ABRAHAM KNAPPENBERGER
OF CARBON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

UPDATED  8 April 2010

Johan Michael
(1709-1751)
i
Johan Henrich
(1744-1818)
i
Johan Henrich Jr
(1781-1833)
i
Thomas
(1809 -1857)
i
Abraham
(1833-1904)
liiiiiiim

GENERAL INFORMATION

Abraham Knappenberger, son of Thomas Knappenberger (1809-1857) and Salome "Sarah" Gruber (1814-1835), was born 30 January 1833 in Carbon County, PA and died 15 November 1904 in Palmerton, Carbon County, PA.  He was christened in the Egypt Reformed Church.  He is buried in the Little White Church Cemetery, Carbon County, PA.

Abraham married Clara GREENZWEIG, daughter of David and Sarah Greenzweig, about 1855.  Clara was born about 1835 in Upper Towamensing Township, Carbon County, PA.  Abraham and Clara had nine children.

The 1880 census lists Abraham with his wife, Clara, and children living in Lower Towamensing Township, Carbon County, PA.  Abraham was working as a teamster.

CHILDREN

JOHN KNAPPENBERGER (c1856-?)

John Knappenberger was born about 1856 in Carbon County, PA.  He was listed as 14 years of age in his parents household in the 1870 census for Lower Towamensing Township, Carbon County, PA.  It seems likely that he married between 1880 and 1882 and had two sons: John William Knappenberger and Charles Abraham Knappenberger.  More research needs to be completed for this family.

1.  John William Knappenberger was born 4 March 1883 in Bowmanstown, Carbon County, PA and died in 1949.  He married Ida Matilda STEIGERWALT, daughter of Owen Steigerwalt and Fianna Wertman, on 5 October 1905 in Carbon County, PA.  Ida was born 7 August 1888 in East Penn Township, Carbon County, PA and died in 1952.  They had three children.

a. Wilmer Franklin Knappenberger was born 29 September 1906 in Lehighton, Carbon County, PA and died 2 March 1973 in Lehighton, Carbon County, PA.  He married Elizabeth Emaline SMITH, daughter of Mahlon Smith and Jemima Kuehner, sometime after 1930.  Elizabeth was born 29 June 1900 in East Penn Township, Carbon County, PA and died 7 February 1994 in Milford, Pike County, PA. They had two children together.  Wilmer also had a stepdaughter, Bessie Leona Smith (22 Feb 1920-21 April 2007) who married Walter Theodore Strohl (28 Sept 1912-Aug 1965).  Wilmer may have adopted her.

Nira Jane Knappenberger was born 1933 in Lehighton, Carbon County, PA.  She married Marvin Arthur FRANTZ, son of Russell Frantz and Naeda Breiner.  Marvin was born 17 Oct 1931 in Schuylkill County, PA and died 3 Oct 1974 in Carbon County, PA.  

Remie June "Chut" Knappenberger was born 936 in Lehighton, Carbon County, PA.  She married John Frederick PULUKA, III on 8 Sept 1956.  John was born 23 March 1930 and died 27 Aug 1997 in New Jersey. 

b. Marvin D. Knappenberger was born 3 June 1909 in Carbon County, PA and died January 1971 in Carbon County, PA.  He married Edna G. HABERMAN who was born 19 April 1915.  This marriage ended in divorce.  Marvin and Edna had three children: Earl Knappenberger, Gerald C. Knappenberger and LaVaun Knappenberger.

c. Lula M. Knappenberger was born about 1911 in Carbon County, PA.  She married Adam Henry TROUTMAN who was born 8 January 1882 in Wernersville, PA and died in 1958.  Adam was married previously and was most likely a widower when he married Lula.  Lula later married a Mr. CAMPBELL.

2.  Charles Abraham Knappenberger was born 12 April 1885 in Carbon County, PA.  He listed his brother, John William Knappenberger, as his closest relative on his 1917 World War I draft registration card.  This would seem to indicate that both of his parents had died.  In the 1920 census he was living in Thomas Knappenberger's household in Palmerton, Carbon County, PA as a "boarder" and working for the zinc company.  At that time he was 34 years of age and single.  Thomas would be his uncle. He was living in 1942 when he registered for the draft for World War II.   We know nothing further of him at this time.

JANE KNAPPENBERGER (c1857-?)

Jane was born about 1857 in Carbon County, PA.  Nothing further is known about her.

WILLIAM ABRAHAM KNAPPENBERGER (1858-?)

William Abraham was born September 1858 in Carbon County, PA and died sometime after the 1910 census when he was living with his brother, Thomas Franklin Knappenberger, and his family in Weatherly, Carbon Co., PA.  He was working in a foundry.   In the 1900 census he was listed as a widower in Lower Towamensing Twp., Carbon County, PA in his brother's household (Charles R. Knappenberger) with his son, Erwin.   He married Jane STERLING, daughter of John and Sarah Sterling.  Jane was born about 1864 in Carbon County, PA and died between 1894-1900.  It is believed that she was married to a Mr. Gailey prior to her marriage to William.  They had three children.

MARY LILLIAN KNAPPENBERGER (c1862-?)

Mary Lillian was born about 1862 in Carbon County, PA.  She married William Washington YOHE, son of Hiram Yohe and Suzanne Sherry.  William was born about 1862 in Northampton County, PA.  They lived in the Bethlehem-Allentown area of PA.  They had seven children.

1.  Sarah Suzzana Yohe was born 17 August 1884 in Pennsylvania and died September 1974 in Latrobe, Westmoreland County, PA.  She married Clarence SAXMAN who was born about 1881 in Pennsylvania.  He was a farmer in Unity Township, Westmoreland County in the 1920 and 1930 censuses.  This couple had five children.

a.  Blanche Saxman was born about 1905.  She was 24 years old, a teacher, and single in the 1930 census.

b.  Frederick Saxman was born 11 September 1906 and died May 1979 in Latrobe, Westmoreland County, PA.  In the 1930 census, Fred was 23 years old, single, and a school teacher.

c. Elyses Saxman was born about 1912.  The 1920 census lists Elyses as a daughter but the 1930 census lists Elyses as a son.

d.  Sarah S. Saxman was born about 1917 in Westmoreland County, PA.

e.  John Saxman was born in 1919 in Unity Township, Westmoreland County, PA.

2.  William Knappenberger Yohe, Sr.  was born 15 December 1886 in Pennsylvania and died 31 July 1967 in Los Angeles County, California.  He married Rachel Grace SAXMAN, daughter of Peter H. Saxman.  Rachel was born 21 January 1894 in Pennsylvania and died April 1972 in Monaca, Pennsylvania.  They had three children.

a. William Knappenberger Yohe, Jr. born 17 April 1921 in Allegheny County, PA

b. Lucetta M. Yohe born about 1924 in Allegheny County, PA.

c.  Nancy G. Yohe born about 1926 in Allegheny County, PA.

3. Mary Lillian Yohe was born 1 November 1889 in Pennsylvania and died 13 July 1984 in Los Angeles County, California.  She first married Edward C. CUTHBERT who was born about 1886 in New Jersey.  They lived in Winston-Salem, NC during the 1920 census where Edward worked for the steam railway.  In 1922, Mary and Edward lived in Burlington, NC.  However, in 1923, Mary married a second time to Floyd Pitts in Tijuana, Mexico and they lived in Los Angeles County afterwards.  Floyd was born in 1893.  Mary had no children from either marriage.   

4.  George Yohe was born about 1894 in Pennsylvania.  He married Elizabeth [maiden name unknown] about 1920.  Elizabeth was born about 1894 in England.  This family lived in Jersey City, New Jersey.  They had two children.

a.  George Yohe was born about 1921 in Pennsylvania.

b.  Elizabeth Yohe was born about 1925 in New Jersey.

5.  Catherine Yohe was born about 1895 in Northampton County, PA.  She married Paul NOEL, son of George E. and Mary E. NOEL.  Paul was born about 1892 in Pennsylvania.  This family was living in Unity Township  (Latrobe), Westmoreland County, PA in 1922 as stated in her brother's obituary.  The 1920 census indicates that they had two daughters.

a.  Mary E. Noel was born about 1916 in Pennsylvania.

b.  Pauline Noel was born about 1917 in Pennsylvania.

6.  John W. Yohe was born 23 December 1897 in Northampton County, PA and died 30 July 1918 in Chateau-Thierry, France while fighting in World War I.  He was a private in Company M, 110th Infantry and was killed in action.  His body was brought home in 1922 where he was buried in Fairview Cemetery with full military honors.  

7.  Daughter Yohe married William SMITH and lived in Bethlehem, Northampton County, PA in 1922 as stated in her brother's obituary.  The obituary stated that John W. Yohe had a sister, Mrs. William Smith of Bethlehem.  We do not know her first name at this time.

We are looking for more information on this family.
Please contact us at jsappleton@alltel.net

                    
THOMAS FRANKLIN KNAPPENBERGER (1866-1939)

Thomas Franklin was born 24 December 1866 in Bowmanstown, Carbon County, PA and died in Carbon County in 1939.  He first married Unknown probably about 1898 and had a daughter, Emma.  This wife may have died in childbirth.  He then married Ellen BARREL, daughter of Joel Barrell and Lydia Hoffman, on 26 April 1900.  The 1910 census indicates that this was Thomas' second marriage and the first marriage for Ellen.  They had been married 10 years at that time.  Ellen was born 11 May 1878 in Ashfield,  Carbon County, PA and died 1951 in Carbon County, PA.  This family is buried in Parryville Cemetery, Carbon County, PA. Thomas and Ellen had two children: George and Eva.

Thomas Knappenberger's tombstone at Parryville Cemetery, Carbon County, PA

1. Emma S. Knappenberger, daughter of Thomas Franklin Knappenberger and his first wife,  was born 28 January 1899 in Ashfield, Carbon County, PA and died 29 July 1984 in Parryville, Carbon County, PA.  Emma married Edgar Morris BORTZ on 23 December 1916.  Edgar was born 30 Jan 1894 in Fogelsville, Lehigh County, PA.  They had four children.

a. Thomas F. Bortz was born 29 March 1917 in Carbon County, PA and died January 1979 in Carbon County, PA.

b. Edna M. Bortz was born 15 December 1919.  She married Thomas Luther STEIGERWALT, Jr. who was born 17 July 1919 in PA and died October 1985 in New Jersey.

c. Walter Bortz seemingly died prior to 1930.

d. Robert C. Bortz was born in 1928 in Carbon County, PA.

2. George C. Knappenberger, son of Thomas Franklin Knappenberger and Ellen Barrell,  was born 16 May 1902 in Carbon County, PA and died June 1967 in Carbon County, PA.  George married Cora M. [last name unknown].  Cora was born 9 April 1903 and died December 1976 in Carbon County, PA.  They are buried in Parryville Cemetery.  We have not located any children for this couple 

3. Eva A. Knappenberger, daughter of Thomas Franklin Knappenberger and Ellen Barrell,  was born 14 February 1905 in Carbon County, PA and died there in November 1983.  She married Lewis L. Blose who was born 4 July 1903 in PA and died in Carbon County, PA in February 1974.   By the 1930 census they had five children:   Melvin L. (1921-1981), Verna M., Marian E., Evelyn L., and Loretta E.  

AMANDUS JOHN KNAPPENBERGER (1868-after 1930)

Amandus John was born 30 August 1868 in Lehigh Gap, PA and died sometime after 1930 in Carbon County, PA.  He first married Anna J. STETTLER (daughter of Eliza) on 24 March 1890. Anna was born 3 March 1867 in Carbon County, PA and died 30 January 1901.   Amandus married a second time to Mary Rebecca REHRIG known as "Rebecca", daughter of Lewis H. Rehrig and Catherine J. Beidleman, on 17 May 1902 in Carbon County, PA.  Rebecca was born 1 October 1880 in Carbon County, PA and died 1916 in Weissport, Carbon County, PA.  Rebecca drowned in the Lehigh Canal in Weissport.   Amandus and Rebecca had five children.  These children were put up for adoption and a number of them went to the home of a family named NEFF.  One family story has Amandus dying with his second wife by drowning.  However, the 1930 census for Palmerton, Carbon County, PA lists Amandus Knappenberger as 61 years of age, widowed, a boarder, and working as a laborer in a sand quarry.

1. John L. Knappenberger was born 25 June 1902 in Carbon County, PA and died June 1983 in Lehighton, Carbon County, PA.

2. Robert E. Knappenberger was born 2 December 1904 in Bowmanstown, Carbon County, PA and died May 1976 in Walnutport, Northampton Co., PA.  He married Helen L. RADER, daughter of Richard Rader and  Annie Serfass. She was born about 1915 and died 17 January 2008 in Allentown, Lehigh County, PA.   They had one son: Robert A. Knappenberger (1933-21 Nov 2009).

3. Clara R.J. Knappenberger known as "C.J." was born about 1906 in Carbon County, PA.   She first married George W. COFFIN who was born about 1904 in PA.   They had a child, Norman J. Coffin who was born about 1927.  In the 1930 census this couple is living in Walnutport, PA.  Living with them is Robert Knappenberger, age 25, and single, who is Clara's brother.  It seems that she later married Amandus KULP who was born 15 February 1891 and died September 1969 in Slatington, Lehigh County, PA.  

4. Wilson E. Knappenberger was born 11 May 1908 in Bowmanstown, Carbon County, PA and died 14 January 1965 in Walnutport, Northampton County, PA.  Wilson married Dorothy A. GREENZWEIG, daughter of Francis E. Greenzweig and Julia Leonard, on 18 August 1927 in Carbon County, PA.  Dorothy was born 26 January 1909 in East Mauch Chunk [now Jim Thorpe], Carbon County, PA.  She died 5 July 1991 in Carbon County, PA.  They had ten children.

a. Harold W. Knappenberger was born 18 February 1928 and died 5 April 1985.    Harold W. served in the Korean War.  He married Joyce W. Bowman, daughter of harold E. Bowman and Madeline M. Drumbore.  Joyce was born 8 Dec 1934 and died 11 Feb 1988.
b. Eleanor M. Knappenberger was born 1929.
c. Joyce L. Knappenberger was born 1931 and died 1993.
d. Donald W. Knappenberger was born 1934.
e. Kenneth R. Knappenberger was born 1937.
f.  Richard A. Knappenberger was born 1939.
g. Annabelle Knappenberger was born 1941.
h. Allen R. Knappenberger was born 1944.
i.  Carol Knappenberger was born 1947.
j.  Stephen Knappenberger was born 1949.

5. Emma C.R. Knappenberger was born about 1914 in Bowmanstown, Carbon County, PA.  She married Charles E. HINKLE, Sr., son of John H. Hinkle and Bertha Wesner, on 26 April 1930.  Charles was born 21 September 1903 in Easton, Northampton County, PA and died 8 September 1994 in Carbon County, PA.  They had five children.

a. Charles E. Hinkle, Jr.
b. David A. Hinkle.
c. Ronald B. Hinkle.
d. Joan Hinkle.
e. Robert Hinkle.

 

CHARLES R. KNAPPENBERGER (1870-1940)

Charles was born 4 July 1870 in Lower Towamensing Township, Carbon County, PA and died in 1940.  He was listed in the 1910 census for Carbon County as "Charles Nappenburger".  He married Rebecca BARREL (or Borrell) , daughter of Joel Barrell and Lydia Hoffman, on 28 July 1892.  Rebecca was born 4 January 1872 in East Penn Township, Carbon County, PA and died January 1940.  They are buried in Arlington Cemetery in Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, PA.  They had 6 children:.

1. Cora A. Knappenberger was born 6 April 1893 in East Penn Township, Carbon County, PA.  In the 1920 census, Cora was listed as married and seemingly to George Daubenspeck who is also in the household.  But by 1930 census she is married to John T. PRICE who was born about 1901 in New Jersey.  They had six children.

a.  Lloyd N. Price born 23 December 1921 in Lehigh  County, PA and died January 1985.

b.  Dorothy M. Price born about 1923 who married a Mr. Keller.

c.  Virginia Price born about 1925 who married Herman Moyer.

d.  Helen M. Price born 14 January 1929 in Allentown, Lehigh County, PA and died 8 April 1995.  She married Donald T. Brandt.

e.  Pauline Price who married Paul Tomson..

f.  Richard Price.

2.  William Albert Knappenberger was born 1 Aug 1893 in Carbon County, PA according to his World War I draft registration.  He was married and had a child in 1917 when he registered for the draft.  However, at this time we do not know this spouse or child.

By the 1930 census, William Knappenberger is 37 years of age and married for 5 years to May (maiden name unknown) who was born about 1904 in PA.  They had a daughter, Dorothy Knappenberger born 1926 in Lehigh County, PA.

In the 1900 census he was living with his grandmother, Lydia Barrell at the age of 6 and listed as a grandson but by the 1910 census he was living with Charles R. Knappenberger and listed as son.

3.  Clara Lydia Knappenberger was born 24 May 1895 in Carbon County, PA and died 1 July 1964 in Lehigh County, PA.  She married Robert Thomas RUTMAN, son of Monroe Rutman and Mary Moser, on 22 November 1909.  Robert was born 1 October 1888 in Catasauqua, PA.  They are buried in Coplay Cemetery in Lehigh County, PA.  This couple had five children.

a.  Robert Thomas Rutman, Jr. died in 1923 and is buried in Coplay Cemetery.

b. Arlene M. Rutman was born about 1914 in Lehigh County, PA.  She married Robert P. RITTER and had four children.   Robert was born about 1908 in Lehigh County, PA

c. Howard R. Rutman was  born 11 February 1916 and died in  February 1967.  He married Matilda M. TRANSUE and had ten children.

d.  Florence L. Rutman was born 28 March 1914 and died 2 April 2004 in Lehigh County, PA.  She married Harold L. SWOYER (8 December 1914 - 28 November 1992) and had ten children.  They are buried in Coplay Cemetery.

e. Clara C. Rutman was born 2 January 1921 and died 12 April 1996.  She first married William L. FALK, Sr. (born about 1908), son of Edwin Henry Falk and Eva E. Ludwig, and and had six children.  She later married Frederick R. Brauchle, Jr. (30 July 1928 - 23 April 1996) and had one son.

4. Charles H. Knappenberger was born 1906 in Carbon County, PA and died 10 April 1968 in Allentown, Lehigh County, PA.  He married Florence A. MERKLE, daughter of Frank Merkle and Mary SCHMOYER.  Florence was born 24 November 1902 in East Texas, Lehigh County, PA and died 6 December 1999 in Lehigh County, PA.  Florence died at the age of 97 and was very involved with the Salvation Army.  They had two children.

a.  Margaret Florence Knappenberger was born 27 March 1924 in Allentown, PA and died 26 May 1989 in Maryland.  She married Frederick Harry STUMPP, Jr., son of Frederick Harry Stumpp, Sr. and Mabel Metizler.  Frederick was born 9 March 1924 and died 2 February 1983 in Lehigh County, PA.   They had 4 sons.

b. Donald Charles Knappenberger was born 30 December 1932 in Allentown, PA and died 25 December 1997 in Lehigh County, PA.  He married June Adreas and had two sons:  Donald and Ronald.

5. Bertha M. Knappenberger was born 31 July 1910 in Carbon County, PA and died 15 October 1997 in Lehigh County, PA.  Bertha married Charles M. MARTZ who was born 4 May 1907 in Summit Hill, Carbon County, PA and died 15 September 1984 in Allentown, Lehigh County, PA.  This couple had one son.

a. Charles H. Martz.

6. Harvey Abraham Knappenberger was born 7 November 1916 in Bowmanstown, Carbon County, PA and died 6 November 1993 in Stroudsburg, Monroe County, PA.  Harvey married Mary A. STEINSON, daughter of John Steinson and Mary Ziegenfuss, in December 1935 in Carbon County, PA.  Mary was born in 8 Oct 1918 and died 18 Feb 2007 in Lewisburg, PA.  They had three daughters.

a.  Janice M. Knappenberger was born 6 April 1938 in Allentown, Lehigh County, PA and died December 1995 in Virginia. . She married Robert Schiffner.

b.  Mary Ann Knappenberger was born 1944 in Allentown, PA.

c.  Jean Knappenberger who died prior to 1993.    Jean married a Mr. Cody.

SARAH A. KNAPPENBERGER (1872-?)

Sarah was born 4 December 1872 in Lower Towamensing Township, Carbon County, PA and died sometime after 1920.  She married Henry G. FIELD, son of Joseph L. and Lena Elizabeth Field, on 17 May 1890 in Carbon County, PA.  Henry was born 20 June 1869 in Parryville, Carbon County, PA and died sometime between 1910 and 1920.  In the 1920 census for Carbon County, Sarah Field is listed as a widow.  They had five children.

1.  Joseph Burton Field was born September 1893 in Carbon County, PA and died about 1926/1927.  He married Hazel A. [maiden name unknown] who was born about 1893 in Pennsylvania.  They had seven children: Ethel, Grace, Charles, Kathryn, Wilbur J., Martha E and William E. Field.

2.  Russell R. Field was born December 1896 in Carbon County, PA.  He married Addie M. [maiden name unknown] who was born about 1900 in New Jersey.  They had three daughters:  Pearl A., Ruth and Dorothy.

3.  Sarah E. Field was born about 1900 in Carbon County, PA.

4.  Theodore R. Field was born about 1903 in Carbon County, PA.  He married his older brother's [Joseph's] widow, Hazel, about 1928.   He raised the seven children of this marriage and, in the 1930 census, Theodore and Hazel had a son together named Earl H. Field.

5.  Bertha A. Field was born about 1909 in Carbon County, PA.

LUCY A. KNAPPENBERGER (1876-?)

Lucy A. was born 11 August 1876 in Lower Towamensing, Carbon County, PA.  She married Joseph F. BELTZ, son of Joseph and Fiana Beltz,  on 22 February 1890 in Carbon County, PA.  Joseph was born 13 November 1870 in Carbon County, PA.  The 1910 census indicates that he lived in Carbon County, PA and the 1920 census lists them in Salisbury Township Lehigh County, PA as farmers.  They had five children.

1. Harvey J. Beltz was born about 1900 in Carbon County, PA.

2. Claude E. Beltz was born 11 August 1902 in Carbon County, PA
and died March 1985 in Lehigh County, PA.

3. Ida E. Beltz was born 1907 in Hazard, PA and died 23 September 1999 in Muhlenberg, PA.  Ida first married Walter KEICHEL who was born 15 February 1900 and died April 1967 in Catasauqua, PA.  They had one daughter:  Sandra.  Ida then married James LEWIS.

a. Sandra Keichel was the daughter of Ida and Walter.  

4. Anabel M.A. Beltz was born 1910 in Carbon County, PA.  

5.  Verna J. Beltz was born about 1913.

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