JOHN FREDERICK KNAPPENBERGER FAMILY

Being revised 2024

 

John Frederick
(1846-1920)
V
Elizabeth (1874-1950)
Nona Magdalena (1877-1916) > 3 Children
Hannah (1883-1968) > 2 Children
John “Albert” (1887-1963) > 4 Children
Edward William (1889-1977) > 2 Children
Emma L. (1892-1983) > 5 Children
Inez L. (1895-1919) 1 Child

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

John Frederick Knappenberger was born 6 November 1846 in Wuerttemberg, Germany and died 28 October 1920 in Waldo Township, Marion County, Ohio.  His parents, who never left Germany, were George Frederick Knappenberger (11 January 1808-27 July 1888) and Anna Marie Agathe WEBER (1 December 1807-26 October 1857).  John had an older sister, Elizabeth Rosine [Knappenberger] Ruth, who also immigrated to Marion County, Ohio with her husband, Frederick John Ruth.

John Frederick was first married in Germany on 24 August 1871 to Carolina Dorothea THEOBOLD.  Carolina was born 19 April 1846 in Germany and died 16 December 1878 in Germany.  With his first wife, he had two daughters who lived beyond infancy: Elizabeth Magdalena and Sophia “Nona” Magdalena.

John Frederick then married Catharine Rose LEIS in Germany on 11 December 1879.  Catharine Rose was born 14 May 1852 in Wuerttemberg, Germany and died 31 January 1921 in Waldo, Marion County, Ohio.  John Frederick arrived in the United States in 1881; Catharine Rose arrived in the United States in 1882.  Catharine Rose and the two daughters from John Frederick’s first marriage, Elizabeth and Nona, arrived on the ship “Rhynland” in New York on 1 June 1882.  The immigration information for Catharine Knappenberger lists her as 30 years of age upon her arrival in the USA and her country of origin as Wurttemburg.  Both John Frederick and Catharine Rose received their citizenship in 1888.  From the 1900 census we learn that John was a farmer and that he had seven children.  John and Catharine are buried in Prospect Cemetery in Waldo, Marion County, Ohio.

 

CHILDREN

ELIZABETH MAGDALENA KNAPPENBERGER (1874-1950)

Elizabeth, listed as “Lisilte” on the immigration records, was born 12 September 1874 in Wuerttemberg, Germany to John and his first wife.  She is listed as single in the 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940 censuses and a servant in the Edward Mautz household in Richland Township, Marion County, Ohio.  She died 22 March 1950 n Marion County, Ohio and was buried in Prospect Cemetery in Marion County, Ohio.  Elizabeth never married.

 

SOPHIE CHRISTINE KNAPPENBERGER (1877-1916)

Sophie was born 12 April 1877 in Wuerttemberg, Germany to John and his first wife and died 23 May 1916 in Marion County, Ohio. She is buried in Windfall Cemetery, Morrow County, Ohio.   She married William F. HIMLER, son of Edward Himler and Elizabeth Ackom, on 4 December 1904, in Marion County, Ohio.  William was born 9 September 1879 in Marion County, Ohio and died 13 August 1955 in Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio.  William and Sophia had three children.  William remarried after the death of Sophie to Anna Gehringer (29 July 1891-November 1970) and had two more children:  Gladys Himler (born about 1918) who married Wayne Beam and William R. Himler (born about 1924) who died during World War II in Europe.  William F. Himler was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Bucyrus, Ohio.

1.  Arthur Edward Himler, the child of Nona and William, was born 4 December 1905 in Marion County, Ohio and died on 12 September 1982 in Broward County, Florida.  He married Mabel Dell STRINE, daughter of James W. Strine and Emma Jane Klingel, on 10 September 1927 in Marion County, Ohio.    Mabel was born 12 March 1905 in Ohio and died 9 January 1997 in Broward County, Ohio.  Mabel remarried 4 August 1989 to Leroy Daniel Ensinger.  They are buried in Waldo Cemetery, Marion County, Ohio.   Arthur and Mable had two sons:  Arthur Edward Himler, Jr. (19 Sept 1929 – 15 March 1989 who married Charlene Louise Robinson (7 Aug 1931 – 3 march 2008)  and Robert Himler (1932).

2.  Harold John Himler, the child of Sophie and William, was born 26 December 1909 in Ohio and died 15 April 1969 in Allen County, Ohio.  He married Erma Gertrude SHULL, on 20 September 1932.  Erma was born 21 February 1910 in Ohio and died 20 February 1985 in Crawford County, Ohio.  They are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio.  They had a son named John A. Himler (15 April 1936 – 23 May 2011).

3.  Emma Elizabeth Himler, the child of Sophie and William, was born 23 May 1912 in Marion County, Ohio and died August 1986 in Mercer County, Ohio.  She married Arthur Frederick Elsasser, son of August Gustav Elsasser and Rosina Elizabeth Jacobs, 5 September 1936.  Arthur was born 1 May 1915 in Bucyrus, Ohio and died 22 June 1997 in Mercer County, Ohio.  They are buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Bucyrus, Ohio.  They had two children:  Joyce Elaine Elsasser and Arthur Frederick Elsasser, Jr.

 

HANNAH C. KNAPPENBERGER (1883-1968)

Hannah, daughter of John and Catharine, was born 11 May 1883 in Marion County, Ohio and died May 1968 in Ashley, Delaware County, Ohio.  She married John Wesley REELY, son of Jacob Reely and Christina Mack, on 31 March 1909 in Marion County, Ohio.  John was born 8 November 1862 in Marion County, Ohio and died 24 September 1933 in Delaware County, Ohio.  They are buried in Waldo Cemetery.  They had two children.

1.  Inez K. Reely was born 5 December 1910 in Marion County, Ohio and died 1 December 1996 in Marion County,  Ohio.  She married John W. BALDWIN who was born 27 November 1908 and  died 7 February 1985 in Marion County, Ohio.  They are buried in Ashley Union Cemetery, Delaware County, Ohio.

2. Ralph J. Reely was born 1 March 1915 in Ohio and died 14 November 1971 in Delaware County, Ohio.  He married Inez Eileen Rollins who was born 1 May 1917 in Logan County, Ohio and died 4 January 1997 in Delaware County, Ohio.  They had a daughter, Joan Louise Reely.

 

JOHN “ALBERT” KNAPPENBERGER or ALBERT JOHN KNAPPENBERGER (1887-1963)

John “Albert”, son of John and Catharine, was born 26 May 1887 in Richland Township, Marion County, Ohio and died 10 March 1963 in Columbus, Ohio.  His World War I draft registration gives his name as John Albert Knappenberger.  He married Flora P.  RUSH, daughter of Stephen Blatchley Rush and Mary Berry, on 10 May 1919 in Marion County, Ohio.  Flora was  born 20 November 1898 in Waldo Township, Marion County, Ohio and died 9 March 1967 in Marion County, Ohio.  They are buried in Waldo Cemetery in Marion County, Ohio.  Albert and Flora had four children.

1.  Jeraldine “Jerri” L. Knappenberger was born 6 June 1920 in Marion County, Ohio and died 11 January 2020 in Upper Sandusky, Ohio and is buried in Waldo Cemetery, Marion County, Ohio.  She married Cecil William SMITH on 3 September 1939.  Cecil was born 8 July 1917 in Marion County, Ohio and died November 1975 in Marion County, Ohio and was buried in Waldo Cemetery.   Jerri remarried on 16 January 1979 to Robert W. Daugherty, son of Harry F. Daugherty and Mahala Mae Miller.   Robert was born 14 August 1918 in Elyria, Ohio and died 22 February 2005 in Marion County, Ohio.  He was buried in Waldo Cemetery, Marion County, Ohio.

2.  Betty Jean Knappenberger was born 20 April 1926 in Marion County, Ohio and died there on 22 September 1994.  She was first married to Carl Walter GRANGER, son of Alonzo and Gertrude H. Conway, on 22 January 1945.  Carl was born 7 July 1922 in Marion County, Ohio.  This marriage ended in divorce.  They had 6 children.  In 1970, she married Carroll C. CONKLIN, Jr. DDS, son of Carroll Clifford Conklin, St. and Mildred H. Stark.   Carroll (Jr)  was born 11 May 1925 and died 8 May 2004 in Marion County, Ohio.   Betty Jean and Carroll are buried in Waldo Cemetery.  Betty Jean’s children from her first marriage are:  Sue, Jeanne, John Michael, Carl Christopher, James and Jan.

3.  Joseph A. Knappenberger was born 19 February 1934 in Marion County, Ohio and died 6 June 2011 in Marion County, Ohio.  He married Barbara Jean HENTZE, daughter of Dan K. Hentze, on 19 January 1957.  Barbara was born 13 August 1934 in Loraine, Ohio and died 31 December 2021 in Vermillion, Ohio.   They are buried in the Waldo Cemetery, Marion County, Ohio.   They had two children:  Dan and Kelly.

4. Jackie Edward Knappenberger was born 23 December 1931 in Marion County, Ohio and died there on 16 April 1933 at the age of 1 year, 3 months and 8 days.

 

EDWARD WILLIAM KNAPPENBERGER (1889-1977)

Edward William, son of John and Catharine, was born 22 June 1889 in Marion County, Ohio and died 14 March 1977 in Marion County, Ohio.  He married Mary M. RENTSCHLER, daughter of George Rentschler and Christenia Aidt.  Mary was born 26 July 1891 in Marion County and died 12 March 1965 in Marion County, Ohio.  This couple married 10 April 1920 in Marion County, Ohio.   This couple had twin daughters.

1. Mae Eileen Knappenberger was born 23 June 1925 in Marion County, Ohio and died 24 June 2009 in Columbus, Ohio.   She married Gerald Harvey SCHROTE, son of Harvey Wesley Schrote and Lillian Lindora Beckel, on 21 June 1953 in Waldo, Ohio.  Gerald was born 7 June 1925 in Marion County, Ohio and died 23 March 2002 in Marion County, Ohio. Mae is buried in Waldo Cemetery, Marion County, Ohio.  This couple had 5 children: Eileen Kay Schrote, Ronald Gerald Schrote, Melinda Ann Schrote, Karen Louise Schrote and Mary Susan Schrote.

2. Mary Ellen Knappenberger was born 23 June 1925 in Marion County, Ohio and is the twin of Mae Eileen   She died 22 October 2016 and is buried in Waldo Cemetery, Marion County, Ohio.

 

EMMA N. KNAPPENBERGER (1892-1983)

Emma N., daughter of John and Catharine, was born 4 July 1892 in Marion County, Ohio  and died 30 September 1983 in Marion County, Ohio.  She married William John OEHLER, son of Charles Gottlieb Oehler and Fredericke Elizabeth Kurtz, on 31 March 1912 in Marion County, Ohio.  William was born 21 August 1882 in Marion County Ohio and died 24 December 1941 in Marion County, Ohio.  His parents were from Germany. They are buried in Prospect Cemetery, Marion County, Ohio.  This couple had 7 children.

1.  Paul George Oehler was born 22 February 1914 in Marion County, Ohio and died 31 March 1915 in Marion County, Ohio.  He is buried in Prospect Cemetery.

2.  Ruth Kay Oehler was born 25 January 1916 in Marion County, Ohio and died 14 May 1966 in Marion County, Ohio.  She married Charles H. ARNDT on 2 February 1941 in Mansfield, Ohio.  Charles was born 4 July 1888 and died 1 January 1977 in Marion County, Ohio.  Ruth is buried in Prospect Cemetery.  They had a son: Charles Richard Arndt.

3. Freida E. Oehler was born 11 January 1918 in Marion County, Ohio and died April 1975 in Columbus, Ohio.  She married Keith E. BLUE, son of E. Herbert Blue.  Keith was born 2 August 1914 and died January 1978 in Delaware County, Ohio.  They are buried in Prospect Cemetery.  They had 3 children:  Barbara Blue, Robert Blue and James Blue.

4.  Magdaline M. Oehler known as “Mickie” was born 28 July 1921 in Marion County, Ohio and died 8 August 2009.  She married Richard E. RUTH, son of Oscar Ruth and Goldie Hensel, on 31 March 1946.  Richard was born 12 April 1922 and died 23 Jan 2001 in Marion County, Ohio.  They are buried in Prospect Cemetery.  They had two children: Roger Ruth and Judith Ruth.

5. Carl Edward Oehler was born 16 March 1924 in Marion County, Ohio and died 10 June 1999 in Crawford County, Ohio.  He married Pauline G. [maiden name unknown] about 1953.  This marriage ended in divorce.  They had 3 children:  Cheryl Oehler, Russell Oehler and Kimberly Oehler.

6. Cecil B. Oehler was born 13 December 1926 in Prospect, Marion County, Ohio and died 16 May 2011 in Marion County, Ohio.  He first married Bernice A. [maiden name unknown] about 1947.  This marriage ended in divorce in 1967.  They had two children:  Larry Oehler and Karen Oehler.  Cecil remarried on 20 June 1969 to Vera L. Criswell Stover.

 

INEZ L. KNAPPENBERGER (1895-1919))

Inez L., daughter of John and Catharine, was born 25  February 1895 in Marion County,Ohio and died 16 January 1919 in Marion County, Ohio.   She was listed as 15 years of age in the 1910 census living with her parents.  However, at the time of her father’s death in 1920, she was not listed as a survivor.  Inez married William Frederick HERRIGEL, son of John Herrigel and Caroline Shiveley, on 4 January 1915 in Marion County, Ohio.  Frederick was born January 1895 in Marion County, Ohio and died 21 March 1967 in Marion County, Ohio.   They are buried in Marion Cemetery.   They had a son.

1. James W. Herrigel was born 11 August 1915 in Marion County, Ohio and died 8 July 1982 in Marion County, Ohio.  He is buried in Marion Cemetery.  In the 1920 census, he was living in the household of Bertha and Frank Letterle and his grandparents John and Caroline Herrigel.  In the 1930 census, he was listed as a nephew in the household of Upton E. and Catherine Longshore.

 

Are you a member of this family?  Please contact us jsappleton@windstream.net.  Thank you!

 

SPECIAL THANKS

Richard Arndt for his interest and assistance with this family!