ELIAS JEREMIAS KNAPPENBERGER FAMILY
OF CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA 

UPDATED  15 July 2010

Johan Michael
(1709-1751)
i
Johan Henrich
(1744-1818)
i
Johan Philip
(1776-1851)
i
Philip Jr
(1800-1884)
i
Elias Jeremias
(1843-1926)
liiiiiiiiiim

GENERAL INFORMATION

Elias Jeremias Knappenberger known as "Eli" was born 26 April 1843 in Allentown, Lehigh County, PA and died 22 January 1926 in Ross Township, Clinton County, Indiana.  Eli was the youngest son of Philip and Anna Knappenberger and left his hometown at the age of 16 and traveled west to the state of Indiana.  

In Indiana, Eli met and married his wife, Elemina NAGLE, daughter of John Nagle and Anna Harmon, on 26 October 1867 in Clinton County, Indiana.  Elemina (sometimes spelled Elmina),  was born 2 September 1848 in Pennsylvania and died 26 November 1907 in Clinton County, Indiana.  Eli and his family returned to Pennsylvania about 1870 for several years but then moved back about 1879 and remained in Indiana.  Eli was a farmer but when he retired, he took up the work of a shoemaker having learned that trade in his early life. This couple and many of their children are buried in St. Luke's Cemetery, Clinton County, Indiana.  They had twelve children. 

Eli married again after Elemina's death to Melissa MARTIN SWOPE on 13 December 1909 in Clinton County, Indiana.  Melissa was born 9 March 1867 in Kansas and died sometime before 1920 in Clinton County, Indiana.  The 1920 census indicates that Eli was 76 years old and a widow at that time.

Clinton County, Indiana 
Circa 1920

Elias Jeremias Knappenberger 
(eldest man in photo, others unidentified)
[photo graciously provided by Marjorie Knappenberger Taylor]

CHILDREN

ANNA SONIA KNAPPENBERGER (1868-1963)

Anna Sonia was born 4 March 1868 in Clinton County, Indiana and died 24 July 1963 in Clinton Co., Indiana.  She married Michael "Eaton" SNYDER, son of Michael and Lucinda Snyder, on 3 June 1894 in Clinton County, Indiana.  Eaton was born October 1871 in Indiana and died July 1946 in Clinton Co., Indiana.  They are buried in Fairhaven Cemetery, Mulberry, Clinton Co., Indiana.  This couple was listed in the 1930 census as living in Madison Township, Clinton County, Indiana with Michael listed as a grain farmer.  They had one daughter:

1.  Lucy E. Snyder was born February 1896 in Clinton County, Indiana.  In the 1920 census, Lucy Snyder was 23 years of age, single and high school teacher living with her parents.   We know nothing further about her at this time.

ALFRED DANIEL KNAPPENBERGER (1869-1957)

Alfred Daniel was born 30 September 1869 in Clinton Co., Indiana and died 10 May 1957 in Mulberry, Clinton County,  Indiana.  Alfred married Ella HAMILTON on 5 November 1893 in Mulberry, Indiana.  Ella was born October 1870 in Clinton County, Indiana and died in 1955 in Mulberry, Indiana.  This couple is buried in St. Luke's Cemetery in Mulberry, Clinton Co., Indiana.  They had three children.

1. George Hugh Knappenberger was born Sept 1894 in Clinton County, Indiana and died in 1916 in Clinton County, Indiana.  He is buried in St. Luke's Cemetery.

2. Florence Gladys Knappenberger was born 18 August 1897 in Mulberry, Clinton County, Indiana and died November 1964 in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona.  Florence married Walter J. KNICKERBOCKER, Sr. on 5 June 1919 in Clinton County, Indiana.  Walter was born 26 September 1885 in Cyclone, Clinton County, Indiana and died 27 November 1960 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona.  They had 5 children:  

a.  Walter J. Knickerbocker, Jr. was born 28 Nov 1919 in Clinton Co., Indiana and died 9 Feb 1994 in Tucson, Arizona.  He married Mary G. on 5 Feb 1950 in Tucson, AZ.

b. Oretha Knickerbocker was born 7 Oct 1921 in Clinton Co., Indiana and died Nov 1987 in Phoenix, AZ.  She married Leo ALLEN in Sept 1941 in tucson, AZ.  Leo was born 2 march 1916 and died 20 Sept 1992 in Phoenix, AZ.

c. Mabel Knickerbocker was born 7 Feb 1924 in Boone County, Indiana and died 3 June 1998 in Tucson, AZ.  She married Jason Putnam on 7 dec 1950.  Jason was born 4 march 1914 and died 10 Aug 1989 in Tucson, Arizona.

d. Keith Knickerbocker was born 5 July 1927 in Clinton Co., Indiana and died 4 Nov 1993 in Tucson, AZ.  He married Inace in Tucson, Arizona.

e.  Joseph Knickerbocker was born 1932 in Indiana and married Elna Wohlrabe.

3. Francis Jennings Knappenberger was born 1 Feb1909 in Clinton, County, Indiana and died 25 December 1994 in Livingston, Overton County, Tennessee.  Francis was an Indiana sharecropper but he moved with his family to Tennessee and purchased his wife's family farm in 1950.   Francis married Jewell Eurcle FRANKLIN, daughter of James Franklin and Laura Gillentine, on 15 March 1941 in Chalmers, Indiana.  Jewell was born 22 July 1918 in Moodyville, Tennessee and died 23 July 1997 in Livingston, Overton County, Tennessee.  They are buried in Overton County Memorial Gardens.  They had 3 children:  

a.  Shirley Knappenberger (born 1943) 

b.  and twins - Royce Lynn Knappenberger (born 1946) 

c.  Joyce Lee Knappenberger (born 1946).

FRANCIS BENJAMIN KNAPPENBERGER (1871-1904)

Francis Benjamin was born 12 March 1871 in Allentown, Lehigh County, PA and died 19 February 1904 in Clinton County, Indiana.   He served in the US Armed Forces during the Philippine campaign in the Spanish-American War of 1898 as a member of Company I, 38th US Volunteer Infantry.  He was also a boilermaker for the railroad.  Francis married Nettie F. REAGAN on 17 June 1902 in Clinton County, Indiana.  Nettie was born 23 March 1884 in Clinton County, Indiana and died 1  January 1957 in Clinton County, Indiana.  Francis died from typhoid only nine days before the birth of their child, Orval.   Nettie remarried to Robert Vincent Wilden (died September 1942) and had several more children.

1. John Kenneth Knappenberger was born 15 Dec 1902 in Clinton Co., Indiana and died 3 July 1903 in Clinton County, IN.  He is buried in St. Luke Cemetery, Clinton Co., Indiana.

2.. Orval Lloyd Knappenberger was born 28 February 1904 in Frankfort, Clinton County, Indiana and died 8 April 1964 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

Orval first married Clellah WRIGHT, daughter of Josephine Blanche Wrightsman and Harley A. Wright,  on September 5, 1925 in Clinton County, Indiana.  Clellah was born in 17 March 1903 and died 4 May 1926 in Clinton County, PA.  She is buried at Greenlawn Cemetery.  No children born to this marriage.

Oval then married Ruth Irene KOONSMAN, daughter of Carl Ross Koonsman and Sarah Elizabeth Knight, on 16 December 1931 in Kokomo, Indiana.  Ruth was born 26 June 1906 in Howard County, Indiana and died 27 February 2002 at the age of 95.  This couple is buried in South Union Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana.  They had 3 children: Marjorie Elizabeth Knappenberger (born 1934), Richard Earl Knappenberger (born 1940), and Gary Carl Knappenberger (born 1943).

 

Frankfort, Indiana Circa 1936 Orval Knappenberger with his wife Ruth  and daughter Marjorie

Orval & Ruth Knappenberger's Home Circa 1949 FRONT ROW Richard Earl Knappenberger,  Gary Carl Knappenberger  BACK ROW Helen Reichard of Emmaus PA,  Ruth [Koonsman] Knappenberger,  Marjorie Knappenberger,  Morris Reichard of Emmaus PA

[photos graciously provided by Marjorie Knappenberger Taylor]

SARAH KNAPPENBERGER (c1873-?)

Sarah was born about 1873 in Lehigh County, PA and died as a young child perhaps during the diphtheria epidemic of 1880.  She was buried in Fair Haven Cemetery, Clinton County, Indiana.

CLARA DORILDA KNAPPENBERGER (1874-1880)

Clara Dorilda was born 19 October 1874 in Lehigh County, PA and died 30 November 1880 in Clinton County, Indiana from diphtheria.   She was buried in St. Luke Cemetery, Clinton County, Indiana.

MILTON JOSEPH KNAPPENBERGER (1876-1880)

Milton Joseph was born 29 November 1876 in Lehigh County, PA and died 6 December 1880 in Clinton County, Indiana from diphtheria.  He was buried in St. Luke Cemetery, Clinton County, Indiana.

EDGAR GEORGE KNAPPENBERGER (1879-1880)

Edgar George was born 15 August 1879 in Indiana and died 24 March 1904 in Clinton County, Indiana from diphtheria.  Edgar died in his 25th year just one month after his older brother, Francis, died from typhoid.   He is buried in St. Luke's Cemetery, Clinton County, Indiana.

FLORA ERRILDA KNAPPENBERGER (1882-1960)

Flora Errilda was born 4 October 1882 in Tippecanoe County,  Indiana and died 22 July 1960 in Rossville, Clinton County, Indiana.  Flora married William Shaw BROWN, son of Joseph Solomon Brown and Hannah I. Shaw, on 21 February 1906 in Clinton County, Indiana.  William was born 14 December 1882 in Clinton County, Indiana and died 2 May 1951 in Rossville, Clinton County, Indiana.  The Brown family came to Clinton County, Indiana in 1864 from Lehigh County, PA.   The original homestead with additional acreage remains in the family today.  The Brown family is of German origin and spelled their name "Braun" originally.  Flora and William had six children.

1. Loyal Solomon Brown was born 3 October 1907 in Clinton Co., Indiana
and died 25 January 1908 in Clinton Co., Indiana.

2. Dortha Mildred Brown was born 10 June 1909 in Clinton County, Indiana and died 15 April 1971 in Indiana.  She married Raymond H. KINGMA on 7 October 1939 in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.  Raymond was born 22 November 1912 and died 12 June 1961 in Indiana.  They are buried in Lafayette, Indiana.  They had a daughter named Gloria Frances (born 1947).

3. Alberta Irene Brown was born 28 December 1910 in Clinton County, Indiana and died 27 Aug 2006 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Alberta married Charles I. SHEETS, son of Russell Sheets and Nellie Wilson, on 3 Sept 1938.  Charles was born 10 November 1911 in Clinton County, Indiana and died 9 June 2005 in Frankfort, Indiana.  They are buried in Hopewell Cemetery in Frankfort, Indiana. .  They had 2 children:  Wayne Alan Sheets (born 1942) and Harriet Ann Sheets (born 1946).

4. Nelson Joseph Brown was born 4 March 1913 in Rossville, Clinton County, Indiana and died 10 December 1996 in Indiana.  Nelson married Katharine F. GOCHENOUR who was born 26 March 1912.  They had 2 sons: Alan William Brown (born 1943) and Hal Gordon Brown (born 1947).

5. Ward E. Brown was born 8 June 1917 in Clinton County, Indiana and died 8 May 1986 in Clinton County, Indiana.  He married Gladys L. HUFFORD who was born 14 March 1917 in Clinton County, Indiana.  They had 3 children:  Herbert Lynn Brown (born 1944), Janet Kay Brown (born 1948), Carol Sue Brown (born 1951).

6. Miriam Ruth Brown was born 1 May 1920 in Clinton County, Indiana and died 27 January 2005 in Indiana.  She married Robert L. LIPP who was born 4 June 1920 in Clinton County, Indiana.   They had 2 daughters: Joyce Ann Lipp  (born 1946) and Jean Lynnette Lipp (born 1949).

ABBIE ZEENA KNAPPENBERGER (1885-1922)

Abbie Zeena was born 30 January 1885 in Indiana and died 25 March 1922 in Clinton County, Indiana. Newspaper records indicate that she was "killed".   Abbie is buried in St. Luke's Cemetery, Clinton Co., Indiana.   Abbie married Harry Jacob BURKHALTER, son of William Burkhalter and Sarah Bogle, on 4 February 1903 in Clinton County, Indiana.   Harry was born 7 February 1880 in Clinton County, Indiana and died April 1946.  They had one son:

1.  Cletus H. Burkhalter was born 9 January 1906 in Clinton County, Indiana and died October 1965.

INFANT SON KNAPPENBERGER (1886-1886)

An infant son was born 7 May 1886 in Indiana and died shortly after birth.   He is buried in St. Luke Cemetery, Clinton County, Indiana.

OTTIE AGNES KNAPPENBERGER (1888-1972)

Ottie Agnes was born 27 June 1888 in Clinton County, Indiana and died 13 April 1972 in Clinton County, Indiana.  She first married Jesse Truman BURNS about 1906.  Jesse was born 9 Nov 1881 in Indiana and died April 1938. Ottie then married William B McCRAY on 6 March 1941 in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.  William was born 12 March 1876 and died August 1952. Ottie and Jesse had two daughters:

1.  Lavonne Burns was born about 1908 in Clinton County, Indiana.

2.  Audrey E. Burns was born February 1920 in Clinton County, Indiana.

JOHN PHILIP KNAPPENBERGER (1891-1940)

John Philip was born 4 May 1891 in Clinton County, Indiana and died 30 July 1940 in Howard Co. Indiana.  He married Maude SHEETS, daughter of Sanford Sheets and Alice Beard,  25 Sept 1920 in Indiana.  Maude was born 23 July 1884 in Clinton Co., Indiana and died July 1950 in Indiana.  In the 1930 census, they were living in Honey Creek Township, Howard County, Indiana and had been married 9 years.  They are buried in Hopewell Cemetery, Frankfort, Clinton Co., Indiana.  No children were listed in the 1930census.   John committed suicide by hanging at his place of work and left a note for his wife that read "Sorry that I must leave you now, but perhaps for the best".

Can you add more information to this family?  
If so contact us at jsappleton@windstream.net     
Thank you!

SPECIAL THANKS TO

• Shirley Knappenberger Davis

• Royce Knappenberger

• Joyce Knappenberger

• Marjorie Knappenberger Taylor

• The Brown Family

• Debra Beheler

• Judy Lashbrook