DAVID KNAPPENBERGER FAMILY
OF OHIO (TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, STARK COUNTY, GEAUGA COUNTY)
Johan Michael
(1709-1751)
V
Conrad
(1748-1818)
V
J Philip
(1783-1867)
V
David
(1823-1903)
V
Lucinda (1848-1850)
Mary Jane (1851-1936) > 4 Children
Martha Elizabeth (1854-1913) > 3 Children
William H. (1855-1938) > 1 Child
Annetta (1859-1950) > 1 Child
James (1861-1940) > 1 Child
Viette (1864-1952) > 1 Child
GENERAL INFORMATION
David was born 21 July 1823 in Strasburg, Tuscarawas County, Ohio and he died 17 October 1903 in Geauga County, Ohio. Like many others in this family, he is buried in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Tuscarawas County, Ohio with his wife and a number of their children. David married Elisabeth F. McKIMSON on 23 January 1848 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Elisabeth was born 15 October 1824 in Ohio and died 20 May 1901 in Troy Township, Geauga County, Ohio. In 1880 they were living in Franklin Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio but by 1900 they were living in Geauga County, Ohio. This couple had seven children. It’s also highly likely that they had an eighth child in February 1867 who died shortly thereafter on 19 February 1867, however, no name is known for this child.
A friend of David’s named John H. Haas served in the Civil War and wrote a letter to David about his experiences in the war noting the following, “David, you told me that I should write you the truth How it is and I am going to do so. I don’t know very much yet of soldering but I new that much that it is a dam hard life. Since I left Strasburg I lost 17 pounds of my waid. To Day I had a good dinner we went to town and stold oyster… In day time it is very warm but at night it is most darn cold.” [letter graciously provided by Bonnie Carl]
David Knappenberger and, his wife,
Elizabeth F. [McKimsom] Knappenberger
and, his son, James Knappenberger
in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg,
Tuscarawas County, Ohio
[photo graciously provided by Sue Appleton]
CHILDREN
LUCINDA KNAPPENBERGER (1848-1850)
Lucinda Knappenberger was born July 1849 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died at the age of 8 months in March of 1850 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Cause of death is unknown according to the U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedule. We are making the assumption that her parents are David and Elisabeth because of the timing and the place.
MARY JANE KNAPPENBERGER (1851-1936)
Mary Jane was born 6 March 1851 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 19 February 1936 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. She married Daniel MEYER (also sometimes spelled MEIER), son of Charles Meyers and Catherine Teice, on 14 July 1870 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Daniel was born 22 April 1843 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio (his parents were born in Germany) and died 19 December 1912 in Bethlehem Township, Stark County, Ohio. In 1920, Mary J. Meyer was living in Canton, Stark County, Ohio as a widow. They along with a number of their children are buried in Grandview Cemetery in Strasburg, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. This couple had four children.
1. Cullen Wister Meyer was born 14 February 1871 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 20 March 1940 in Stark County, Ohio. He married Etta Rhea NUMBERS about 1918. She was born 19 February 1885 in Ohio and died 1 January 1962 in Summit County, Ohio. They are buried in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Ohio. His grave marker reads “A Tribute from Mt. Pleasant Band to our leader”. Cullen is listed as a public school teacher in various censuses. In 1920, Cullen and his wife Etta were living in Bethlehem Township, Stark County, Ohio. In the 1930 census they had two sons.
a. Daniel Arland Meyer was born 19 September 1920 in Bethlehem Township, Stark County, Ohio and died 5 September 1999. He married Mary Virginia FLETCHER and had 3 children. Daniel is buried in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.
b. Cullen Wister Meyer, Jr. was born 18 October 1921 in Bethlehem Township, Stark County, Ohio and died 27 February 2001 in Stark County, Ohio.
Cullen Wister Meyer and, his
wife, Etta Rhea [Numbers] Meyer
in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg,
Tuscarawas County, Ohio
[photo graciously provided by Sue Appleton]
2. Orrin D. Meyer was born 15 February 1874 in Ohio and died 1882 in Stark County, Ohio. He died at the age of 8 and is buried in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Ohio.
3. Leafa Della Meyer known as “Lillian” was born in 14 January 1877 in Stark County, Ohio and died 13 March 1944 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. She never married and is buried in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Ohio. In the 1910 and 1930 censuses, she was living in Cleveland, Ohio.
4. Clinton V. Meyer was born 23 April 1879 in Stark County, Ohio and died 18 September 1952 in Massillon, Stark County, Ohio. He married Rose C. KILLIAN, daughter of Rose Weber and John Justis Killian. Rose was born 18 April 1890 in Chicago, Illinois and died 16 October 1950 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Rose was known as “Rosa Rosalind” and performed with many circuses including the famous Barnum and Bailey Circus. Her mother, Rose Killian, headed the Rose Killian Circus from 1907-1929. Clint and Rose are buried in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Ohio and their monument reads “Millions Mourn the Passing of Americas Famous Circus Equestrians”. In 1920, Clinton and Rose were living in Canton, Stark County, Ohio in the household of Clinton’s widowed mother, Mary Jane.
Clinton V. Meyer and, his
wife, Rose C. [Killian] Meyer
in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg,
Tuscarawas County, Ohio
[photo graciously provided by Sue Appleton]
MARTHA ELIZABETH KNAPPENBERGER (1854-1913)
Martha Elizabeth was born 8 December 1854 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died on 29 December 1913 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. She married Sylvester GHARKY, son of John Gharky and Eliza Jane Simmons, on 21 May 1876 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Sylvester was born 31 January 1852 and died 26 December 1911 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. This family was living in Dennison Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio in the 1910 census. Martha and Sylvester were second cousins once removed with a common ancestor in Conrad Knappenberger. They are buried in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Ohio. They had three children.
Martha Elizabeth [Knappenberger] Gharky
and, her husband, Sylvester Gharky
in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg,
Tuscarawas County, Ohio
[photo graciously provided by Sue Appleton]
1. Myrtle Gharky was born December 1876 in Ohio and died sometime after 1938. She married Clarence O. SMITH who was born August 1875 in Ohio. In the 1900 census, Myrtle and Clarence were living in her parents’ household. In the 1910 census, Myrtle Smith was living with her parents but her husband was not listed nor were any children. We have no further information on Clarence O. Smith. We believe that he died prior to 1910.
2. Daisy D. Gharky was born July 1878 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died sometime after 1938. She was living with her parents in 1910 at the age of 31 and single.
3. Charles Gharky was born 11 April 1883 in Geauga County, Ohio and died 29 August 1883 in Ohio at the age of 4 months and 22 days of age.
WILLIAM H. KNAPPENBERGER (1855-1938)
William H. was born 18 December 1855 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 6 November 1938 in Stuebenville, Jefferson County, Ohio. He married Lydia Anne BASH, daughter of Joseph Bash and Elizabeth Dierdorff, on 27 March 1884 in Stark County, Ohio. Lydia was born 2 April 1867 in Tuscarawas County Ohio and died 25 September 1937 in Geauga County, Ohio. They are buried in Middlefield Cemetery, Geauga County, Ohio. This couple had one child.
1. Marvel Elizabeth Knappenberger was born 27 November 1890 in Middlefield, Geauga County, Ohio and died 2 November 1920 in Middlefield, Ohio. She married Loren Leroy VELTMAN known as “Roy” son of Charles Veltman, on 3 July 1913 in Geauga County, Ohio. He was born 16 February 1890 in Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga County, Ohio and died 3 December 1957 in Alvin, Texas. They are buried in Middlefield Village Cemetery in Geauga County, Ohio. This couple had two children who were raised by their maternal grandparents (William and Lydia Knappenberger) upon Marvel’s death in 1920. Roy Veltman remarried and had other children. He later moved his family to Texas.
a. Stata Lydia Veltman born 28 May 1916 in Geauga County, Ohio and died 5 June 1994 in Long Beach, California. She first married Earl MORRISON which ended in divorce. She then married Ray HOUGHTON.
b. Joseph Henry Veltman born 11 January 1920 in Geauga County, Ohio and died 11 October 1987 in San Antonio, Texas. He married Mary Jean WOODARD on 29 May 1948. Mary was born 13 June 1924 in Geauga County, Ohio and died 10 September 2002 in San Antonio, Texas. They had three children.
Marvel [Knappenberger] Veltman
& Loren Leroy Veltman,
Middlefield, Ohio, 1913
Stata Lydia Veltman &
Joseph Henry Veltman,
Middlefield, Ohio, Circa 1920
[photos and business card provided
by Tom Veltman, grandson of
Marvel Knappenberger Veltman]
ANNETTA KNAPPENBEGER (1859-1950)
Annetta was born 17 April 1859 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 25 July 1950 in Canton, Stark County, Ohio. She married Nicholas FELLER, son of Nicholas Feller and Anna Rufenocht, on 9 May 1880 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Nicholas was born 2 February 1852 in Ohio and died 8 March 1922 in Beach City, Stark County, Ohio. The 1880 census for Beach City, Stark County, Ohio lists Nick Feller as a blacksmith. In 1910, Annetta and Nicholas are still living in Beach City, Stark County, Ohio along with their one daughter, Cleo, who was 18 years old at the time.
1. Cleo Feller (daughter) was born May 1891 in Stark County, Ohio. We know nothing further about her at this time.
JAMES M. KNAPPENBERGER (1861-1941)
James known as “Jim” was born 12 June 1961 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 4 August 1940 in Geauga County, Ohio. It seems that James never married. He was listed as living with his sister, Viette, in 1938 at the age of 77. He is buried with his parents in Grandview Union Cemetery, Strasburg, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.
Ohio birth records indicate a child was born to James Knappenberger and Emma Himes, daughter of Daniel Himes and Hannah Oaks. Emma was born February 1863 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 7 March 1926 there. James and Emma did not marry. Emma married about 1886 to Daniel Peacock (1856-1922). The child born to Emma Himes and James Knappenberger was named Berty Arlington Knappenberger. This child became known as ARLINGTON BERT HIMES.
1. Arlington Bert Himes known as “Arley” was born 29 October 1880 in Franklin Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 26 July 1941 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. He is buried in Grandview Union Cemetery in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Arley was most likely raised by his grandparents, Daniel and Hannah Himes. He is living with them in the 1900 census as 20 years of age and single and listed as grandson.
Arley married Edith Florence KLINGLER, daughter of Leonard Klingler and Julia Staley, in 1901. Edith was born 4 August 1883 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 1955 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. She is buried in Grandview Union Cemetery. They had 8 children all born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.
a. Russell E. Himes born 26 December 1901 and died 3 January 1979 in Wayne County, Ohio. Buried Grandview Union Cemetery.
b. Verda Belle Himes was born 7 June 1909 and died 22 October 1994 in Stark County, Ohio. She married Raymond CLIMES (20 November 1899-February 1987).
c. Merle A. Himes was born 2 May 1911 and died 19 January 2000 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. He married Dolores Ona RENICKER on 19 October 1935 in West Virginia.
d. Erma L. Himes was born 31 October 1912 and died 27 December 2001 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. She married a Clifford W. EASH (21 October 1907-10 January 1993).
e. Carl W. Himes was born 4 August 1914 and died 29 October 1993 in Mahoning County, Ohio. He is buried in Grandview Union Cemetery.
f. Otis W. Himes was born 3 September 1917 and died 3 September 1985 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. He married Wilma STIDD in 1939 in West Virginia. Wilma was born 14 January 1921 and died August 1986.
g. Blanche B. Himes was born 1919. She first married Daniel JUDY and sometime after his death, married John BAUGHMAN.
h. Alvin Mathias Himes was born 23 April 1921 and died 27 February 2010 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. He married Rachel P. SMITH on 7 November 1940. Rachel was born 2 January 1918 in Virginia and died 26 May 2006 in Ohio. They are buried in Grandview Union Cemetery.
VIETTE KNAPPENBERGER (1867-1952)
Viette Knappenberger was born 30 October 1867 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 26 October 1952 in Geauga County, Ohio. Viette married Ermon James NORTON, son of William R. Norton and Alvira Boorn, on 28 May 1889 in Geauga County, Ohio. Ermon “James” was born 20 May 1864 in Burton, Geauga County, Ohio and died 21 November 1932 in Geauga County, Ohio. They are buried in Wilton Cemetery, Burton, Geauga County, Ohio. This couple had one child.
1. Lloyd R. Norton was born 27 Marc h 1895 in Geauga County, Ohio and died sometime after 1930. Lloyd married Osee C. EDMONDSON about 1914. Osee was born 18 March 1895 in Ohio and died 23 September 1973 in Marion County, Ohio. Lloyd and Osee and their two children were living in Marion, Marion County, Ohio in the 1930 census. These two children were.
a. Doris Maxine Norton born 22 February 1922 in Marion County, Ohio and died 26 June 1988 in Marion County, Ohio. Doris married John Lowell McCOMBS.
b. Kenneth Paul Norton born about 1924 in Ohio.
LEFT Ermon James Norton
RIGHT Viette [Knappenberger] Norton
also known as “Aunt Doll”,
Chardon, Ohio
[photos graciously provided
by Tom Veltman]
SPECIAL THANKS
• Tom Veltman of Wichita, Kansas for his help with the William H. Knappenberger family.
• Diane Meyer of Maryland for her help with the Meyer family.
• Ruth Himes Wright for her help with the Arlington Bert Himes family!