THOMAS KNAPPENBERGER FAMILY
OF CARBON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Johan Michael
(1709-1751)
V
Johan Henrich
(1744-1818)
V
Johan Henrich Jr
(1781-1833)
V
Thomas (1809 -1857) and Salome “Sarah” Gruber (1814-1835)
V
Abraham (1833-1904) > 9 Children
Carolina (1835-?)
Thomas (1809 -1857) and Caroline Greenzweig (1816-after 1880)
V
Catherine (1838-1912) > 10 Children
Charles (1840-1862)
Elizabeth (1842-?)
“Annanetta” Hannah Amanda (1844-1880s) > 4 Children
Lucy Ann (1846-?) > 6 Children
Sarah Jane (1848-1920) > 12 Children
Thomas Frederick (1849-1930) > 14 Children
Angelina (1853-1857)
James Henry (1855-1917) > 14 Children
GENERAL INFORMATION
Thomas, son of Johan Henry Knappenberger, Jr., was born 4 August 1809 in Macungie Township, Northampton County (later to be Lehigh County), PA and died 1857 in Polk Township, Monroe County, PA. Thomas married Salome GRUBER known as “Sarah” on 23 June 1831. Sarah was born 17 April 1814 and died 21 July 1835. Thomas and Sarah had two children. Sarah died shortly after the birth of her second child. Thomas then married Caroline GREENZWEIG, daughter of Daniel and Catherine Greenzweig. Caroline was born 24 December 1816 in Moore Township, Northampton County, PA. In 1850 Thomas, Caroline and children were living in Polk Township, Monroe County, PA. Together they had nine children. After Thomas’ death in 1857, Caroline became a housekeeper in the household of Phillip C. Dutter in Polk Township, Monroe County, PA where she lived in the 1860 and 1870 census. Her youngest son, James Henry Knappenberger lived with her in the Dutter household. By the 1880 census, Caroline Knappenberger is listed as 64 years of age, “mother”, in the household of her married son, James Henry Knappenberger in Tunkhannock Township, Monroe County, PA. Caroline died sometime after 1880.
CHILDREN OF THOMAS KNAPPENBERGER AND SALOME “SARAH” GRUBER
ABRAHAM KNAPPENBERGER (1833-1904)
Abraham was born 30 January 1833 in Carbon County, PA and died 15 November 1904 in Palmerton, Carbon County, PA. The 1880 census lists Abraham Knappenberger as a teamster living in Lower Towamensing Township, Carbon County, PA with his wife, Clara, and children. Abraham married Clara GREENZWEIG, daughter of David and Sarah Greenzweig. Clara was born about 1835 in Upper Towamensing Township, Carbon County, PA. This couple had nine children. For more information about this family, click on his name above.
CAROLINA KNAPPENBERGER (1835-?)
Carolina was born 12 July 1835 in Carbon County, PA. Her mother died 21 July 1835 – just nine days after her birth. Carolina was not listed in the 1850 census with her father and his second wife though her brother Abraham was listed. We know nothing further of her at this time.
CHILDREN OF THOMAS KNAPPENBERGER AND CAROLINE GREENZWEIG
CATHERINE KNAPPENBERGER (1838-1912)
Catherine was born 3 January 1839 in Monroe County, PA and died 31 January 1912 in Lehigh County, PA. She married William A. SMITH, son of John A. Smith and Catherine Solt, on 26 November 1856 in Weissport, Carbon County, PA. William was born 14 August 1833 in Pennsylvania and died 29 June 1909 in Lehigh County, PA. In the 1910 census, Catherine is listed as a widow living in her son’s, John F. Smith’s, household. They are buried in Fairview Cemetery, Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, PA. Catherine and William had ten children.
1. Sarah B. Smith was born December 1856 in Carbon County, PA. She married Alexander SMITH who died between 1890 and 1900 in Lehigh County, PA. Sarah and Alexander had 4 children: Robert Smith (born September 1880), Raymond Smith (born October 1881), Roy Smith (born May 1883) and Ezra Alexander Smith (born 16 February 1890).
2. Leanda Smith was born 5 February 1859 in Carbon County, PA and died 14 February 1926 in Lehigh County, PA. She married John W. BELTZ who was born 13 April 1852 in PA and died 10 April 1904 in Lehigh County, PA. They are buried in Coplay Cemetery, Lehigh County, PA. They had 3 children: Sarah E. Beltz (born February 1876), William H. Beltz (April 1880-prior to 1900) and Harvey C. Beltz (born June 1892).
3. William R. Smith was born 4 April 1862 in Carbon County, PA and died 30 August 1927 in Lehigh County, PA. He married Kathryn A. SILFIES in 1885. Kathryn was born about 1866 in PA. They had 4 children: Helen L. Smith (born about 1886) who married a Mr. SCHREIBER who died about 1919, Florence C.B. Smith (born about 1888) who married August Charles KOMATOWSKI (born 31 August 1883), Ruth S. Smith (born about 1891) and Hubert W. Smith (born about 1904).
4. Lewis “Milton” Smith was born about 1865 in Carbon County, PA. He married Mary A. [maiden name unknown] who was born about 1870 in PA. The 1910 census for Lehigh County, PA lists 6 children: William H. Smith (born about 1892), Frank U. Smith (born about 1894), Earl H. Smith (born about 1901), Mamie E. Smith (born about 1902), Milton J. Smith (born about 1904), Beatrice M. Smith (born about 1907).
5. Ellen Amanda Smith was born about 1868 in PA. She married John BLEILER.
6. Charles A. Smith was born 1870 in Carbon County, PA. He married Annie S. KAEGLOW (?) born about 1876 in PA. In the 1910 census for Lehigh County, they had 4 children: Ralph A. Smith (born about 1902), David K. Smith (born about 1903), Frederick C. Smith (born about 1905) and Mary K. Smith (born about 1907).
7. Quinton Harvey Smith was born about 1872 in PA. He married Sallie [maiden name unknown] who was born about 1872 in PA. The 1910 census for Lehigh County lists four children: Olivia Smith (born about 1896), Charles Smith (born about 1898), Weslyn Smith (born about 1900) and Quinton Harvey Smith, Jr. (born about 1908).
8. John Frank Smith was born 7 October 1874 in PA. He married UNKNOWN who died sometime between 1900 and 1910. The 1910 census for Lehigh County indicates that he was widowed with 2 children: Helen I. Smith (born about 1896) and Russell W. Smith (born about 1909).
9. Edwin Smith
10. Irwin Smith was born February 1881. He married Sarah [maiden name unknown] about 1900. Sarah was born January 1882 in PA. They were living with his parents in the 1900 census in Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, PA.
CHARLES KNAPPENBERGER (1840-1862)
Charles was born 1840 in Monroe County, PA and died 1 December 1862 from the wounds he suffered during the Civil War at the Battle of Antietam in Maryland on 17 September 1862. The casualty sheet lists him as being wounded with the 28th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry near Sharpsburg, Maryland and states he was part of the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Corps. He is buried at Antietam National Cemetery in grave 4050 with his name misspelled as “Knoppenberger” on the stone. Charles joined the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry on 17 August 17 1861 and was mustered in 30 August 1861. After being wounded, he was transferred to the 147th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company C. His grave marker can be viewed on the Veterans Page. Charles was unmarried.
ELISABETH KNAPPENBERGER (1842-?)
Elisabeth was born 6 May 1842 in Polk Township, Monroe County, PA. She was christened on 17 November 1842 in St. Matthew’s Church in Kunkletown. Nothing further is known of her.
ANNANETTA (HANNAH AMANDA) KNAPPENBERGER (1844-1880s)
Anna, who was baptized as Hannah Amanda Knappenberger, was born 14 March 1844 in Polk Township, Monroe County, PA. She married William GORDON who was born October 1839 on 31 March 1861. They moved to Dauphin County, PA. In the 1880 census, they had four children. By the 1900 census, William Gordon was remarried to Mary [maiden name unknown] and had been married for 13 years. Therefore, we know that Anna Knappenberger Gordon died between 1880 and 1887.
1. Harvey Gordon was born October 1869 in Dauphin County, PA.
2. Lizzie Gordon was born about 1871 in Dauphin County, PA.
3. William Gordon was born about 1874 in Dauphin County, PA.
4. Benjamin Gordon was born about 1877 in Dauphin County, PA.
LUCY ANN KNAPPENBERGER (1846-?)
Lucy Ann was born April 1846 in Monroe County, PA. She was living with the George Greenzweig family in Lower Towamensing Township, Carbon County, PA in 1860 and listed as 13 years old. Lucy married Aaron GREEN about 1866. Aaron was born April 1841 in Parryville, Carbon County, PA. They both died sometime after the 1900 census when they were living in Lower Towamensing Township, Carbon County, PA. The 1900 census indicates that Lucy had given birth to 6 children of which 5 were alive in 1900.
1. Ida C. Green was born February 1867 in Carbon County, PA. About 1883, she married Allen M. BEALER who was born June 1862. In the 1900 census, they had six children.
a. Lillie A. Bealer was born May 1884.
b. Mamie E. Bealer was born November 1885.
c. Mabel M. Bealer was born February 1887.
d. Carrie O. Bealer was born January 1891.
e. William A. Bealer was born July 1893.
f. Allen M. Bealer was born April 1897.
2. James Franklin Green was born October 1868 in Carbon County, PA. In the 1900 census, he was 31 years of age, single, and living with his married sister, Ida Bealer.
3. Emma E. Green was born about 1872 in Carbon County, PA
4. John Henry Green was born 18 January 1875 in Carbon County, PA. He married Emma J. SEARFOSS about 1902. In the 1920 census for Lower Towamensing Township, Carbon County, PA, they had 4 children.
a. Grace I. Green was born about 1905
b. Allen H. Green was born about 1907.
c. Julia E. Green was born about 1909.
d. Lucy E. Green was born about 1911.
5. Ellen Elmira Green was born July 1878 in Carbon County, PA
SARAH JANE KNAPPENBERGER (1848-1920)
Sarah Jane was born 5 January 1848 in Polk Township, Monroe County, PA and died 8 February 1920 in Lehigh County, PA. Sarah married Elias BEIDLEMAN, son of Valentine Beidleman and Sophia Elizabeth Vannatta, on 22 September 1866. Elias was born 13 June 1836 in PA and died 23 April 1910 in Lehigh County, PA. Elias served in the Civil War in Company G, 46th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers. This couple is buried in St. John’s Union Cemetery, Mickleys, Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, PA. Elias and Sarah had 12 children of which 6 survived. We only know of 8 and have information on the following.
1. Infant Beidleman was born 1 June 1868 in Carbon County, PA and died 11 July 1868 in Carbon County, PA.
2. Emma Susan Beidleman was born 11 September 1869 in Carbon County, PA and died 14 October 1869 in Carbon County, PA.
3. Theodosia Beidleman was born 2 April 1871 in Carbon County, PA and died 14 March 1951 in Carbon County, PA. She married William Henry. ULSHAFER, Sr., son of Adam Ulshafer and Priscilla Lutz, on 25 May 1893. William was born 28 May 1866 in Luzerne County, PA and died 10 April 1942 in Carbon County, PA. They are buried in Parryville Cemetery in Carbon County, PA. This couple had eight children.
a. Bessie May Ulshafer was born 29 May 1894 and died 24 June 1977 in Carbon County, PA. She married Harry Oscar REPPERT on 18 April 1910. Harry was born 3 April 1889 and died 26 March 1934 in Palmerton, PA due to a train derailment. They are buried in Parryville Cemetery. They had the following children: William Charles Reppert (born 26 February 1914 and died 1944/45 in Europe where he is buried); Willard T. Reppert (1916-26 March 1968), Melvin O. Reppert (22 November 1920-10 October 1996); Margaret LaRus Reppert (12 September 1925-27 December 1990); Kermit Paul Reppert (21 August 1926-10 October 1991); Lois L. Reppert; Gladys Reppert; and Naomi Irene Reppert.
b. Amanda E. Ulshafer was born 10 July 1896 in Luzerne County, PA and died 3 January 1944 in Lehigh County, PA. She married Daniel Florentine SCHEIRER on 30 September 1916. Daniel was born 3 April 1895 in Lehigh County, PA and died in 28 April 1959 in Northampton County, PA. They are buried in Arlington Memorial Cemetery in Lehigh County PA.
c. Verna Ulshafer was born December 1898 in Carbon County, PA.
d. Eva I. Ulshafer was born 12 August 1902 and died 4 February 1995 in Carbon County, PA. She married Albertis E. FRITZINGER, son of Edwin and Emma J. Fritzinger, on 28 September 1918. Albertis was born 23 July 1897 and died 5 December 1976. They are buried in Parryville Cemetery. They had a daughter named Romaine Fritzinger.
e. Sarah Mildred Ulshafer was born 14 May 1906 and died 31 October 1997. She married Elmer Eugene STROHL on 28 July 1923. Elmer was born 20 March 1903 and died 4 March 1987. They are buried in Jerusalem Cemetery, Trachsville, PA.
f. Mayme P. Ulshafer was born 2 September 1908 and died 6 September 1936 in Carbon County, PA. She married Albert E. ALTHOUSE, son of John Althouse and Mary A. Ziegnfuss, on 5 March 1927. Albert was born 12 July 1906 and died January 1983. They are buried in Danielsville Union Cemetery, Northampton County, PA.
g. Evelyn Lauretta Ulshafer was born 1 February 1911 in Carbon County, PA and died 25 February 2001 in Coaldale, Northampton County, PA. She married Adam J. SAUERS on 3 March 1928. Adam was born 2 December 1906 in Germany and died 17 April 1974. They are buried in Lehighton Cemetery. They had two children: Carol Sauers and Richard Sauers.
h. William H. Ulshafer, Jr. was born 16 May 1913 in Carbon County, PA and died 17 March 1980 in Northampton County, PA. He married Evelyn R. WRIGHT on 12 October 1935. Evelyn was born 11 September 1916 and died 8 March 1986. They are buried in Parryville Cemetery. They had the following children: Judith Ann Ulshafer, Lamont V. Ulshafer (20 April 1942-6 June 1943), Timothy J. Ulshafer (11 June 1943-2 November 1943); Ronald/Roland Ulshafer, Roger Ulshafer, Darlene E. Ulshafer and Gregory Ulshafer.
4. Zachariah Beidleman was born 24 December 1872 in Carbon County, PA and died 10 January 1949 in Lehigh County, PA. Zachariah married Annie Marie HASSAER on 5 June 1902. Annie was born 16 June 1882 in PA and died 16 March 1968 in Lehigh County, PA. They are buried in St. John’s Union Cemetery, Mickleys, Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, PA. They had four children.
a. Adam E. Beidleman was born 4 June 1903 and died 7 August 1972. He married Ruth Catherine DUTTE, daughter of James Dutte and Jennie Johnson. Ruth was born 20 July 1908 in Lehigh County, PA and died 3 June 1954 in Lehigh County, PA. They had 3 children: David Dutte Beidleman, Virginia Mae Beidleman and Ethel R. Beidleman.
b. Walter Allen Beidleman was born 21 April 1905 in Lehigh County, PA and died November 1980 in Lehigh County, PA. He married Dorothy R. FRYE, daughter of Preston M. Frye and Dora Schieler, on 25 December 1926. Dorothy was born 18 April 1904 and died 8 December 1938 in Lehigh County, PA. They are buried in St. John’s Union Cemetery.
c. Russell Granville Beidleman was born 26 December 1909 and died 12 December 1966.
d. David Elwood Beidleman was born 20 April 1919 and died 12 May 1919 in Lehigh County, PA.
5. Harry Victor Beidleman was born 19 March 1878 in Carbon County, PA and died 12 July 1946 in Macungie, Lehigh County, PA. Harry is buried in Egypt Cemetery, Lehigh County, PA. He first married Katie E. FALK, daughter of Lewis Falk and Martha J. Ritz. Katie was born 6 July 1880 in in Pennsylvania and died 17 March 1911 in Lehigh County, PA. She is buried in Egypt Cemetery, Lehigh County, PA. He then married Gertrude P.I. HAAS, daughter of George Haas and Sarah Acker. Gertrude was born 16 July 1885 and died 23 March 1984 in Lehigh County, PA. She is buried in Egypt Cemetery. They had 7 children.
a. Martha F. Beidleman was born about 1903 in Lehigh County, PA.
b. Margaret M. Beidleman was born about 1904 in Lehigh County, PA.
c. William Arthur Beidleman was born 16 September 1911 in Lehigh County, PA and died 12 January 1988 in Hernando County, Florida.
d. Harry Victor Beidleman, Jr. was born 28 July 1913 and died 17 June 1992 in Pennsylvania. He is buried in Egypt Cemetery.
e. Curtis G. Beidleman was born 1 June 1915 and died 25 July 1989 He is buried in Woodland Memorial Cemetery, Lehigh County, PA. He married Lillian M. GEHO who was born in 1916 and died in 1993.
f. Jessie C. Beidleman, a daughter, was born 1917 in Lehigh County, PA.
g. Robert H. Beidleman was born about 1924 in Lehigh County, PA and died 2 August 2014. He married Margaret E. RAEDLER, daughter of Howard David Raedler and Anna Walbert. Margaret was born 1924 and died 18 October 2014. They had a daughter named Susan Beidleman.
6. Eva Beidleman was born 2 October 1882 in Carbon County, PA and was a twin of Adam [below]. She died sometime between 1930 and 1942. She married Monroe Samuel CONFER, son of Charles Confer and Katie Eberhard, about 1903. Monroe was born 5 August 1880 in Lehigh County, PA and died 24 December 1960 in Northampton County, PA. They had 2 daughters.
a. Verna M. Confer was born about 1904 and died May 1988 in Lehigh County, PA. She married Eugene E. WORLEY who was born 28 February 1902 and died May 1984.
b. Elsie E. Confer was born April 1910 in Northampton County, PA.
7. Adam Beidleman was born 2 October 1882 in Carbon County, PA and was a twin of Eva [above]. Adam died 11 January 1940 in Allentown, Lehigh County, PA. Adam married Mabel J. Eliza EISELE, daughter of James Franklin Eisele and Katie Alice Johnson, on 1 November 1903 in Lehigh County, PA. Mabel was born 7 March 1880 in PA. They are buried in Coplay Cemetery.
a. Lilly M. Beidleman was born about 1905 in Lehigh County, PA.
b. William James Elias Beidleman was born 11 September 1906 in Lehigh County, PA and died 8 July 1989 in Lehigh County, PA. He is buried in Coplay Cemetery. He first married Myrtle M. WOLFE, daughter of Erwin and Fannie Wolfe. Myrtle was born 15 November 1909 in Lehigh County, PA and died 28 February 1930 in Lehigh County, PA. She is buried in Coplay Cemetery with her two children: William James Elias Beidleman, Jr. (born about 1928) and Rosemarie C. Beidleman (17 December 1929-2 June 2008) who married Paul H. HECKMAN (1 October 1928-19 October 2009) on 27 June 1953. William James Elias Beidleman (Sr.) married a second time to Arlene Miriam HERB, daughter of Herman Herb and Ella Ziegenfuss. Arlene was born 20 April 1916 in Lehigh County, PA and died 4 May 1981 in Lehigh County, PA. She is buried in Coplay Cemetery. William and Arlene had 12 children.
c. James E. Beidleman was born 13 June 1909 in Lehigh County, PA and died 23 March 1920 in Lehigh County, PA from tetanus. He is buried in St. John’s Union Cemetery.
d. Catherine S. Beidleman was born about 1914 in Lehigh County, PA
e. Miriam L. Beidleman was born about 1916 in Lehigh County, PA.
f. Ethel Beidleman was born about 1919 in Lehigh County, PA
g. Norman Beidleman was born about 1923 in Lehigh County, PA.
8. Peauried Elias Beidleman was born 12 August 1884 in Carbon County, PA and died 25 August 1958 in Lehigh County, PA. He is buried in Coplay Cemetery. He first married Jennie S.E. EISELE, daughter of James Franklin Eisele and Katie Alice Johnson. Jennie was born 21 June 1888 and died 5 October 1908 in Lehigh County, PA. They had a son. Peauried then married Jennie’s sister, Lillie M. EISELE, about 1910. Lillie was born July 1894 in Lehigh County, PA and died 1971 in Lehigh County, PA. She is also buried in Coplay Cemetery. They had three daughters.
a. Harry James Beidleman, Sr. was the son of Peauried and Jennie. He was born 5 August 1908 and died 23 June 2001. He married Elizabeth J. QUIGG, daughter of Samuel Quigg and Mantana Herring. Elizabeth was born 28 September 1907 and died 13 July 1958 in Philadelphia, PA.
b. Ruth I Beidleman was the daughter of Peauried and Lillie. She was born 4 August 1914 in Lehigh County, PA and died in Allentown, PA on 1 September 2004. She is buried in Coplay Cemetery.
c. Hilda A. Beidleman was the daughter of Peauried and Lillie. She was born in 1920 and died in 1920 in Lehigh County, PA. She is buried in Coplay Cemetery.
d. Evelyn L. Beidleman was the daughter of Peauried and Lillie. She was born about 1922 and died February 1997 in Lehigh County, PA. She married William J. RICE. They had two daughters.
THOMAS FREDERICK KNAPPENBERGER (1849-1930)
Thomas Frederick was born 17 March 1849 in Polk Township, Monroe County, PA and died 19 January 1930 in Berks County, PA. He first married Maria Lee WILKES, daughter of Mr. Wilkes and Esther Fenstermacher, about 1868. Marie was born in 10 October 1847 in Berks County, PA and died on 14 June 1888 in Berks County, PA. Thomas and Maria had 12 children. Thomas then married Lovina Adeline LEVAN, on 3 January 1891 in Kutztown, PA. Lovina was a widow and Levan was her married name; her maiden name is unknown at this time. Lovina was born 16 August 1851 in Pennsylvania and died 11 October 1926 in Berks County, PA. Thomas and Lovina had two children. For more information on this family, click on his name above.
ANGELINA KNAPPENBERGER (1853-1857)
Angelina was born 10 July 1853 in Carbon County, PA and died June 1857 in Carbon County, PA. She was christened on 12 April 1854 in Jerusalem Church at Trachsville, Carbon County, PA. She died in her sixth year of “nerve fever” which was the same disease that caused the death of her father about the same time.
JAMES HENRY KNAPPENBERGER (1855-1917)
James Henry was born 27 August 1855 in Polk Township, Monroe County, PA and died in June 1917 in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County, PA. James married Leah M. HOFFNER, daughter of Philip Hoffner and Lydia Ann Learn, about 1874. Leah was born 29 February 1860 in Jackson Township, Monroe County, PA and died 26 May 1940 in Carbon County, PA. They are buried in Christ Lutheran Church cemetery in Christmans, Carbon County, PA. This couple had fourteen children. For more information about this couple and their children, click on his name above.
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