J. PHILIP KNAPPENBERGER
FAMILY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, OHIO

 

Johan Michael
(1709-1751)
V
Conrad
(1748-1818)
V
J Philip
(1783-1867)
V
J Philip and Martha Swanger (1794-1892):
John (1809-1885) > 7 Children

J Philip and Mary Beacom (1792-1850):
Margaretha “Margaret” (1811-1881) > 4 Children
Salome (1813-?)
Mary (1816-1881) > 3 Children
Catharine (1817-1902) > 4 Children
David (1823-1903) > 8 Children
Jonathan (1827-1865) > 3 Children KNAPP

J Philip and Susan Hartshorn (1809-1881):
Philip, Jr (1854-1911) > 5 Children

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

J. Philip Knappenberger known as “Philip” was born 30 May 1783 in Macungie Township, Northampton County (later Lehigh County), PA.  He moved to Westmoreland County with his parents and siblings about 1789.  Later as a young man he moved and settled in Tuscarawas County, Ohio where he died 19 October 1867 and was buried in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Ohio.  In that time period, the eldest son typically gained control of the family farm lands which were often too small to subdivide.   This meant that younger sons, like Philip, tended to move westward to purchase their own farms.

From the History of Tuscarawas County we learn, “Philip Knappenberger was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, in 1783.  Attaining his majority, he made a trip West, entered the east half of Section 9, in his father’s name, and the northwest quarter of the section in his own name.  Returning, he married and brought his wife to the new country.  In the face of the Indian troubles, during the war of 1812, he returned East, and at the termination of hostilities, again took up his residence in Franklin.  He was a Justice of the Peace, a gun-smith and a farmer.  He was a disbeliever in the Bible, and wrote and published a book expressive of his views.  Mr. Knappenberger was twice married and died in this township.”

From Vinnie Knappenberger’s family history of 1916 we learn, “Philip became the founder of the Ohio branch of the family.  Philip’s first dwelling in Ohio was a cabin with a blanket for a door.  When he had been there some time and accumulated some wealth, he built a house that was considered palatial in those days.  It was painted with red earth and had a shingle roof.  This alone was enough to give him prominence.  He worked at gunsmithing and many an old arm was brought to him under the belief it was bewitched.  His skill was not long in finding the difficulty and removing it.  He soon acquired a reputation in his business and prospered accordingly.  He built two sawmills in Franklin Township and was the man to make rails west of the Tuscarawas River, Ohio.  Beyond three months school he received as a boy, he was self taught, but he was a great reader and thinker and was a writer of no mean ability.  He taught several terms of school at his residence.  He was a pronounced liberal in religion and possessed ideas far in advance of his time.  He wrote several books on religion and one on slavery.”

One book written by J. Philip was entitled Answer to the Sermon Preached by the Rev. James Shreeves in Strasburgh, August 2, 1857 in which he claimed that Moses was the Author of the Pentateuch.  A copy of this book can be found in the Ohio Historical Society Archives Library.

Prior to J. Philip moving to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, he had a child with Martha SWANGER, a daughter of Abraham Swanger and Elisabeth Wagner, of Westmoreland County, PA.  Martha was born 11 August 1794 and died 17 June 1892 in Armstrong County, PA.  Their son, John Knappenberger, was born 18 May 1809 and became the founder of the Armstrong County Pennsylvania Knappenberger Family.

Philip married Mary BEACOM, daughter of John Beacom who was born in Ireland and Margaret, about 1810 in Westmoreland County, PA.  Mary was born 4 May 1792 and died 15 August 1850 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and was buried with Philip in Grandview Cemetery in Strasburg, Ohio.  The 1850 census for Tuscarawas County shows Mary being born in Pennsylvania.  Philip and Mary had six children of which five reached adulthood.

Upon Mary’s death in 1850, Philip married Susan HARTSHORN on 2 December 1851 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  Susan was the widow of Thomas Fitzgerald who was born in Ireland and was known as Susan FITZGERALD at the time of her marriage to Philip.  Susan was born in 1809 in Maryland, though her parents were believed to be from England, and died 29 March 1881 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  From her first marriage, she had five children.  These five included a daughter, Louise (born about 1846 in New York) who lived with her and Philip, and a son, William H. Fitzgerald, who fought in the Civil War.  Philip and Susan also had one child together, Philip Knappenberger, Jr.


J. Philip Knappenberger Family at
Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Ohio:
Jonathan (son), J. Philip, Mary Beacom (wife)
[photo graciously provided by Sue Appleton]

 

CHILD OF J. PHILIP KNAPPENBERGER AND MARTHA SWANGER

JOHN KNAPPENBERGER (1809-1885)

John [no middle name] was born 16 May 1809 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 12 July 1885 in Armstrong County, PA.  John was raised by his mother, Martha Swanger, and her husband, Peter Briney, near Spring Church in Armstrong County, PA.  John married Anna Marie HILL known as “Polly”, the daughter of John Hill, Sr. and Catherine Broadsword, on 10 December 1829.  Polly was born 23 July 1808 in Franklin Township, Westmoreland County, PA and died 5 August 1871 in Armstrong County, PA.  John and Anna Marie had seven children.  Click on his name above for more information about the John Knappenberger Family of Armstrong County, PA.

 

CHILDREN OF J. PHILIP KNAPPENBERGER AND MARY BEACOM

MARGARETHA “MARGARET” KNAPPENBERGER (1811-1881)

Margaretha “Margaret” was born 2 August 1811 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 28 December 1881 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  She married John “Henry” BENFER, son of Nachborn Heinrich Benfer and Marie Elizabeth Klinker, on 21 April 1831 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  Henry was born December 1809 in Warwick Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 11 March 1871 in Wayne Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  This couple is buried in Dundee Cemetery, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Henry and Margaret had four children.  For more information about this family, please click on her name above.

 

SALOME KNAPPENBERGER (1813-?)

Salome was born November 1813 in Westmoreland County, PA.  No further records have been found for her which we assume means that she died young.

 

MARY KNAPPENBERGER (1816-1881)

Mary was born 15 October 1816 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 28 February 1881 in Strasburg, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  The 1880 census reconfirms that Mary was born in Ohio.  Mary married Daniel ZIEGLER, son of John Ziegler and Jane Deardorff, on 18 June 1835 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  Daniel was born 13 May 1801 in Dover Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 14 September 1889 in Strasburg, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  Daniel was a farmer.  The spelling of Daniel’s last name has been found as Ziegler, Zeigler and Ziglar in various censuses.  Mary and Daniel had three children.

1. Henry Ziegler born about 1836 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  He seemingly died between 1860 and 1870.

2. John Ziegler born about 1838 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and seemingly died in the 1870s.

3. Philip Ziegler who was born 14 February 1846 in Franklin Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 27 March 1924 in Sandusky, Erie County, Ohio.  Philip, as a young boy, managed to enlist to fight in the Civil War although he was just 16 with Company E of the 126th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He fought in 27 of the great battles over a period of three years until wounded in the arm during the battle at Monacacy, Maryland after which he was discharged with a disability.  Philip married Laura SHAEFFER, daughter of Emlie P. Shaeffer and Elizabeth Shaeffer, on 12 November 1874.  Laura was born 22 May 1856 in Sandyville, Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 23 January 1910 in Strasburg, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  Philip and Laura are both buried in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  Philip and Laura had nine children.

a. Leila Myrtle was born 23 August 1875 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 31 December 1960 in Strasburg, Ohio.  She married Harvey Allen HUFFMAN, son of Isaac and Elizabeth Huffman, on 7 March 1897.  Harvey was born 22 September 1869 in Franklin Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 31 March 1940 in Strasburg, Ohio.  They are buried in Grandview Cemetery in Strasburg, Ohio.  Leila and Harvey had six children.

  • Harry E. Huffman was born 22 July 1897 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died September 1973 in Holmes County, Ohio.  He married Edna R. DEUBER about 1925.  Edna was born in 1902 in Stark County, Ohio and died 16 July 1970 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. They had two sons:  Harvey H. Huffman and Glenn Huffman.
  • Marie Huffman was born 22 September 1899 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 7 September 1981 in Frederick, Maryland.  She married Fritzie “Waldo” HARTLINE on 16 November 1917.  Waldo was born 26 July 1895 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died there on 31 July 1959 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  They are buried in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Ohio.  They had four children:  Barbara Huffman Hartline (21 September 1918 – 9 December 1980), Leila Dean Hartline (29 December 1919 – 5 May 2000), Hugh Hartline (2 December 1921 – 4 December 1921), and Jean Marcella Hartline (25 November 1925 – 12 May 1985).
  • James “Ivan” Huffman was born 27 February 1901 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 4 February 1976 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  Ivan married Olga G. OPPLINGER who was born 10 April 1906 in Switzerland and died 29 August 2000 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  This couple is buried in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Ohio.  They had three children:  Joan Elizabeth Huffman (1929-1997), Vance Ivan Huffman, and Gale Philip Huffman.
  • Andrew “Maurice” Huffman was born 4 July 1902 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 18 December 1977 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  Maurice married Florence Ethel YACKEY who was born on 27 May 1903 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 24 August 1997 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  They are buried in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Ohio.  They had a daughter named Mary Huffman.
  • Phillip Huffman was born 21 May 1905 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 8 January 1972 in Ohio.  He married Irma WILLIAMSON.  Philip is buried with his parents in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Ohio.
  • Laura “Elizabeth” Huffman was born 21 January 1907 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died on 1 August 1980 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  She married Clifford LUNDENBERGER, son of Edward and Olive Lundenberger.  Clifford was born 4 September 1906 in Ohio and died 17 July 1988 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  They are buried in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Ohio.

b. Olive A. Ziegler known as “Ollie” was born 11 April 1877 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 26 November 1967 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  She married Ira H. THOMPSON, son of William Thompson, about 1897.  Ira was born 20 September 1871 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 20 June 1957.  This couple is buried in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Ohio.  Olive and Ira had one daughter and seemingly raised a nephew as well.

  • Ida J. Thompson, daughter, was born 6 April 1902 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 1 August 1978 in Henry County, Ohio.  She is buried in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Ohio next to her parents with the name of Ida CARROLL.
  • Robert “Philip” Zeigler, nephew, was born 21 September 1918 in Sheridan County, Wyoming and died 2 July 1998 in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio.  Philip was living with his aunt and uncle in the 1920 census at the age of 1 year and 3 months and the 1930 census at the age of 11.  His father was Robert Wright Ziegler [see below].

c. Herschel Abe Ziegler was born 15 October 1878 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 28 December 1940 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  He is buried in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Ohio with his parents and his brother, Joseph.  It seems that he never married.

d. Joseph Ziegler was born 8 July 1881 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 2 February 1965.  He is buried with his parents and older brother in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Ohio.  It seems he never married.

e. Bruce Ziegler was born March 1883 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  In the 1910 census, he is living with his father at the age of 27 and unmarried.  Nothing further is known about him at this time.

f. Phyllis Ziegler was born 8 November 1884 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 23 March 1973 in El Cajon, San Diego County, California.  She married Harry M. LIMBACH, son of George Limbach and Catherine Ehret, about 1915.  Harry was born on 19 November 1888 in Stark County, Ohio and died 8 February 1963 in San Diego County, California.  They had a daughter named Eileen Limbach (born about 1916 in Stark County, Ohio).

g. John Ziegler was born about 1886 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died at the age of 7 in about 1893.

h. Robert “Wright” Ziegler was born August 1888 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 23 October 1918 in Sheridan County, Wyoming.  He married Stella May GILDROY, daughter of James Edward Gildroy and Anna Crawford Selkirk, on 7 July 1917 in Sheridan County, WY.  Stella was born 30 June 1891 in Iowa and died 15 November 1918 in Acme, Sheridan County, WY.  It seems that both of them died during the influenza epidemic.  They had a son.

  • Robert “Philip” Zeigler was born 21 September 1918 in Acme, Sheridan County, Wyoming.  In 1920, Philip was living with his aunt, Olive Ziegler Thompson, in Strasburg, Ohio.  Philip died 2 July 1998 in Franklin County, Ohio and was listed as widowed when he died at age 79.  He married Gene E. MUSKOFF on 17 April 1943.  Gene was born 6 March 1921 in Ohio and died 18 January 1984 in Franklin County, Ohio.  They had 3 children.

i. Gordon S. Ziegler was born on 10 September 1890 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died on 11 April 1968 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  Gordon married Mae L. NOBLE who was born 26 October 1890 in Ohio and died 7 August 1974 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  The 1920 census and 1930 census indicate that they had six children:  Virginia M. Ziegler, Audra N. Ziegler, Wanda M. Ziegler, Betty J. Ziegler, Verda D. Ziegler, and Gordon R. Ziegler.  Gordon and Mae are buried in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Ohio.

 

CATHARINE KNAPPENBERGER (1817-1902)

Catharine was born 8 August 1817 in Strasburg, Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 1902 in Winfield, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  She married John Henry KEPLINGER, son of Joseph H. Keplinger and Catherine Snyder, on 6 June 1839 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  John was born January 1819 in Jefferson County, Virginia and died 25 June 1897 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  John Henry Keplinger was Postmaster at Winfield until 1892 and was reported to be the oldest postmaster in the USA when he retired at 73 years of age.  This couple is buried at Bunker Hill Cemetery, Winfield, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  Catharine and John had four children.


Catharine [Knappenberger] Keplinger
and, her husband, John Henry Keplinger
[photo graciously provided by Sue Appleton]


Catharine [Knappenberger] Keplinger and,
her husband, John Henry Keplinger at
Bunker Hill Cemetery, Winfield, Ohio
[photo graciously provided
by Patricia Purnell Dabbs]

1. Mary Ellen Keplinger born 10 January 1841 in Wayne Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 3 October 1928 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA.  She married William Lockridge DIXON, son of Daniel Dickson and Jane Boone, on 12 March 1859 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  William was born 1 February 1835 in Sandyville, Ohio and was a school teacher and minister.  William died 19 December 1917 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA.  This couple is buried in Homewood Cemetery in Pittsburgh, PA.  They had five children.


Mary Ellen [Keplinger] Dixon and,
her husband, Rev. William L. Dixon,
Brushton, Pennsylvania, Circa 1910

a. Alta Keplinger Dixon  born 1860 in Winfield, Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died in 1897 in Ohio.

b. Olive Dixon was born  about 1861 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 10 June 1863 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  She was buried in Bunker Hill Cemetery in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

c. Ira W. Dixon was born May 1862 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 8 August 1930 in Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas.  Ira married Anna L. GRIGG who was born July 1864 in Texas.  In the 1900 census, this family was living in Ft. Worth, Tarrant County, TX where Ira was a railroad conductor.  In 1920 and 1930, this couple was living in Little Rock, Arkansas where Ira was a conductor for the railroad.  They had one son:   Harry Kingsley Dixon (born 9 October 1898 in Ft. Worth, TX and died 23 June 1973 in Gregg County, TX) who seemingly never married.

d. Ida Alice Dixon was born 9 March 1869 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 20 March 1961 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA.  She is buried in Homewood Cemetery.  Ida never married and was both an artist and a musician.

e. John William Dixon, MD was born 28 February 1872 in Winfield, Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 12 June 1941 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA.  He married Margaret EVANS who was born 12 February 1867 in Pennsylvania and died 2 October 1949 in Pittsburgh, PA.  This couple is buried in Homewood Cemetery.  They had one daughter: Margaret Evans Dixon (19 December 1904 – 8 February 1933 in Pittsburgh, PA) who married C. Spence PURNELL (born about 1903 in Maryland) on 24 November 1927.

 


Mary Ellen [Keplinger] Dixon and, her daughter,
Ida Alice Dixon Wilkinsburg,
Pennsylvania, Circa 1910
[photos graciously provided
by Pat Purnell Dabbs]

2. William “Henry” Keplinger was born 24 September 1842 in Winfield, Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 30 April 1897 in Dover Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  He married Selecta HALEY, daughter of Jefferson Haley and Elizabeth Penrod, on 23 March 1865 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  Selecta was born 1846 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and died 1 August 1897 in Winfield, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  This couple is buried in Bunker Hill Cemetery near Winfield, Ohio.  They had four children.

a. Homer E. Keplinger  was born 10 May 1866 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 19 February 1911 in Dover Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  He married Milla [last name unknown] who was born about 1875 in Ohio and died sometime after 1911. Homer is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery in Dover Township, Ohio.  We have no records of any children.

b. Arthur “Scott” Keplinger was born 5 January 1868 in Winfield, Ohio and died 18 August 1950 in Dover Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  He married Cora May SCHWEITZER, daughter of Henry V. Schweitzer and Mary L. Walton,  about 1895 in Ohio.  Cora was born 13 April 1866 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 19 February 1935 in New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. They are buried in Fair Avenue Cemetery, New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  They had two children.

  • Mary Kathryn Keplinger was born 5 April 1896 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 19 November 1952 in Stark County, Ohio.  She married Max W. SHAWEKER, M.D., son of Samuel Shaweker, M.D. who was born 6 September 1889 in Baltic, Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died April 1956.  They had four girls.
  • William “Henry” Keplinger was born 25 May 1902 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 1 April 1981 in Sonoma County, California.  Henry married and had no children.

c. Minnie M. Keplinger was born about 1870 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  She married Edward E. KUHN who was born April 1879 in Ohio.  They had a daughter.  Nothing further is known of them at this time.

  • Beulah May Kuhn

d. Ruby G.  Keplinger was born 14 August 1877 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died August 1970 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida.  She married James A. GIBSON who was born May 1874 in Ohio.  Their marriage ended in divorce.  They had a daughter.

  • Esther L. Gibson was born 30 May 1900 in Ohio and died 4 September 1992 in St. Petersburg, Florida.  Esther married a Mr. BURKETT.

3. Clara A. Keplinger known as “Clarissa” was born 10 April 1845 in Winfield, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and died 20 February 1863 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  She married Aron Caleb JONES who was born 1836 in Ohio and died 31 December 1919 in Stark County, Ohio.  They married on 7 September 1862 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio – but she died only five months after her wedding.  Caleb seemingly remarried and had at least five children.

4. Winfield Scott Keplinger was born 2 September 1849 in Winfield, Ohio, and died 8 September 1850 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  He is buried in Broad Run Cemetery, near Winfield, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

 

DAVID KNAPPENBERGER (1823-1903)

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, Ohio with his wife and a number of his children.  David married Elisabeth F. McKIMSON on 23 January 1848 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.   Elisabeth was born 15 October 1824 in Barnesville, 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 8 children.  For more information about this family including photographs, please click on David’s name above.

 

JONATHAN KNAPPENBERGER (1827-1865)

Jonathan was born about 1827 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  He died in 1865 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and was buried beside his parents in Grandview Cemetery, Strasburg, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  Jonathan married R. Lavina SWARTZ on 4 May 1851 in Ohio.  Jonathan and Lavina had three children.  Lavina was left as a young widow with three small children upon Jonathan’s early death.  In 1867, two children, Eli R. Knappenberger and Mary Roselda Knappenberger, were minors and came under the guardianship of Philip A. Garver.  This guardianship ended in 1871.  Lavina married Thomas Cavanaugh about 1871 and moved to Missouri.  The 1880 census for St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri lists the following household:  “Thomas Cavanaugh, age 43, born in New York and a cooper.  His wife Lavina, age 47, born in Ohio.  His two stepchildren:  Ezra R. Knapp, age 23, born in Ohio and a grocer & Mary R. Knapp, age 16, born in Ohio.”  These children are really Eli Ransom Knappenberger and Mary Rosella Knappenberger whose last names had been shorted to KNAPP.  Lavina and Thomas Cavanaugh lived in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois in the 1900 census.  Lavina died sometime between 1900 and 1907 when her son married and noted that she was deceased.

1. Eli or Elias Ransom Knappenberger was born 28 December 1855 in Strasburg, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  In the 1860 census, he was listed as Elias R. Knappenberger, age 4.   In the 1870 census for Tuscarawas County, Ohio, he was listed as Eli R. Knappenberger, age 14.  The 1880 census lists his name as Ezra R. Knapp, age 23, living with his remarried mother, Lavina Cavanaugh in St. Joseph, Missouri.  The 1887-90 directory for St. Joseph, Missouri lists him as Eli R. Knapp as a grocer with a business at the southeast corner of Pacific and 10th.  E.R. Knapp, known henceforth as Edward Ransom Knapp, married Georgia Hayden STREETER, on 20 November 1907 in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana.  Their marriage license indicates that this was the first marriage for both of them and that they both resided in Chicago, Illinois.  Georgia was the daughter of Frederick D. Streeter and Almedia Ferris Moore.  Georgia was born 23 August 1873 in Kansas City, Missouri and died 20 March 1952.  At the time of his marriage to Georgia, E.R. Knapp listed his occupation as shoe buyer.  The 1920 census for Chicago, Cook County, Illinois lists him as Edward R. Knapp, age 52, born in Ohio as a proprietor of a coal and wood company.  Also in the household was Georgia H., age 45, born in Missouri.  No children are listed.  The 1930 census for Hobart, Lake County, Indiana, lists Ransom Knapp, born in Ohio, age 65, a proprietor of a variety store with his wife, Georgia, age 50, born in Missouri.  Ransom and Georgia were buried with her parents at Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois.  Ransom is buried with the name of Edward Ransom Knapp.  The obituary for E.R. Knapp who died 20 May 1932 in Hobart, Lake County, Indiana specifically states his name as Edward Ransom Knapp who was “known among early settlers of Wheeler and Porter County as Ransom Knappenberger….the son of Jonathan Knappenberger, member of a prominent family of Strasberg, and Levina Swartz Knappenberger, member of an early family in Porter County.”   The obituary states that he was one of two children and that his sister, Rose, had preceded him in death.  It also states that he was survived by his wife and a niece, Maude Hardesty Kroledge, of Gary, Indiana.  No children were listed.  Although his obituary gives his birth date as 1866, he was born in 1855/56 as indicated by the 1860 census that listed him as 4 years of age, the 1870 census that gave his age as 14 and the 1880 census that gave his age as 23.

2.  John Knappenberger, whose full name was most likely Jonathan like his father, was born about 1858 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  The 1860 census for Franklin Township,  Tuscarawas County, PA lists John, age 2, along with Elias R., age 4, in the household of Jonathan Knappenberger, age 33, and his wife, Lavinia, age 27.  It seems he died in 1863 most likely.  Jonathan Knappenberger is not listed as a minor child requiring guardianship in 1867.  Therefore, we believe that this Jonathan Knappenberger died about 1863 and is buried in Grandview Cemetery with his father and grandparents.  There are two Jonathan Knappenberger’s buried in the same plot in Grandview with one dying in 1863 (believe to be the son) and 1865 (believe to be the father).

3. Mary Rosella “Rose” Knappenberger was born 19 June 1863 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  Rose married Charles W. FEUQUAY on 8 September 1881 in Buchanan County, Missouri.  Rose and Charles, together with their two children, lived in Sparta, Centre Township, Buchanan County, Missouri in the late 1880s.  Rose died prior to 1892 most likely in Buchanan County, Missouri.  Charles remarried to Mattie in 1892.

a. Ransom Albery Feuquay was born 2 July 1884 in Buchanan County, Missouri and died April 1942 in Routt County, Coloardo.   In the 1910 census for Union Township, Porter County, Indiana he is listed as 24 years of age, single, living with his married sister, Maud Hardesty.  By the 1920 census and 1930 census, he was living in Elk Mountain Precinct, Routt County, Colorado as a farmer with his wife, Sabina Kilgallon.  They married 23 September 1918.  Sabina was born 25 August 1888 in Missouri and died 15 January 1973 in Arapahoe County, Colorado.  It seems that this couple had no children.  Ransom and Sabina are buried in Roselawn Cemetery, Pueblo County, Colorado.

b. Maud L. Feuquay was born 19 July 1881 in Buchanan County, Missouri and died 13 October 1942 in Lake County, Indiana.  She is buried in Mosier Cemetery, Porter County, Indiana.  She married John N.  HARDESTY, son of Harmon and Isabel Hardesty, on 2 March 1903 in Indiana.  John was born about 1863 in Indiana and died 28 April 1922 in Porter County, Indiana.  He is buried in Mosier Cemetery, Porter County, Indiana.  Maud and John Hardesty had nine children, eight of whom lived to adulthood.

  • Marie Rebecca Hardesty was born 7 February 1907 in Lake County, Indiana and died  7 November 1990 in Porter County, Indiana.  She married a Mr. COPPOCK.
  • John Russell Hardesty born 31 March 1909 in Indiana and died 2 May 1982 in Lake County, Indiana.  He married Ivy Winnifred BARNES on 25 August 1934.
  • Kenneth Ransom Hardesty was born 29 April 1910 in Porter County, Indiana and died 4 April 1974 in Lake County, Indiana.  He married Bernice Margarite LOCKWOOD (30 September 1915-17 April 1981).
  • Helen B. Hardestry was born 13 November 1913 in Porter County, Indiana and died 1 July 1990 in Lake County, Indiana.  She married Carl BODAMER.
  • Wilma Rose Hardesty was born 28 December 1914 in Porter County, Indiana and died 25 April 1998 in Lake County, Indiana.  She married a Mr. KLEIN and a Mr. ZYTKO.
  • Clyde Ervin Hardesty was born 26 November 1917 and died 7 January 1999 in Lake County, Indiana.
  • Lovina Ruth Hardesty known as “Dutch” was born 17 January 1919 in Porter County, Indiana and died 5 August 2009 in Lake County, Indiana.  She first married Samuel CAMPANO and later married Fred FAZEKAS.
  • Bruce Raymond Hardesty was born 13 July 1922 in Porter County, Indiana and died 21 November 2011 in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.  He married Anna V. PITZEL on 12 September 1983.  He married Grace on 9 May 2000.

Maud later married John KROLEDGE on 25 March 1925 in Indiana.  John was born 29 April 1877 in Porter County, Indiana and died 14 February 1963 in Lake County, Indiana.  On his WWI draft registration card, he lists his employer as John N. Hardesty.  Lake County, Indiana is where E.R. Knapp and his wife, Maud’s uncle and aunt, lived in the 1930 census.  When E.R. Knapp died in 1932, Maud was listed as a surviving niece in his obituary as “Maude Hardesty Kroledge of Gary”.  Maud and John Kroledge had a child.

  • John Lorraine Kroledge was born 25 July 1924 in Lake County, Indiana and died there on 17 April 1993.

 

CHILD OF J. PHILIP KNAPPENBERGER AND SUSAN HARTSHORN FITZGERALD

PHILIP KNAPPENBERGER, JR.  (1854-1911)

Philip Knappenberger, Jr. was born 30 April 1854 in Franklin Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 21 April 1911 in Cleveland, Ohio.  He is buried in Woodland Cemetery, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  From the History of Tuscarawas County, we learn that Philip was a farmer and breeder of short-horn cattle and Merino sheep who owned 230 acres of land in Franklin Township.

Philip, Jr. first married Mary Emma HARD, daughter of Edwin Hard and Susan Garnette – natives of England, on 1 February 1877.  Mary Emma was born 13 December 1855 in Canada and died 17 April 1891 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  She was buried in Woodland Cemetery, Cuyahoga County, Ohio  Philip and Mary Emma, his first wife, had three daughters and one son who died young.  After Mary Emma died, Philip, Jr. married Emma SMITH, daughter of William Smith and Pauline Yeager, June 1893 in Marion County, Ohio.  Emma was born 15 June 1858 in La Porte, Indiana and died 23 April 1935 in Marion County, Ohio.  She was buried in Marion Cemetery, Marion County, Ohio.  Philip and Emma, his second wife, had one son.

1. Theresa Edna Knappenberger known as “Tessa” was the daughter of Philip and Mary Emma Hard.  She was born 10 January 1878 in Franklin Twp., Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died April 1971 in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado.  She married John Walter GILLES, son of Robert Gilles and Lavinia Brown, on 18 June 1901 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  John was born May 1870 in Cleveland, Ohio and died 2 March 1939 in El Paso County, Colorado.  They are buried in Evergreen Cemetery, El Paso County, Colorado.  They ran a large laundry.  They had  four children.

a. Ruth E. Gilles was born 15 December 1902 in Colorado Springs, Colorado and died 4 December 1991 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  She never married and worked in the family laundry business.  She is buried in Evergreen Cemetery with her parents.

b. Lavinia Gilles was born about 1905 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  In the 1930 census, she was 25 years of age and single.  She died some time after 1942.  She also worked in the family laundry business.

c.  Walter P. Gilles was born 1907 in Colorado and died October 1909 there.  He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Colorado Springs, CO

d. Albert John Gilles was born March 1910 in Colorado Springs, Colorado and died June 1910 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery with his parents.

2. Susan E.(or G.)  Knappenberger known as “Susie” was the daughter of Philip and Mary Emma Hard.  She was born 21 January 1880 in Franklin Twp., Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 14 February 1910 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  She was buried in Woodland Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio.  She married William “John” GETHING, son of Thomas Gething and Elizabeth Thomas on 25 December 1902 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  John was born April 1879 in Wales and died sometime after 1951 in Madison County, Illinois where he was a superintendent for Laclede Steel Works.  Susie and John had a son born 16 February 1906 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio who did not survive.  After Susie’s death, John remarried to Lenora and lived in Madison County, Illinois and had two daughters.

3. Mary Ann Knappenberger was the daughter of Philip and Mary Emma Hard.  She was born February 1883 in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and died 8 August 1974 in Kerrville, Texas.  She was a school teacher in the Cleveland, Ohio schools.  Mary married George Dexter LUTHER, son of Frank C. Luther and Orrie Olive Dexter, in 1919 in Philadelphia, PA.  In the 1920 census, they were living in Lenawee County, Michigan.  In the 1930 census, they were living in Tucson, Arizona.  George was born 21 November 1894 in Adrian, Michigan and died 1 July 1973 in Kerrville, Kerr County, Texas.  No children were born to this couple.  George was an accountant.

4.  Walter E. Knappenberger was a son of Phillip, Jr. and his first wife, Mary Emma Hard.  He was born about 1889 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio and died there in 1892.  He is buried in Woodland Cemetery, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

5. Paul Knappenberger was the son of Philip and  his second wife, Emma Smith.  He was born 17 August 1895 in Cleveland, Ohio and died October 1969 in Lakeland, Polk County, Florida.  Paul served overseas during World War I.  Paul married Marian BURGESS, daughter of Samuel S. Burgess and Mary Hannah White, on 4 July 1919 in Covington, Kentucky.  Marian was born 28 December 1900 in Westville, Ohio and died 16 October 1988 in Lakeland, Florida.  Paul and Marian worked for Palmer Mattress Company in Lakeland, Florida in 1938.  They are buries in Oakhill Cemetery, Lakeland, Polk County, Florida.  They had two daughters.

a. Pauline Knappenberger was born 4 December 1919 in Marion County, Ohio and died 4 May 1996 in Lakeland, Polk County, Florida.  She married Warren Gilbert WATERS, son of Warren C. Waters and Kathleen Gilbert, in 1941 in Polk County, Florida.  Warren was born 13 October 1915 in Doughterty County, Georgia and died 24 March 1996 in Lakeland, Polk County, Florida.  By the 1945 Florida census for Polk County, they had two sons: Paul S. Waters and John W. Waters.

b. Louise Knappenberger known as “Beezie” was born 11 October 1922 in Marion County, Ohio, and died 21 July 2000 in Hillsborough County, Florida.  She married Lawrence E. PACHOUD, Jr. in 1944.   Lawrence was born 27 February 1921 in Ohio and died 18 January 1993 in Gwinnett County, Georgia.  This marriage ended in divorce in 1966.

 

SPECIAL THANKS

• Tuscarawas County Genealogical Society and their volunteers.
Their library in New Philadelphia, Ohio is an excellent resource of genealogical information.

• Orvill S. Paller for his help with the Elias Ransom Knappenberger/ Edward Ransom Knapp family.

• Patricia Spence Purnell Dabbs for her help on the Dixon family.

• Tom King and Ruth Dowakin for their invaluable assistance with the Keplinger family!

• Jim Hartline for his knowledge of Tuscarawas County families!

• Bonnie Carl for her continued assistance!

If you would like further information or would like to share family information, please contact us at jsappleton@windstream.net.