JOHN ADAM KNAPPENBERG
FAMILY OF NEW YORK STATE

 

Johan Michael
(1709-1751)
V
Johan Henrich
(1744-1818)
V
John Adam
(1769-1830)
V
Salome “Sarah” Katherine (1793-1884) > 11 Children
Maria Catherine “Polly” (1795-1879) >7 Children
Jacob (1797-1866)
Johan George (1799-?)
Henry B. (1803-1887) > 8 Children
Margaret (1805-1891) > 4 Children
Joseph (1808-1884)
Samuel(1808-1812)
Adam (1811-c1860) > 3 Children
John (1814-1873)

 

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 bornMayt 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  The name was spelled Knappenberger and Knappenberg in records but eventually the family name became Knappenberg (no er).

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 County, NY.   Sarah and Jacob had the following eleven children.

1. Katherine (or Catherine) Hartman was born October18102 in Sparta, New York and died14 February 1903  in Livingston County, NY.  She married Henry HARRISON, a blacksmith, about 1834.  Henry was born12 April  1806 in Massachusetts and died1 July1888  in Livingston County, NY.  Theyare buried in Greenmount Cemetery, Livingston County, NY.  They had the following  children:

a.  George F. Harrison was born about 1835 in Livingston County, NY and died 1 October 1899 in Livingston County, NY  He is buried in Bath National Cemetery, Steuben County, New York.

b.  Jane Harrison was born 1383 and died 27 May 1841 in Livingston County, New York.  She is buried in Greenmount Cemetery.

c.  Mary Catherine Harrison was born April18401 in Livingston County, NY and died11 August 1910 in Rochester, Monroe County, NY.    It seems likely that she never married  She is buried in Greenmount Cemetery.

d.  James H. Harrison was born about 1848 in Livingston County, NY and died sometime  after 1900.

2. Mary Hartman known as “Polly”  was born23 April  1813 in Livingston County, New York and died 28 March 1897 in North Dansville, New York.  She is buried in Greenmount Cemetery.  She  first married Frederick HOUSE who was born1796 in New York   and die  14 November  1844. He is buried in Old Dansville Village Cemetery.  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  Dr. Reynale is buried in Greenmount Cemetery.

3.  Harriet Hartman was born 23 April 1813 in Livingston County, NY (twin to May) and died 25 October 1873 in Livingston County, New York.  She married Daniel INGERSOLL who was born 1 April 1806 in PA and died 25 March 1871 in Livingston County, NY.  They are buried in Greenmount Cemetery.   They had the following children:

a.  Prudence Ingersoll was born 1 April 1835 in Livingston County, NY and died 29 February 1836.  She is buried in Old Dansville Village Cemetery.

b.  Matilda Ingersoll was born about 1836 in Livingston County, NY.

c.  Mary C. Ingersoll ws born 1837 in Livingston County and died 28 September 1837.  She is buried in Old Dansville Village Cemetery.

d.  Adopted daughter:  Mary E. WALTAN who was born about 1857 in England.

4.  Frances Hartman was born in 1815 in Livingston County, New York and died 22 May 1887 there.  She married Orville TOUSEY, son of Grandison Tousey and Nancy Curtis about 1834.   Orville was born 2 April 1811 in Connecticut  and died 1 June 1867 in Dansville, Livingston County, 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 County, NY and died 24 August 1835 in Livingston County, NY.  He is buried in Greenmount Cemetery.

b.  Nancy “Jane” Tousey was born 14 September 1836 in Livingston County, NY and died 23 October 1885 in Avoca, NY.  She married George Allen SANDERS on 8 November 1856.  George was born 26 December 1835 in Covington, New York and died 9 October 1910 in Utica, NY.  They had three children that are known:

  • Mitta Sanders born about 1857 in Livingston County, NY.
  • William Reynale Sanders born 6 August 1863 in Livingston County, NY and died 28 January 1928 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio.  He married Maybelle Haskin on 4 November 1886 in Avoca, NY.  May was born 15 September 1865 in Haskinville, NY and died sometime after 1930.   William and May had a son Cameron Haskin Sanders (5 January 1890-7 October 1988).
  • Lulu B. Sanders born about 1866 in New York.

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

d. Sarah C. Tousey was born 10 April 1838 in Livingston County, NY and died 9 September 1901.  She married Major Azariah Conger BRUNDAGE, son of Abraham Brundage and Elizabeth Conger, on 18 November 1863.  Azariah was born 20 January 1837 in Steuben County,NY and died July 1909 in Steuben County, NY.   Azaraiah served in the Civil War.  Theyare buried in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Hammonsport, Steuben County, NY.   They  had two children:  Myron T. Brundage born 21 July 1866 and Elizabeth Frances Brundage born 2 February 1868.

e.  Harriett E. Tousey was born 6 November 1841 in Livingston County, NY and died1912.  She married Chauncey Knapp SAUNDERS, son of Benjamin Saunders and Hulda Knapp about 1861.  Chauncey was born October 1837 in Livingston County, NY and died 22 September 1919.  They are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Livingston County, NY.  They  had four children:

  • Harry Sanders was born 4 October 1862 and died 3 July 1880.
  • Fanny T. Sanders, born 19 July 1865, married Frank S. THOMAS.
  • Chauncey Kelsey Sanders was born 18 October 1876 in Livingston County, NY and died November 1956 in Broward County, Florida.  He married Mabel SMITH, born about 1881 in New York, and had three sons: Claude K. Sanders, Walter B. Sanders and Frank L. Sanders.
  • Walter Benjamin Sanders was born 11 April 1878 and died June 1971 in Livingston County, NY.  He married Georgia A. ROWELL, born about 1877 in NY, and had two children: Donald R. Sanders (1908-2000) and G. Louise Sanders.

f.  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 born4 October 1847 in Steuben County, NY and died 2 February 1919.  They are buried in Greenmount Cemetery. They  had four children:

  • Orville Heckman Tousey born June 1869 in Livingston County, NY.
  • Henry A. Tousey born about 1871 in Livingston County, NY and died 2 April 1901.  He married Sadie B. FRETTS who was born 5 February 1871 and died 1959.  She is buried in Greenmount Cemetery.
  • Frank S. Tousey born about 1873 in Livingston County, NY.
  • Thomas E. Tousey born November 1877 in Livingston County, NY.  He married Mary B. in 1908 who was born about 1884 in NY.  They had a son, Thomas Grandison Tousey, born 23 January 1910 and died August 1975.

g.  Frances C. Tousey born1  December 1848 in Livingston County, NY and died 10 May 1910 in Livingston County, NY.  She is buried in Greenmount Cemetery.

5. Lydia Ann  Hartman was born 4 November  1817 in Livingston County, New York and died 8 August 1898 in Montgomery County, New York.  She married Rev. Martin J. STOVER, son of Jacob M. Stover and Christine Wetsel, on 24 August 1837.   Martin was born 1 February 1807 in Rensselaer County, New York and died 27 November 1898 in Montgomery County, New York.  They are buried in Green Hill Cemetery, Montgomery County,  New York.  They had five sons:

a. Jacob Hartman Stover born 1838 and died 27 August 1840 in Montgomery County, NY.  He is buried in Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery.

b. James Hartman Stover born 18 June 1840 in Montgomery County NY and died 2 September 1891 in Tompkins County, NY.  He married Martha COLEMAN in 1868.  She was born in 1847 and died 26 April 1908 in Tompkins County, NY.  They are buried in Grove Cemetery, Tompkins County, NY.

c. Martin L. Stover born about 1846 in NY.  He served in the New York Assembly and was also a justice on the New York Supreme Court.  He married Helen [maiden name unknown] who was born about 1855 in New York.

d. George B. Stover was born abut1849 in Montgomery County, NY.   George married Josephine [maiden name unknown] who was born about 1849 in New York.

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

6. Margaret Hartman was born about 1819 in Livingston County, NY and died sometime after 1870 most likely in Michigan.  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 H. Eaton (born 3 August 1840 in Livingston County New York and died 14 December 1904 in Washtenaw County, Michigan), 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 County, NY and died 12 September 1880.  He is buried in Greenmount Cemetery.

 

MARYA “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 County, New York.  She married Philip KERSHNER, son of Philip Kershner and Christiana Ridenour, in 1814.  Philip was born14 October  1784 in Washington County, Maryland and died 12 October 1850 in Steuben  County, New York.  They are buried in Greenmount Cemetery, Livingston County, NY.   They had the following children:

1.  Philip Kershner was born 1813 and died 2 June 1877 in Livingston County, NY.  He married Christina Ann [maiden name may be SOMES] who was born 1811 in Vermont and died 23 Aug 1864 in Livingston County, NY.  They are buried in Greenmount Cemetery.  They had five children: Catherine Kershner (1 Nov 1837-4 Sept 1920) who married William Denna Price; Mary Kershner (born about 1839); William H. Kershner (12 Sept 1840-30 Jan 1920); John Kershner (1845-29 March 1878) who married Frances G.; and Peter W. Kershner (April  1849-1913)  who married Louisa E (1863-1885) and then Mary (born March 1863).

2.  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 August 1808 in Connecticut and died May 1855.   They are buried in Greenmount Cemetery.  They had a son: Alfred J. Burr (born October 1834 in New York and died July 1873 and also buried in Greenmount Cemetery).

3. Nathaniel D. Kershner was born 8 May 1817 in Livingston County, NY and died 1844 in Steuben County, NY.  He is buried in Greenmount Cemetery.

4. Henry Adam Kershner was born 26 March 1820 in Steuben County, NY and died 24 August 1892 in Steuben County, NY.  He married Elizabeth A. OSBORNE who was born 1819 and died 29 January 1850 in Steuben County, NY.  They had two children: William Henry Kershner (1843-1877) and  Frances A. Kershner (1945-5 February 1863).  This family is buried in Green Mount Cemetery.  Henry remarried to H. Maria SHUTT, daughter of Johannes Shutt and Christina Wilti, in 1850.  Maria was born 26 August 1827 in Livingston County, 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 the child of Henry and Elizabeth.  He was born 18 May 1843 in Dansville, NY and died 13 March 1877.  He married Charlotte Lenora LOVE on 25 September 1867.  Charlotte was born 26 January 1849 and died September 1913.  They had two children:  Benjamin Vale Kershner (7 June 1869 in NY-1933) who married Mary “Maude” ALLEN (1 April 1869 in DC-23 October 1959) and Beatrice Elizabeth Kershner (11 October 1876 in NY-16 August 1899) who married Frederick E. SNOOK.

b.  Frances A. Kershner, the child of Henry and Elizabeth, was born 1845 in New York and died 5 February 1863.

c.  Elizabeth Alvaretta Kershner was the child of Henry and Maria.  She was born December 1850 in Steuben County, NY and died 5 July 1943.   She married Robert Franklin WHALEY known as Frank in 1875.  Frank was born May 1842 in NY and died10 April 1923.  They had 3 children:  Elizabeth L. Whaley (May 1876-1934) who married Elmer L. DUNN (1866-1939) Robert Henry Whaley (20 July 1880-17 March 1926) who married Jetti May Sharpsteen (12 June 1886-1953) and Edward Arnold Whaley (4 June 1884-1979) who first married Martha Ann GILMORE (1887-1916) and later Alice E.O’Brien (born 1889) but this marriage ended in divorce.

d.  Robert Campbell Kershner was the child of Henry and Maria.  He was born 22 April 1857 in Steuben County, PA and died January 1944.  He married Carrie ROBINSON, daughter of William H. Robinson and Sarah D. Owen, on 12 January 1881.  Carrie was born June 1859 in NY and died in the 1920s in Monroe County, NY.  They had a daughter:  Florence Marie Kershner (June 1882 NY) who married and divorced a Mr. Osler.

5. Joseph Kershner was born 1824 in Livingston County, NY and died April 1865 in New York.  He is buried in Green Mount Cemetery.

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

7. Benjamin Franklin Kershner was born 15 September 1829 in Livingston County, New York and died 14 March 1887 in Steuben County, NY.  He married Eliza Lida SOUTHMAYD who was born 4 July 1831 in Allegany County New York and died 31 December 1922 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.  They are buried in Greenmount Cemetery.  They had three children:

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

b.  Lilla Clare Kershner was born April 1866 in Steuben County, NY and died after 1920 most likely in Monroe County, New York.  She married Charles S. BROWNING who was born November 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 who was born August 1897 in NY and died February 1969 in Bexar County, Texas.  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 December 1857 in PA and died between 1910 and 1920 in New York.  They had a daughter: Ruth M. Walter who was 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 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)

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.” They are buried in Union Corners Cemetery, West Sparta, Livingston County, NY.    Henry and Elizabeth had the following eight children.


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

1. Mary C. Knappenberg was born 31 March 1836 in Livingston County, New York and died during the 1860s.  She married James BEVIER who was born 11 September 1834 in Binghamton, NY and died sometime after 1880.  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 22 September 1905 in Livingston County, NY.  She was married three times.  Her first marriage was to John VAN DEVENTER in 1855.  John was born 1835 in Livingston County, NY and died 21 January 1868 in Livingston County, NY.  He is buried in Scipio Cemetery, Livingston County, New York.  Her second marriage was to Adam BEVIER, son of Andrew Bevier and Elizabeth Ellston, on 22 January 1862 in Steubenn County, NY.  Adam died sometime between 1862 and 1867 (possibly in the Civil War?).  They had one son. Elizabeth’s third marriage was to Andrew SEDAM [original spelling was SWYDERN], son of Daniel P. Sedam and Cynthia Bergen, in 1867.  Andrew was born November 1832 in Livingston County, NY and died 10 July 1906 in Ontario County, New York.  Elizabeth and Andrew are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Nunda, Livingston County, NY.  They had four children.

a.  William Jackson Bevier was the son of Elizabeth and Adam Bevier.  He was born 27 December 1862 in Richland County,  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 August 1893 in Perry, NY.  Anna was born 20 July 1866 in Livingston County,  NY and 30 March 1955 in Livingston County, NY.  They had a daughter and a son: Elizabeth Belle Bevier (born April 1896) who married Edward A. WEBER; Robert Abraham Bevier (born 1 July 1898 in Livingston County, NY).

b. Daniel P. Sedam was the son of Elizabeth and Andrew Sedam.  He 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 January 1898 in Livingston County, NY) and Cecil A. Sedam (born December 1899 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 the son of Elizabeth and Andrew Sedam.  He was born January 1870 in Livingston County, New York.  He married Mae L. [maiden name unknown] about 1895.  Mae was born August 1875 in New York.  They had one son:  Fletcher Miller Sedam (born 4 January 1896 in Livingston County, New York) who married about 1926 to Lillian M. [maiden name unknown] (born about 1895 in New York).

d. Harriet J. Sedam was the daughter of Elizabeth and Andrew Sedam.  She was born about 1873 in Livingston County, NY.  She married C.A. BERGEN.

e. Child Sedam,was the child of Elizabeth and Andrew Sedam, was born about 1880 in Livingston County, 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 are buried in Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska.  They  had the following children:

a.  Edward James Robinson was born 8 June 1863 in Livingston County, NY and died 8 February 1916 in Chicago, Cook County, 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 County, Missouri and died 13 March 1923 in Los Angeles, California.  They are buried in Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska.  They had three sons:

  • Ralph Cornell Robinson born 8 June 1891 in Lancaster County, Nebraska.  He married Beulah E. NELSON on 5 August 1919 in South Dakota.  Beulah was born about 1900 in Nebraska.
  • Paul Edward Robinson born 28 October 1896 in  Lancaster County, Nebraska who married Hazel REED in 1919.  Hazel was born 24 October 1899 in Illinois and died 26 August 1998 in California.
  • Carl B. Robinson was born February 1898 in South Dakota.

b. Henry Levi Robinson was born 29 September 1865 in Livingston County, NY and died 6 December 1938 in Buchanan County, Missouri,  He married Carrie Alice FLUCARD on 28 November 1889.  Carrie was born February 1861 in Indiana and died 16 May 1961 in Pinellas County, Florida.  They had two children:  Harold E. Robinson (born 1 October 1894 in Buchanan County, Missouri and died November 1964 in Dallas County, Texas) and Ona M. Robinson (born April 1897 in Buchanan County, Missouri).

c.  Charles Warner Robinson was born 9 October 1867 in Livingston County, NY and died 22 September 1945 in Lincoln, Nebraska.  He married Minnie J. KAAR, daughter of Theodore Kaar and Sarah Ann Smith, on 3 August 1895 in Nebraska.  Minnie was born 2 June 1873 in Bureau County, IL  and died 6 June 1949 in Lincoln, Nebraska.  They are buried in Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska.  They had thirteen children all born in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska:  Helen R. Robinson (born 25 August 1894), Donald K. Robinson (born 24 April 1896 and died young), Bernice Robinson (born 3 October 1898 and died young), Charles Warner Robinson, Jr. (born 27 January 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 1993), 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 December 1878 in Lincoln, Nebraska and died October 1953 in Windham County, Vermont.  Denton is buried in Wyuka Cemetery.  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 County, NY and died 5 January 1915 in Livingston County, NY.  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 Charles Drake Marsh and Theresa Ross, about 1865.  Elizabeth known as Betsey  was born June 1838 in Livingston County, NY  and died1903 in Nunda,  Livingston County, NY.  They had two children.

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 County, New York.  They had no children.

b.  Henry S. Knappenberg was born 1875 in Nunda, Livingston County, NY and died there in 1876.  He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Nunda, Livingston County, NY.

5. Jacob Knappenberg was born 26 March 1843 in Livingston County, NY and died 11 November 1915 in Livingston County, NY.  Jacob married Frances BERGEN about 1870.  Frances  was born 5 May 1848 in New York and died in 1920 in Livingston County, NY.  They are buried in Mt. Morris City Cemetery, Livingston County, New York.  They  had a daughter:

a.  Mabel V. Knappenberg was born August 1871 in Livingston County, 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 she was 58 and single.

6. Frances G. Knappenberg was born 1 June 1845 and died 9 August 1845 in Livingston County, 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, daughter of Samuel Creveling and Catherine Miller about 1868.  Frances  was born 8 April18497 and died 6 April 1880 in Livingston County, NY.   They are buried in Union Corners Cemetery.  John Henry and Frances had four children.  John Henry then married Ida M. DALRYMPLE, daughter of Amos O. Dalrymple and Francis M. Darling, about 1882.  Ida was born 14 August 1856 in Livingston County, NY and died30 March  1922 in Livingston County, NY.  Ida was the postmistress of West Sparta, Livingston County, New York in 1898.  John Henry and Ida had three children.

a.  Georgiana Knappenberg known as “Georgia” was the child of John Henry and Frances.  She was born 17 February 1870in Livingston County, NY  and died between 1910 and 1920.  She married William J. O’HERN who was born May 1871 in New York state and died 12 March 1931 in Long Beach, California.  He was buried in Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Rochester, New York.  They had two daughters:

  • Mary Francis O’Hern was born August 1896 in New York state.  In 1930 census, she was living in Rochester, NY and was 33 years of age and single.  She was a music teacher in the public schools.
  • Veronica E. O’Hern was born 9 February 1898 in New York state and died July 1981 in Rochester, Monroe County, NY.  She married James Henry CAREY, son of James and Mary Carey, about 1925.  J. Henry was born December 1865 in New York state and died sometime after 1940.  J. Henry Carey was a dentist.  They had four children:  Noreen A. Carey (born about 1926), Jane Carey (born about 1928), William Carey (born about 1933) and John Carey (born about 1938).

b.  Elizabeth Knappenberg known as “Lizzie” was the child of John Henry and Frances.  She was born 29 September 1871 in Livingston County, New York and died9 May 1912  in North Dansville, Livingston County,NY.  She is buried in Union Corners Cemetery.  She married Charles J. LABOYTEAUX, son of Auten and Sarah M. LaBoyteaux,on 23 August 1898.  It seems that this marriage ended in divorce.  Charles was born February 1868 in New York and died after the 1930 census.  No children were born to this union.  Charles along with his father was a dentist.

c. Mary Rose Knappenberg was the child of John Henry and Frances.  She was born 1 August 1875 in Livingston County, NY and died1938 in Ontario County, NY.  She married Dana Hyder BEAN, son of Frank A. Bean and Sarah Magee, in 1903.  Dana was born 6 July 1876 in Livingston County, New York and died after 1938.  It seems that they had no children.  Dana was a farmer  They are buried in Union Cemetery, Scottsburg, Livingston County, NY.

d. Kittie Knappenberg was the child of John Henry and Frances.  She was born 18 April 1877 and died 18 July 1878.  She is buried in Union Corners Cemetery, Livingston County, New York.

e.  Vera D. Knappenberg was the child of John Henry and Ida.  She was born April 1885 in Livingston County, NY and died 3 March 1965 in Wyoming County, New York.  Vera married Cameron A. ROWE, son of Cameron N. and Mary May Rowe, about 1922.  He was born 10 March 1893 in Livingston County, NY and died sometime after 1940.  They are buried in Union Cemetery, Scottsburg, Livingston County,  NY.  They had two children:  John Cameron Rowe (4 August 1923-29 May 2007) who married Dolores Jane Schlageter (7 September 1928-26 September 1997) and Jane Rowe (born 26 September 1926).

f. Henry W. Knappenberg was the child of John Henry and Ida.  He was born 30 January 1891 and  died 8 February 1892  He is buried in Union Corners Cemetery, Livingston County, NY.

g. Ruth Knappenberg was the child of John Henry and Ida.  She was born 28 April 1895 in Livingston County, NY and died 16 February 1965.  She married Harold Roberts BROWN, M.D., son of Leslie T. and Daisy C. Brown about 1924.  Harold was born 24 January 1897 in Scholarie County, 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 1860-1861 in Caledonia, Livingston County, New York.  James and Emma had two children.  James remarried about 1861 to Theresa C. [maiden name unknown] who was born about 1840 in New York and died 1910-1920 in Livingston County, NY.  James and Theresa had at least three children.

a.  Fremont Sinclair was the child of James and Emma.  He was born about 1855 in Livingston County, New York and died 1860-1870.

b.  Duncan Sinclair was the child of James and Emma.  He was born about 1857 in Livingston County, New York.

c.  Frank Sinclair was the child of James and Theresa.  He was born about 1862 and died sometime before 1910.

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

e.  Margaretta Sinclair was the child of James and Theresa.  She was born 1880 in Caledonia, Livingston County, NY and married Daniel W. PETERS about 1903.  Daniel was born about 1880 in New York.  They had 7 children: Florence C. Peters (born about 1905), Ethel M. Peters (born about 1906), Beatrice M. Peters (born about 1909), Doris L. Peters (born about 1913), Emory C. Peters (12 May 1912-April 1984) and Alton D. Peters (22 January 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 December 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.

 

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 (1808-1812)

Samuel was born 1808 in Dansville, New York and seems to be the twin of Joseph.  Samuel died 30 July 1812 in Livingston County, NY.  He is buried in South Sparta Cemetery, Livingston County, New York.

 

ADAM KNAPPENBERG (1811-c1860)

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.  Adam then married Grace MORRIS in 1842.  Grace was born in Clifton Springs, New York.  They had one child named 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.

1. Katherine Knappenberg was the child of Adam and Phoebe.  She was born 1 April 1836 in Livingston County, New York and died on 29 November 1916 in Livingston County, New York.  She never married.

2. Jane known as  Jennie Knappenberg was the child of Adam and Phoebe.  She 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.

3. John Adam Knappenberg known as “Adam” was the child of Adam and Grace.  He was born 23 December 1842 in Livingston County, New York and died 21 September 1917 in Dansville, Livingston County, New York.  John Adam Knappenberg married Sarah Frances CARPENTER, daughter of Thorn Carpenter and Loretta Leroy, in 1873.  Sarah was born March 1845 and died 15 September 1938 in Buffalo, Erie County, NY.  In her later years, Sarah lived with her daughter, Loretta L. Knappenberg.  They had four children.

a. Grace Knappenberger was born February 1874 in Livingston County, NY and died sometime after the 1930 census.   She married Robert L. MERRELL, son of Jay C. and Henrietta Merrell, on 13 July 1897.  Robert was born 12 April 1871 in Wayne County, NY and died 1959 in Livingston County, New York.  They had two children:

  • Robert Jay Carpenter Merrell who was born 10 July 1904 in Livingston County, NY and died 26 October 1982 in Scott County, TN.  He married Victorine Schenk, daughter of Victor Schenk and Josephine Baker.  Victorine was born 21 February 1908 in Cooperstown, NY and died 21 September 2001 on Scott County, TN.  They are buried in Carson Memorial Cemetery, Scott County, TN.
  • Gertrude Loretta Merrell was born 27 March 1906 in Livingston County, NY and died 5 August 1992 in Chelan County, Washington.  She married Warner “Bruce” NASH, son of Warrer Henry Nash and Mary C. Miller, on 3 July 1934.  Bruce was born 3 August 1907 in Hampshire County, MA and died 29 January 1985 in Riverside County, California.  They are buried in Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside County, California.

b. Loretta L. Knappenberg, MD was born March 1876 in Livingston County, New York and died 13 September 1962 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.  Dr. Knappenberg never married but had a long time companion, Mabel C. Tenney.  Loretta adopted a daughter:

  • Angela C. Knappenberg was born 21 December 1911 and died 17 January 1991.  She had a son out-of-wedlock in about 1930 who was given up for adoption.  Later, Angela married a Mr. PRATT and had two sons: John Pratt and Paul Pratt.

c. Joseph Thorne Knappenberg was born 28 January 1880 in Dansville, Livingston County, New York and died 7 June 1945 in Klickitat County, Washington.  He is buried in the Mountain View Cemetery, Klickitat County, Washington.  He married Helen B. VILOTT, daughter of Isaac Compton Vilott and Sarah Jane Minkler, on 27 January 1909 in Multnomah County, Oregon.  Helen was born 27 July 1871 in Grant County,  Oregon and died May 1967 in Portland, Oregon.  Helen is buried in High View Cemetery, Morrow County, Oregon.  Helen had been married previously  and had 4 children from that marriage.  Joseph T. Knappenberg was an attorney at law and married at the age of 41.  It seems that this couple had no children.

d. Charles William Knappenberg was born 20 January 1885 in Livingston County, NY and died 1952.  He  served during World War I.  Charles married Mabel E.  FRAZIER who was born 18 December 1888 in New York and died April 1984 in Livingston County, NY.   Charles was a lawyer and served as district attorney for Livington County, New York from 1921 to 1923.  They are buried in GreenMount Cemetery, Dansville, NY.  They had a daughter and son:

  • Janice Knappenberg was born 1929 in Livingston County, NY.  She married a Mr. BLUM and had six children.
  • Charles E. Knappenberg was born 1931 and died 1931 in Livingston County, NY.  He is buried in Green Mount Cemetery.

 

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

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.

Patti Moss for her invaluable help with the John Henry Knappenberg and Frances E. Creveling family.

Lesa VanSon for her research on David Frank Sinclair!