JOSEPH KNAPPENBERGER FAMILY
OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Under Revision 2/2022
Johan Michael
(1709-1751)
V
Conrad
(1748-1818)
V
John
(1774-1863)
V
Joseph
(1810-1883)
V
Lavinia (1834-?)
Levi (1835-1923) > 7 Children
Jacob (1838-1911)
Reuben (1841-1842)
Eliza (1842-1922) > 3 Children
Maria (1844-1921)
Mary Ann (1846-1922)
Caroline (1849-1912) > 2 Children
GENERAL INFORMATION
Joseph Knappenberger, son of John Knappenberger and grandson of Conrad Knappenberger of Westmoreland County, PA was born 19 February 1810 in Franklin Township, Westmoreland County, PA and died March 1883 in Burrell Township, Westmoreland County, PA. He was listed in the 1850 census for Franklin Township as a farmer. He married Anna KEMERER, daughter of Adam Kemerer, Sr. (1771-1846) and Elisabetha Hiessle (1775-1843), on 19 December 1833 in Westmoreland County, PA. Anna known as “Annie” was born November 1814 in Franklin Township, Westmoreland County, PA and died 5 November 1888 in Westmoreland County, PA. She and Joseph are buried in Pine Run Cemetery, Washington Township, Westmoreland County, PA. Joseph and Anna had eight children.
Joseph Knappenberger and, his wife,
Anna [Kemerer] Knappenberger in
Pine Run Cemetery, Washington Township PA
[photo graciously provided by Sue Appleton]
CHILDREN
LAVINIA KNAPPENBERGER (1834-?)
Lavinia was born about 1834 in Westmoreland County, PA. In the 1850 census she was listed as 15 years of age. She may have been the twin of Levi. Nothing further is known of Lavinia at this time.
LEVI KNAPPENBERGER (1835-1923)
Levi was born 20 February 1836 in Irwin, Westmoreland County, PA and died 11 November 1923 in Westmoreland County, PA. The 1880 census listed Levi as a farmer living in Upper Burrell Township, Westmoreland County, PA. Levi married Jane MILLIGAN, daughter of James Milligan and Sarah Hughes, in 1861. Jane was born 10 October 1836 in PA and died 8 January 1910 in Allegheny County, PA. The 1910 census shows that Jane had passed away and that Levi was living in Wilmerding, Allegheny County, PA with two of his daughters, Elizabeth and Mary. In 1920, Levi was living with his daughter Emma J. McDivitt and her husband in Pittsburgh – he was 85 years of age at that time. Levi and Jane are buried in Union Cemetery, Irwin, Westmoreland County, PA. Levi and Jane had eight children with six surviving into adulthood.
1. Robert J. Knappenberger was born 15 August 1862 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 15 January 1941 in Westmoreland county, PA. He married Mary J. WHITEHEAD, daughter of Lewis and Eliza Whitehead, on 26 October 1893 in Westmoreland County, PA. Mary was born 1 May 1875 in Westmoreland County, PA and died sometime after 1930. It seems that Robert and Mary divorced because Robert is listed as “single” in the 1930 census while Mary had remarried to Gustave H. Young about 1905. By 1930 census, Mary Young is widowed. Robert and Mary had 3 children. Robert is buried in Union Cemetery, Irwin, Westmoreland County, PA. Mary J. Whitehead Knappenberger Young is buried in Jefferson Memorial Park, Pleasant Hills, Allegheny County, PA.
a. Edna B. Knappenberger was born 26 February 1894 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 17 July 1979 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. She was married in the 1920 census and listed as Edna BECKER, age 24 with a son, Robert Becker, age 5 months. They are living with her mother, Mary Young, and her husband, Gustave Young in Pittsburgh, PA. In the 1930 census for Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA, Edna is married to Walter Culp BENTZ, son of William Bentz. Walter was born 3 January 1886 in Gettsyburg, PA and died 18 February 1953 in Allegheny County, PA. Edna and Walter were living with her widowed mother along with Edna’s two children in the 1930 census. Walter and Edna are buried in Allegheny County Memorial Park, Allegheny County, PA. Walter C. Bentz served during World War I from Sept 5 1917 to July 26 1919 with the 20th Engineers as a Sergeant.
- Robert Joseph Becker was born 4 September 1919 in Allegheny County, PA and died 16 November 1993 in Allegheny County, PA. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp for World War II and served from 1942-1945.
- Gladys Bentz was born 9 July 1926 in Allegheny County, PA and died 6 February 2014 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. She married Norman L. DeGrange, son of John A. DeGrange and Elizabeth Smith. It seems that they married the first time in 1948 in Washington, PA and then at some time divorced. They remarried in 1973 and remained married. Norman was a letter carrier in Indianapolis. No children were born to this union.
b. R.C. Knappenberger, most likely Robert C., was born about 1895/1896 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 13 August 1896 in Westmoreland County, PA.
c. William Franklin Knappenberger was born 30 May 1899 (some records indicate birth year as 1898) in Allegheny County, PA and died 4 August 1959 in Allegheny County, PA. He was buried in Union Dale Cemetery in Pittsburgh. William served from 27 June 1917 to 4 March 1919 during World War I. William is living with his remarried mother and sister, Edna, in Pittsburgh in the 1910 census. There they are listed as Edna Young and William Young. William is once again living with his widowed mother, Mary Young, in the 1930 census for Pittsburgh where he is listed as 32 years of age, divorced and married at the age of 20. Therefore, we know that he was married about 1918 but the marriage did not last until 1930 He married Mary Ann STEIN, daughter of John Stein and Martha Knox about 1930. Mary Ann was born 8 July 1911 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA and died 17 Nov 1945 in Allegheny County, PA. They had a son.
- William Franklin Knappenburgher, Jr. (this is how it is written on his death certificate) was born 6 June 1931 in Pittsburgh, PA and died there 20 September 1931. He along with his parents is buried in Union Dale Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA.
2. Sarah Ann Knappenberger was born 4 September 1864 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 3 August 1950 in Westmoreland County, PA. Sarah married Casper S. COOK, son of Nicholas and Heldagart Cook, on 25 December 1884. Casper was born June 1860 in Pennsylvania and died 1905. They are buried in Union Cemetery, Irwin, Westmoreland County, PA. Sarah is listed in the 1910 census for Westmoreland County as head of household with all of her children except Mary who had already married plus her aunt, Caroline Knappenberger Lentz. Sarah and Casper had seven children.
a. Mary Emma Cook was born 30 November 1885 in Westmoreland County,PA and died 26 November 1959 in Westmoreland County, PA. She married John McCUNE about 1905. John was born 1881 in Pennsylvania and died February 1957 in Westmoreland County, PA. They are buried in Brush Creek Cemetery, Irwin, Westmoreland County, PA. They had five children: Casper McCune (born about 1906), James McCune (16 April 1909 – December 1980), Edwin McCune (born about 1912), Grace McCune (born about 1914), Sarah McCune (born about 1916).
b. Charles S. Cook was born 27 July 1888 in Irwin, Westmoreland County, PA and died 6 February1970 in Westmoreland County, PA. He is buried in Union Cemetery, Westmoreland County, PA. In the 1930 census, he was 40 years of age, single and living in his widowed mother’s household. Charles served with the US Army during World War I.
c. Harry L. Cook was born 4 March 1890 in Irwin, Westmoreland County, PA and died in 1945. He married Anna [maiden name unknown]. Harry served in World War I and is buried in Union Cemetery.
c. John Albert Cook was born 10 June 1892 in Westmoreland County, PA and died17 December 1958 in Westmoreland County, PA. He is buried in Penn Lincoln Memorial Park. He married Alma Adaline LENHART.
d. Ida M. Cook was born July 1894 in Westmoreland County, PA She married a Mr. KOHL.
e. James L. Cook was born October 1899 in Westmoreland County, PA.
f. Emily M. Cook was born about 1903 in Westmoreland County, PA She married a Mr. PATTERSON.
3. Elizabeth C. Knappenberger was born26 April 1866 in Westmoreland County, PA and died28 August 19500 in Allegheny County, PA. She is listed as 42 years of age in 1910 and living in Wilmerding, Allegheny County, PA with her father according to the census. In 1920, Elizabeth is living in Lower Burrell, Westmoreland County, PA as a single woman living with her aunt, Eliza Knappenberger Spiker, who was 78 years old and a widow. In 1930, Elizabeth was listed as 64 years of age, single and living with her sister, Emma Some records indicate she was born in 1867 but that is not likely due to her brother’s birthdate listed below.
4. John Perry Knappenberger was born in October 1867 Westmoreland County, PA and died 14 September 1891. He was buried in Union Cemetery, Irwin, Westmoreland County, PA. He was 23 years, 11 months and 9 days of age at this death.
5. Emma Jane Knappenberger was born 3 July 1869 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 25 February 1948 in Allegheny County, PA. She married William L. McDIVITT, son of David McDivitt and Elizabeth Fleming, on 14 April 1897 in Westmoreland County, PA. William was born 7 October 1866 in Pennsylvania and died 23 July 1920 in Allegheny County, PA. They are buried in Union Cemetery, Irwin, Westmoreland County, PA. Emma and William had one son.
a. Clarence W. McDivitt was born 1 July 1906 in PA and died March 1974. He is buried in Union Cemetery, Irwin, Westmoreland County, PA.
6. Margaret Catherine Knappenberger was born 5 November 1872 in Westmoreland County and died 27 February 1942 in Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. She married John Gary FUNK, son of John Funk and Mary Paul, on 24 August 1898 in Westmoreland County, PA. John was born 11 August 1866 in Allegheny County, PA and died 18 May 1944 in Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. They are buried in Lakewood Park Cemetery, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. In the 1920 census, this family was living in Swissvale, Allegheny County, PA where John worked as a machinist and in the 1930 census they were living in Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Margaret and John had three daughters.
a. Laura M. Funk was born 21 December 1899 most likely in Allegheny County, PA and died 20 March 1975 in St. Petersburg, Florida. In the 1920 census for Swissvale, PA, Laura was 20 years of age, single and a stenographer. She married Ross Walker DAWSON, son of Charles B. Dawson and Mary Belle Sharp, about 1922. Ross was born 25 May 1897 in New Athens, Harrison County, Ohio and died 20 November 1959. In the 1930 census this couple was living with her parents in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. They had been married for 7 years and no children were listed.
b. Ruth Helen Funk was born 1 October 1902 in Allegheny County, PA and died 15 January 1997 in Ohio. She married Walter John OSTLUND, son of J. Aug and Edith Ostlund who were both born in Sweden. Walter was born 8 March 1904 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA and died 15 October 1963 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. They are buried in Lakewood Park, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. They had two sons: Robert Walter and Ralph Earl (1935-2017).
c. Grace E. Funk was born 13 February 1905 most likely in Allegheny County, PA and died 29 January 1999 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. She married Francis H. CONNOR, son of Samuel Connor and Annie Ruffner, on 28 May 1924 in Monroe County, Michigan. Francis was born 10 October 1904 in PA and died 20 May 1980 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. They had two children: Richard Howard (1927 – 2002) and Marilyn Jean.
7. Mary Belle Knappenberger was born August 1876 in Westmoreland County,PA and died 1964 in Allegheny County, PA. She is listed in the 1910 census as living with her father and sister in Wilmerding, Allegheny County, PA. Sometime later that year, she married John Ormsby McWILLIAMS, son of James D. and Mary J. McWilliams. John was born 7 August 1876 in Allegheny County,PA and died June 1968 in Allegheny County, PA. They are buried in Grandview Cemetery, North Versailles, Allegheny County, PA. The 1920 and 1930 censuses indicate that Mary and John had one daughter.
a. Mary Jane McWilliams known as “Jane” was born about 1916 in Allegheny County, PA.
JACOB KNAPPENBERGER (1838-1911)
Jacob was born February 1838 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 8 May 1911 in Westmoreland County, PA. Jacob never married and lived with his two unmarried sisters, Maria and Mary Ann. They are buried together at the old Bethesda Cemetery in Lower Burrell Township, Westmoreland County, PA. Jacob Knappenberger served as a Private in the 168th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K during the Civil War. His cousin, Henry Kline, was also in this same company. In the 1900 census, Jacob and his two unmarried sisters were living in Harrison City, Westmoreland County, PA and were farmers. In the 1910 census they were all living together in New Kensington, Westmoreland County, PA. Jacob’s will states, “All that I possess in this world, real, personal or mixed estate, whatsoever or wheresoever the same may be at the time of my decease, I give and bequeath to my two sisters, Maria Knappenberger and Mary Ann Knappenberger, share and share alike as their sole and absolute property….” Jacob was buried in Old Bethseda Cemetery, Lower Burrell Twp., Westmoreland County, PA.
REUBEN KNAPPENBERGER (1841-1842)
Reuben was born 18 May 1841 in Franklin Township, Westmoreland County, PA and died 27 January 1842 in Westmoreland County, PA.
ELIZA KNAPPENBERGER (1842-1922)
Eliza was born October 1842 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 22 September 1922 in Westmoreland County, PA. She married Daniel SPIKER on 19 December 1873 in Burrell Township, Westmoreland County, PA. Daniel was born 1841 in Markle, Westmoreland County, PA and died 15 August 1918 in Westmoreland County, PA. The 1880 census for Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County, PA, lists “Daniel Spicher” as 38 years of age with his wife, Eliza (age 35) and two children, William C. (age 5) and Florence (age 3). This couple is buried in Old Bethesda Cemetery, Markle, Westmoreland County, PA.
1. William C. Spiker was born about 1875 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 16 March 1928 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is buried with his siblings at the Old Bethesda Cemetery in Markle, Westmoreland County, PA. An article written in 1928 states, “William disappeared in 1900, age 23. No one ever heard of him again until he died in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He and parents are buried in Markle Cemetery.”
2. Florence W. Spiker was born 1876 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 1898 in Westmoreland County, PA. She is buried in Old Bethesda Cemetery. A gravemarker has been found for her there though no markers for either of her brothers.
3. H. Joseph Spiker was born 1881 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 1899 in Westmoreland County, PA. He is also buried at Old Bethesda Cemetery.
MARIA KNAPPENBERGER (1844-1921)
Maria was born in May 1844 in Westmoreland County, PA and died in 1921 in Westmoreland County, PA. She remained unmarried and lived with her brother, Jacob, and sister, Mary Ann. She is buried in Old Bethesda Cemetery, Burrell Township, Westmoreland County, PA with her brother and sister.
MARY ANN KNAPPENBERGER (1846-1922)
Mary Ann was born in January 1846 in Westmoreland County, PA and died in 1922 in Westmoreland County, PA. She remained unmarried and lived with her sister, Maria, and brother, Jacob. All three are buried at Old Bethesda Cemetery in Burrell Township, Westmoreland County, PA.
CAROLINE KNAPPENBERGER (1849-1912)
Caroline was born March 1849 in Milligantown, Westmoreland County, PA and died 14 July 1912 in Westmoreland County, PA. She married Samuel David LENTZ, son of Abraham and Lucy M. Lentz, on 2 October 1889 in Westmoreland County, PA. Samuel was born 3 June 1858 in Markle, Westmoreland County, PA and died 1909 in Westmoreland County, PA. Both Caroline and Samuel worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad. They are buried in Union Cemetery, Irwin, Westmoreland County, PA. Caroline was living with her niece, Sarah Cook, in 1910. Caroline and Samuel had two children.
1. Lucy “Anna” Lentz was born in January 1891 in Westmoreland County, PA and died in 1958. She married William Monroe HOLDERBAUM, son of Joseph W. Holderbaum and Rebecca Anna Marsh, on 26 August 1909. William was born 14 May 1886 in PA and died March 1968 in Hillsborough County, Florida. They are buried in Union Cemetery, Irwin, Westmoreland County, PA. This couple lived in North Irwin, Westmoreland County, PA and had nine children.
a. Harry Holderbaum was born 10 December 1909 in Westmoreland County, PA and died on January 1987 in Westmoreland County, PA.
b. Ida May Holderbaum was born 1911 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 20 January 1958 in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA. We assume that she did not marry. She is buried in Union Cemetery, Irwin, PA.
c. Eliza Caroline Holderbaum was born 1912 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 1933 in Westmoreland County, PA. We assume that she did not marry. She is buried in Union Cemetery, Irwin, PA.
d. Merwin M. Holderbaum was born 23 February 1914 in Westmoreland County, PA and died December 1980 in Hillsborough County, Florida.
e. Laura J. Holderbaum was born 1915 in Westmoreland County, PA and died there in 1916. She is buried in Union Cemetery, Irwin, PA.
f. Charles William Holderbaum was born 1917 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 12 September 1968 in Fayette County, PA. He is buried in Union Cemetery, Irwin, PA.
g. Margaret Rebecca Holderbaum was born about 1918 in Westmoreland County, PA.
h. Rosella Anna Holderbaum was born about 1921 in Westmoreland County, PA.
i. James L. Holderbaum was born 1922 in Westmoreland County, PA and died there in 1925. He is buried in Union Cemetery, Irwin, PA.
2. Merwin Lentz was born 27 December 1891 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 14 February 1954 in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA. He married Harriet TOWNSLEY about 1918. Harriet was born 1894 in PA and died 5 May 1952 in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA. They are buried in Union Cemetery, Irwin, PA. Merwin and Harriet had three children.
a. James Lentz was born about 1916 in PA.
b. Sarah J. Lentz was born about 1921 in Westmoreland County, PA.
c. Merwin W. Lentz was born 13 December 1926 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 25 July 1973.
SPECIAL THANKS
Russ Lentz for his invaluable assistance with the Lentz Family
We continue to research this family and need additional information, please contact us at jsappleton@windstream.net.