harmon Hartman and Mary Catherine Weaver about 1810 in Dansville, New York.  Jacob was born 1787 in Macungie Township, Northampton County, PA.  He died at the age of 44 on 22 October 1831 in Livingston County, New York.  Sarah lived past 90 years of age.  They are buried in Greenmount Cemetery, Dansville, Livingston Co., NY.   Sarah and Jacob had the following children.

1. Katherine (or Catherine) Hartman was born October 1812 in Sparta, New York and died between 1900-1910 in Livingston Co., NY.  She married Henry F. HARRISON, a blacksmith, about 1834.  Henry was born about 1806 in Massachusetts and died 28 Sept 1896 in Livingston Co., NY.   They had three children: 

a.  George F. Harrison was born about 1835 in Livingston Co., NY and died there on 1 Oct 1899.

b.  Mary Catherine Harrison was born April 1841 in Livingston Co., NY and died after 1900.  It seems likely that she never married.

c.  James H. Harrison was born about 1848 in Livingston Co., NY and died after 1900.

2. Mary Hartman known as "Polly"  was born about 1813 in Livingston County, New York and died 28 March 1897 in North Dansville, New York.  She first married Frederick HOUSE who was born about 1810 and died 1844.  As a widow, she then married William H. REYNALE, M.D., a widower, on 22 February 1852 in North Dansville, New York.  William was born 27 February 1794 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey and he died 7 August 1870 in Dansville, New York.  Polly had no children although Dr. Reynale had five children with his first wife, Harriet Palmer.

3. Frances Hartman was born in 1816 in Livingston County, New York and died 22 May 1887 there.  She married Orville TOUSEY about 1834 in North Dansville, New York.  Orville was born 2 April 1811 in Connecticut  and died 1 June 1867 in Dansville, Livingston Co., New York.  They are buried in Greenmount Cemetery, Dansville, New York.  Frances and Orville had seven children:  

a.  Alford B. Tousey was born 12 July 1835 in Livingston Co., NY and died there 24 Aug 1835.  He is buried in Greenmount Cemetery.

b.  Nancy "Jane" Tousey was born 14 September 1836 in Livingston Co., NY and died 23 Oct 1885 in Avoca, NY.  She married George Allen SANDERS on 8 Nov 1856.  George was born 26 Dec 1835 in Covington, New York and died 9 Oct 1910 in Utica, NY.  They had 3 children that are known:  

1).  Mitta Sanders born about 1857 in Livingston Co., NY.

2). William Reynale Sanders born 6 Aug 1863 in Livingston Co., NY and died 28 Jan 1928 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio.  He married Maybelle Haskin on 4 Nov 1886 in Avoca, NY.  May was born 15 Sept 1865 in Haskinville, NY and died sometime after 1930.   William and May had a son Cameron Haskin Sanders (5 Jan 1890-7 Oct 1988).  

3).  Lulu B. Sanders born about 1866 in New York.

c. Frederick H. Tousey was born 22 Oct 1837 in Livingston Co., NY and died 17 April 1842 there.  Buried in Greenmount Cemetery.

c. Sarah C. Tousey was born 10 April 1838 in Livingston County, NY and died 9 Sept 1901.   She married Major Azariah Conger BRUNDAGE, son of Abraham Brundage and Elizabeth Conger, on 18 Nov 1863.  Azariah was born 20 Jan 1837 in Steuben County, NY.   Azaraiah served in the Civil War.   They had two children:  Myron T. Brundage born 21 July 1866 and Elizabeth Frances Brundage born 2 Feb 1868.

 d.  Harriett E. Tousey was born 6 Nov 1841 in Livingston Co., NY.  She married C.K. SAUNDERS and had four children:  Harry Sanders (4 Oct 1862-3 July 1880), Fanny T. Sanders (19 July 1865), Chauncey K. Sanders (18 Oct 1876) and Walter B. Sanders (11 April 1878).

e. Grandison H. Tousey was born 21 March 1843 in Livingston County, NY and died 25 April 1884.  He served in the Civil War.  Grandison married Judith E. HECKMAN, daughter of Henry Heckman and Judith Smith, about 1868.  Judith was born about 1848 in New York.  They had four children: 

1).  Orville Heckman Tousey born June 1869 in Livingston Co., NY

2).  Henry A. Tousey born about 1871 in Livingston Co., NY and died 2 April 1901.  He married Sadie B. FRETTS who was born 5 Feb 1871 and died 1959.  She is buried in Greenmount Cemetery.

3).  Frank S. Tousey born about 1873 in Livingston Co., NY.

4).  Thomas E. Tousey born Nov 1877 in Livingston Co., NY.  He married Mary B. in 1908 who was born about 1884 in NY.  They had a son, Thomas Grandison Tousey born 23 Jan 1910 and died Aug 1975.

e.  Frances C. Tousey born Dec 1848 in Livingston Co., NY and died  10 May 1910 there.  She is buried in Greenmount Cemetery.

4. Harriet Hartman was born about 1817 in Livingston County, New York and died 1874 in North Dansville, New York.  She married Daniel INGERSOL about 1840.  He was born abut 1806 in Pennsylvania and died after 1870.   they had a daughter, Matilda Ingersoll born about 1836 in Livingston County, NY.   York.  They also "adopted" a daughter, Mary E. WALTAN who was born about 1857 in England.

5. Lydia A. Hartman was born about 1818 in Livingston County, New York.  She married Rev. Martin J. STOVER who was born about 1804 in New York.  they had five sons:

1).  Jacob Hartman Stover born 1838 and died 27 Aug 1840 in Montgomery Co., NY.  He is buried in Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery.

2).  James H. Stover born about 1840.

3.)  Martin L. Stover born about 1846 in  NY.  He served in the New York Assembly as well as a justice on the NY Supreme Court.

4).  George B. Stover was born abut 1849.

5).  Charles H. Stover born about 1851 in Montgomery County, NY.

6. Margaret Hartman was born about 1819 in Livingston Co., NY and died sometime after 1870.   She married Caleb P. EATON, a harness maker by trade.  He was born about 1815 in New York and died between 1860-1870.    They had eight children including: Charles  Eaton (born 1837), Mary Eaton (born about 1839), Sarah J. Eaton (born about 1840), James Eaton (born about 1842), Avery Eaton (born about 1847), Joseph Eaton (born about 1850), Catherine Eaton (born about 1852), Frances Eaton (born March 1855) and Rosa Eaton born about 1857. 

7. Allen M. Hartman was born about 1822 in Livingston County, New York.

8. James M. Hartman was born 1824 in Livingston County, New York and died 18 January 1854.   James was a stage driver.  He married Mary (maiden name unknown) who was born about 1829.   He is buried in Greenmount Cemetery.

9. Sarah Jane Hartman was born 1825 in North Dansville, New York and died 4 April 1897 in Detroit, Michigan.  Sarah married Samuel F. ILICK in 1844.  He was born October 1814 in Pennsylvania.   They had one daughter: Jennie E. Ilick (born October 1846 in New York).

10. Henry M. Hartman was born about 1827 in Livingston County, New York.

11. Andrew Jackson Hartman known as "Jack" was born 1830 in Livingston Co., NY and died 12 September 1880 .   He is buried in Greenmount Cemetery.

           

MARIA "POLLY"CATHERINE  KNAPPENBERG (1795-1879)

Maria "Polly" Catherine was born 7 February 1795 in Northampton County, PA and died 14 September 1879 in Dansville, Steuben Co., New York.  She married Philip KERSHNER, son of Philip Kershner and Christiana Ridenour, in 1814.  Philip was born 1784 in Washington Co.,  Maryland and died 12 October 1850 in Steuben  County, New York.  They had the following children.

1. Elizabeth M. Kershner was born 13 October 1815 in Livingston County, New York and died 14 May 1873 in New York.  She married Burr PECK who was born about 1807 in Connecticut and died between 1850 and 1860.  In the 1850 census, they were living in Baltimore, MD.   They had a son: Alfred J. Burr (born in 1834 in New York and died in 1873).   In the 1860 census, Elizabeth Burr and her son are living in Steuben Co., NY with her widowed mother.

2. Nathaniel D. Kershner was born 1817 in Livingston Co., NY and died 1844 in Steuben Co., NY.

3. Henry Adam Kershner was born 26 March 1820 in Steuben Co., NY and died there 24 August 1892.  He married Elizabeth A. OSBORNE who was born 1819 and died 29 January 1850 in Steuben Co., NY.  They had two children: William Henry Kershner and  Frances A. Kershner.  

Henry remarried to Maria SHUTT, daughter of Johannes Shutt and Christina Wilti in 1850.  Maria was born 26 Aug 1827 in Livingston Co., NY and died 25 June 1901 in Steuben County, NY.  They had two children:  Elizabeth Alvaretta Kershner and Robert Campbell Kershner.

a.  William Henry Kershner was born 18 May 1843 in Dansville, NY and died 13 March 1877.  He married Charlotte Lenora LOVE on 25 Sept 1867.  charlotte was born 26 Jan 1849 and died Sept 1913.  They had two children:   Benjamin Vale Kershner (7 June 1869 NY - 1933)  who married Mary "Maude" ALLEN (1 April 1869 DC - 23 Oct 1959) and Beatrice Elizabeth Kershner (11 Oct 1876 NY - 16 Aug 1899) who married Frederick E. SNOOK.   

b.  Frances A. Kershner was born 1845 in New York and died 1863.

c.  Elizabeth Alvaretta Kershner was born Dec 1850 in Steuben Co., NY and died sometime after 1930.  She married Frank WHALEY in 1875.  Frank was born May 1842 in NY and died in the 1920's in Livingston Co., NY.  They had 3 children:  Elizabeth L. Whaley (May 1876 NY) who married Elmer L. DUNN (Abt 1865 NY); Robert Henry Whaley (20 July 1880) who married Jetti (abt 1887 NY); and Edward Arnold Whaley (4 June 1884) who married Alice E. (abt 1889 NY).  

d.  Robert Campbell Kershner was born 22 April 1857 in Steuben Co., PA and died sometime after 1930.  He married Carrie ROBINSON, daughter of William H. Robinson and Sarah D. Owen, on 12 Jan 1881.  Carrie was born June 1859 in NY and died in the 1920's in Monroe County, NY.  They had a daughter:  Florence Marie Kershner (June 1882 NY) who married and divorced a Mr. Osler.

4. Joseph Kershner was born about 1821 in Livingston Co., NY.  Nothing further is known of him at this time.

5.  Mary C. Kershner was born in 1825 in Livingston Co., NY.  Nothing further is known of her at this time.

6. Benjamin F. Kershner was born 1829 in Livingston County, New York and died 1887 in Steuben Co., NY.  He married Eliza L. SOUTHMAYD who was born July 1831 in New York and died after 1920 most likely in Monroe County, New York.  They had three children: 

a.  Rosa A. Kershner was born 1856 in New York and died 1864 in Steuben Co., NY.

b.  Lilla Clare Kershner was born April 1866 in Steuben Co., NY and died after 1920 most likely in Monroe Co., New York.  She married Charles S. BROWNING who was born Nov 1865 in NY and died between 1910 and 1920 in Bay County, Michigan where they lived with his widowed mother, Jennie.  They had one son:  Harold Theodore Browning born Aug 1897.  In the 1900 and 1910 census they were living in Bay County, Michigan.

c.  Mamie Peck Kershner was born November 1868 in Steuben County, NY and died in 1957.  She married George Eugene Walter who was born Dec 1857 in PA and died between 1910 and 1920 in New York.  They had a daughter:  Ruth M. Walter born about 1906 in Livingston County, New York.


JACOB KNAPPENBERG (1797-1866)

Jacob was born 6 May 1797 in Northampton County, PA and died April 1866 in Dansville, Livingston County, New York.  From Vinnie Knappenberger's 1916 family history we learn,  "Jacob worked for his father until he was twenty-four years of age and he had two suits of clothes, an axe and four dollars in money.  Then he learned the wagon making trade.  He used to rim and spoke one set of wheels in eight and one-half hours while a man stood by and waited for which he received four dollars.  He worked late and early and paid board to his father.  When his father died, Jacob had four thousand dollars at interest.  After the death of the father, John Adam, the two sons, Jacob and Joseph, bought out the other heirs and owned the farm until 1879.  Jacob died April 1866, aged 68.  He had been an honest upright Christian.  Often he was heard to say, "If I ever wronged a man one dollar and he would tell me, I would restore him four-fold."  Jacob never married.


JOHAN GEORGE KNAPPENBERG (1799- ?)

Johan "George" was born 19 September 1799 in Northampton County, PA and was baptized at Trexlertown Union Church.  He moved with the family to New York state and there married a Miss s KENNEDY in 1827.   He is believed to have died in Michigan.  We know nothing further about this couple at this time.


HENRY B. KNAPPENBERG (1803-1887)


The Henry B. Knappenberg Homestead
West Sparta, New York
[photograph graciously provided by Douglas Morgan]

Henry B. was born 19 March 1803 in Northampton County, PA and died 30 May 1887 at the age of 85 in Dansville, Livingston County, New York.  Henry married Elizabeth M. SLAIGHT, daughter of John Slaight and Mary Marshall, on 11 June 1833 in Livingston County, New York.  Elizabeth was born 26 March 1813 in Groveland, Livingston County, New York and died 4 August 1873 in Livingston County, New York.   Henry was a farmer owning approximately 370 acres.   His obituary states, "He never held any important public office, but he was regarded by his neighbors as one of the noblest works of God."  Henry and Elizabeth had the following children.

1. Mary C. Knappenberg was born 31 March 1836 in Livingston County, New York and died during the 1860's.  She married James BEVIER who was born 11 Sept 1834 in Binghampton, NC.  They had one son:  

a.  Clarence Bevier was born about 1861 in Livingston County, NY.

2. Elizabeth A. Knappenberger was born 23 March 1837 in Livingston County, NY and died most likely between 1900 and 1910.  after 1900 there.  She was married three times. 

 Her first marriage was to a Mr. VAN DEVENTER. 

Her second marriage was to a Mr. BEVIER.  He died 1862-1868.  They had one son: 

a.  William Jackson Bevier was born 27 Dec 1862 in Ohio and died 28 August 1928 in Livingston County, New York.    William married Anna A. CRAWFORD, daughter of Robert Crawford and Betty Belle on 3 Aug 1893 in Perry, Wyoming County, New York.  Anna was born 20 July 1866 in Groveland, NY and died 30 March 1955 in Livingston County, New York.   They had a daughter, Elizabeth Belle Bevier born April 1896 who married Edward A. WEBER and a son Robert Abraham Bevier born 1 July 1898 in Livingston Co., NY.

Her third marriage  was to Andrew SEDAM (original spelling was SWYDERN), son of Daniel P. Sedam and Cynthia Bergen.  Andrew was born November 1832 in Livingston County, NY and died most likely between 1900 and 1910.    They had four children of which we know 3: 

b. Daniel P. Sedam was born March 1869 in Livingston County, NY and died sometime after 1930.  .  He first married Laura D. (maiden name unknown) about 1896.  Laura was born March 1868 in New York.  They had two sons:  William Glenn Sedam born 4 Jan 1898 and Cecil A. Sedam born Dec 1899; both born in Livingston County, NY.   Daniel remarried about 1903 to Flora (maiden name unknown) who was born about 1870 in New York. By the 1920 census he was married to Cora who was born about 1874 in NY and in 1921 Daniel married Ruth H. (maiden name unknown) who was born about 1898 in New York.

c.  Charles A. Sedam was born January 1870 in Livingston County, New York.  He married Mae L. (maiden name unknown) about 1895.  Mae was born Aug 1875 in New York.  They had one son:  Fletcher Miller Sedam born 4 Jan 1896 in Livingston County, New York who married Lillian M., (maiden name unknown) about 1926 who was born about 1895 in New York.  

3. Sarah Jane Knappenberg was born 12 September 1838 in Livingston County, New York and died 12 August 1916 in Bergen County, New Jersey.  Sarah married Jasper Johnson ROBINSON known as "John", son of Levi Robinson, Jr. and Desdemona Denton, on 1 January 1861.  John was born 1 May 1835 in Sparta, New York and died 12 May 1920 in Bergen County, New Jersey.  In the 1870s, this family moved to Lincoln, Nebraska.   They had the following children:  

a.  Edward James Robinson was born 8 June 1863 in Livingston Co., NY and died 8 February 1916 in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois.  He married Effie Alberta CORNELL, daughter of William Cornell and Caroline Virginia Simmons,  on 21 July 1890.  She was born 7 March 1868 in Clay Co., Missouri and died 13 March 1923 in Los Angeles, California.  They had 3 sons: 

Ralph Cornell Robinson born 8 June 1891 in Lancaster Co., Nebraska.  He married Beulah E. NELSON on 5 Aug 1919 in South Dakota.  Beulah was born about 1900 in Nebraska;  Paul Edward Robinson born 28 Oct 1896 in  Lancaster Co.,  Nebraska who married Hazel REED in 1919.  Hazel was born 24 Oct 1899 in Illinois and died 26 Aug 1998 in California.  And Carl B. Robinson born Feb 1898 in South Dakota.

b. Henry Levi Robinson was born 29 Sept 1865 in Livingston Co., NY and died 6 Dec 1938 in Buchanan County, Missouri,  He married Carrie A. FLUCARD on 28 Nov 1889.  Carrie was born Feb 1861 in Indiana and died 16 May 1961 in Pinellas County, Florida.  They had two children:    Harold E. Robinson born 1 Oct 1894 in Buchanan Co., Missouri and died Nov 1964 in Dallas County, Texas  and Ona M. Robinson born April 1897 in Buchanan Co., Missouri.

c.  Charles Warner Robinson was born 9 Oct 1867 in Livingston Co., NY and died 22 Sept 1945 in Lincoln, Nebraska.  He married Minnie J. KAAR, daughter of Theodore Kaar and Sarah Ann Smith, on 3 Aug 1895 in Nebraska.  Minnie was born 2 June 1873 in Bureau Co., IL  and died 6 June 1949 in Lincoln, Nebraska.  They had 13 children all born in Lincoln, Lancaster Co., Nebraska:  

Helen R. Robinson (25 Aug 1894), Donald K. Robinson born 24 April 1896 and died young,  Bernice Robinson born 3 Oct 1898 and died young, Charles Warner Robinson, Jr. born 27 Jan 1900, Jeanne Robinson, born about 1902, Esther Robinson born about 1904, William Duane Robinson born about 1906, Sarah J. Robinson born about 1908, Marlen Robinson born 18 May 1909 and died 25 July 1993about 1909, Maxine Robinson born about 1912, Harriet F. Robinson born about 1914, Theodora Robinson born about 1916 and E. Woodrow Robinson born about 1918.  

d.  Denton Moore Robinson was born 7 Dec 1878 in Lincoln, Nebraska and died October 1953 in Windham County, Vermont.  He married Josephine Hutchins in June 1921.  Josephine was born about 1870 in Massachusetts and died 7 June 1942.  No children were born to this couple.    

4. William S. Knappenberg was born 10 October 1840 in Livingston Co., NY and died 5 January 1915 there. He is buried at Oakwood Cemetery  in Nunda, New York.  William enlisted with the New York infantry at the age of 22 to fight in the Civil War.  He enlisted on 29 August 1862 as a Private and was promoted to a Full Corporal in 1864.  He served in the New York Enlisted F Company / 136th Infantry Regiment until he was mustered out on 13 June 1865.  

William married Elizabeth J. MARSH, daughter of Theresa, who was born June 1838 in New York and died between 1900-1910 in Livingston Co., NY.  They had one daughter: 

a. Teresa  E. Knappenberg known as "Ressie" (born January 1872 in Livingston County, New York and died after 1920) who married a dentist named William BAYLOR about 1897.  William was born April 1865 in New York and died  1910-1920 in Livingston Co., New York.  No children.

5. Jacob Knappenberg was born 26 March 1843 in Livingston Co., NY and died 11 November 1915 there.  Jacob married Frances BERGEN who was born May 1848 in New York and died sometime after 1920.  They had a daughter: 

a.  Mabel V. Knappenberg was born August 1871 in Livingston Co., NY and died after 1930.)    She was  a school teacher.  Mabel V. was single at the age of 48 in the 1920 census and in the 1930 census was 58 and single. 

6. Frances G. Knappenberg was born 1 June 1845 and died 9 August 1845 in Livingston Co., NY.   She is buried in Union Corners Cemetery, West Sparta, Livingston County, New York.

7. John Henry Knappenberg was born 22 August 1847 and died 25 February 1922 in Livingston County, New York.  John Henry owned "Brookside" farm which was considered an up-to-date farm raising grain and specialized in stock raising, particularly horse breeding.  

John Henry first married Frances E. CREVELING who was born 8 April 1847 and died 6 April 1880in Livingston Co., NY.   They are buried in Union Corners Cemetery.  John Henry and Frances had four children: 

a.   Georgiana Knappenberg (born 17 February 1870) who married a Mr. O'KIN

b.   Elizabeth Knappenberg "Lizzie" (born 29 September 1871) who married a Mr. LaBOYTEEN  (spelling is probably inaccurate)

c. Mary Rose Knappenberg (born 1 August 1875) who married a Mr. BEAN.

d. Kittie Knappenberg (18 April 1877-18 July 1878).

Can anyone help us with these daughters and their marriages?  is so, please contact us at jsappleton@windstream.net

John Henry then married Ida M. DALRYMPLE, daughter of Amos O. Dalrymple and Francis M. Darling, about 1882.  Ida was born 14 Aug 1856 in Livingston County, NY and died there in 1922.  Ida was the postmistress of West Sparta, Livingston County, New York in 1898.  John Henry and Ida had three children: 

e.  Vera D.  Knappenberg was born April 1885 in Livingston Co., NY.  She married Cameron A. Rowe about 1920.  He was born 10 March 1893 in Livingston Co., NY.  They had two children:  John Cameron Rowe (4 Aug 1923-29 May 2007) and Jane Rowe born 26 Sept 1926.

f. Henry W. Knappenberg was born 30 January 1891and died 8 February 1892.

g. Ruth Knappenberg was born 28 April 1895 in Livingston Co., NY and died 16 Feb 1965.  She married Harold Roberts Brown, M.D., son of Leslie T. and Daisy C. Brown about 1924 .   Harold was born 24 Jan 1897 in Scholarie Co., NY and died 1971.

8. Harriet Knappenberg was born 17 June 1852 in Livingston County, New York and died 18 November 1862.  She was buried in Union Corners Cemetery.


MARGARET KNAPPENBERG (1805-1891)

Margaret was born October 1805 in Catawissa, Northumberland County, PA and died 1891 in Caledonia, Livingston County,  New York.  She married Duncan SINCLAIR in 1825.  Duncan was born in Caledonia, Livingston County, New York and died 1837-1840 when Margaret appears as a widow in the 1840 census and head of household in Caledonia, Livingston County, New York.  Margaret and Duncan had four children:

1.  James D. Sinclair was born about 1830 in Livingston County, New York.  He first married Emma [maiden name unknown] who was born about 1834 in England and died about 1851 in Caledonia, Livingston County, New York and seemingly died about 1860-1861.  James and Emma had two children: Fremont Sinclair (born about 1855 in Livingston County, New York and died 1860-1870 and Duncan Sinclair (born about 1857 in Livingston County, New York).

James remarried about 1861 to Theresa C. [maiden name unknown] who was born about 1840 in New York and died 1910/1920   in Livingston Co., NY.   James and Theresa had at least three children: 

a.  Frank Sinclair born about 1862 and died sometime before 1910.

b.  J. Elbert Sinclair born April 1869 in Livingston Co., NY.  He married Leona (daughter of Elizabeth) who was born June 1872 in New York.  They had two children:  Eva Sinclair born Sept 1897 and Harold D. Sinclair born 23 June 1907 and died 28 June 1990.

c.  Margaretta Sinclair born 1880 in Caledonia, Livingston Co., NY who married Daniel W. PETERS about 1903.  Daniel was born about 1880 in New York.    They had 7 children:  Florence C. Peters (about 1905), Ethel M. Peters (about 1906), Beatrice M. Peters (abt 1909), Doris L. Peters (about 1913), Emory C. Peters (12 May 1912-April 1984) and Alton D. Peters (22 Jan 1920-10 July 2004).

2.  Jane Sinclair was born about 1832 in Livingston County, New York.  She was 18 years old in the 1850 census and living with her widowed mother and three brothers.

3.  Duncan Sinclair was born about 1834 in Livingston County, New York and died  1910/1920 in Livingston County, New York.  He is listed as widowed in the 1900 and 1910 census though we do not know his wife's name.  He married late in life and seemingly never had any children. In the 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880 censuses, he is living with his widowed mother, Margaret, and farming the family farm.

4.  David Frank Sinclair was born 31 May 1838 in Livingston County, New York and died 18 August 1913 in Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa.  David is buried in Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa.   He married Loretta REEVES on 20 September 1875 in Kenosha, Wisconsin.   Loretta was born Dec 1847 in New York (both parents born in Vermont) and died sometime after 1920.   David was a member of the 136th New York Infantry Volunteers during the Civil War.   In the 1920 census for Des Moines, Iowa Loretta R. Sinclair is listed as 72 years of age and widowed.   Census records indicate that this couple had no children.

A special thank you to Lesa VanSon for her research on David Frank Sinclair

If you are a descendant of this Sinclair family,
 we would like to hear from you.
Please contact us at jsappleton@windstream.net


JOSEPH KNAPPENBERG (1808-1884)

Joseph was born 6 December 1808 in Northumberland County, PA and died 1884 in Dansville, New York.  Joseph married late in life to Jane GILLESPIE in 1863.  Jane was the daughter of Richard B. Gillespie and Margaret Gray.  Jane was born about 1819 in Livingston County, New York.  No children were born to this marriage.


SAMUEL KNAPPENBERG (1811-c1811)

Samuel was born 1811 in Dansville, New York and died in infancy.   He was the twin of Adam Knappenberg.


ADAM KNAPPENBERG (1811-c1860)

Phoebe
[Van Ness Bogart]
n Adam n Grace
[Morris]
i i
Katherine & Jennie John Adam n Sarah 
[Carpenter]
i i
no children to either 4 children

Adam was born 1811 in Dansville, New York.  He first married Phoebe VAN NESS BOGART in 1835.  Phoebe was born 1817 in New York and died about 1841 in Livingston County, New York. They had two daughters.

1. Katherine Knappenberg was born 1 April 1836 in Livingston County, New York and on 29 November 1916 in Livingston County, New York.  She never married.

2.  Jennie Knappenberg was born about 1840 in Livingston County, New York.  Jenny was a dressmaker in Dansville in 1868.  In 1870 she was living with her half brother, John Adam Knappenberger, in Sparta, at 30 years of age and single.

Adam then married Grace MORRIS in 1842.  Grace was born in Clifton Springs, New York.  They had one child: John Adam Knappenberg.   We know that Adam and Grace died prior to 1860 because two children, Katherine and Adam, were living with their bachelor uncles (Joseph and Jacob) on the family farm in the 1860 census.

3. John Adam Knappenberg known as "Adam" was born 23 December 1842 in Livingston County, New York and died 21 September 1917 in Dansville, New York.  John Adam Knappenberg married Sarah F. CARPENTER, daughter of Thorn Carpenter and Loretta Leroy, in 1873.  Sarah was born March 1845 and died sometime after 1925.  They had four children.

a. Grace Knappenberger was born 1874.  She married a Mr. MERRILL and had two children: Robert Merrill and Gertrude Merrill who married a Mr. NASH and lived in Mountainview, California.

b. Loretta L. Knappenberg, MD was born about 1876 in Livingston County, New York and died 13 September 1962 in Buffalo, New York.  Dr. Knappenberg never married but she did adopt a daughter Angela C. Knappenberg (born 21 December 1911 and died 17 January 1991) who married a Mr. PRATT and had two sons, John Pratt and Paul Pratt.

c. Joseph T. Knappenberger was born 28 January 1880 in Dansville, New York and died 7 June 1945 in Klickitat County, Washington.  He married Helen V. FORD  on 27 January 1909.  Helen was born 27 July 1871 in Oregon and died May 1967.  Joseph was an attorney at law.  It seems that this couple had no children.

d. Charles W. Knappenberger was born 20 January 1885.  He  served during World War I.  Charles married Mabel FRAZIER who was born 18 December 1888 in New York and died April 1984.  They had a daughter: Janice Knappenberg who married a Mr. BLUM.  Charles was a lawyer and served as district attorney for Livington County, New York from 1921 to 1923.  


JOHN KNAPPENBERG (1814-1873) 

John was born 1814 in Dansville, Livingston County, New York and died 1873 in Livingston County, New York.  It seems John never married.   He is listed in the 1870 census in Caledonia, Livingston County, New York as John "Nattenburgh" and working on the farm of Duncan Sinclair.   Also in this household is John's widowed sister, Margaret (Knappenberg) Sinclair [see above].  

If you wish additional information or care to share family information
please contact us at jsappleton@windstream.net

SPECIAL THANKS GOES TO

  • Virginia Harshman of California for her continual support in our efforts.   We could not have done the Knappenberg family without her.
  • Douglas Morgan who is a wonderful researcher from the Livingston County Historical Society and provided us with invaluable help.