JOHAN HENRICH “HENRY”
KNAPPENBERGER III FAMILY OF
BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Johan Michael
(1709-1751)
V
Johan Henrich
(1744-1818)
V
Johan Henrich Jr
(1781-1833)
V
Johan Henrich III
(1811-1857)
V
Henry Miller (1836-1910)
Lussiana/Lucy Ann (1838-1851)
William (1840-1843)
Amelia (1845-?) > 1 Child
Penrose Miller (1847-1917) > 7 Children
Anna Mariah (1849-1910) > 2 Children
David Miller (1852-1919) > 1 Child
Amanda Jane (1856-1924) > 7 Children
GENERAL INFORMATION
Henry Knappenberger III was born 3 May 1811 in Northampton County, PA (later to become Lehigh County in 1812). He was the son of Johan Henrich, Jr. and grandson of Johan Henrich (Henry) Knappenberger. Henry died 10 August 1857 in Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA. Henry was a farmer. He married Maria J. MILLER, daughter of Michael Miller and Susanna Schubert. Maria was born 24 March 1812 and died 20 December 1888 in Topton, Berks County, PA. This couple is buried in Lehigh Church Cemetery, Alburtis, Lehigh County, PA. This couple had eight children.
CHILDREN
HENRY MILLER KNAPPENBERGER (1836-1910)
Henry Miller was the fourth generation to be named “Henry” and is sometimes referred to as “Henry IV”. He was born 13 September 1836 in Lehigh County, PA and died 6 August 1910 in Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA. It seems that Henry never married. He is buried with his brother David Miller in the Lehigh Zion Church Cemetery in Alburtis, PA.
Henry Miller Knappenberger’s tombstone at
Lehigh Zion Church Cemetery, Alburtis, PA
[photo graciously provided by Diane M. White]
LUSSIANA OR LUCY ANN KNAPPENBERGER (1838-1851)
Lucy Ann was born 3 June 1838 and died in 1851. She is buried in Lehigh Zion Church Cemetery in Alburtis, PA – where her gravestone reads “Lussiana”. She was only 13 years old at her death.
WILLIAM KNAPPENBERGER (1840-1843)
William was born 25 April 1840 and died 12 December 1843 and is also buried in Lehigh Zion Church Cemetery in Alburtis, PA. He was only 3 years old when he died.
AMELIA KNAPPENBERGER (1845-?)
Amelia was born 9 February 1845 in Berks County, PA. She died sometime between 1920 and 1930. She married George RAUDENBUSH who was born April 1838 in PA. He died sometime between 1920 and 1930. They had one child.
1. Maggie M. Raudenbush was born May 1868 in Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA. Maggie remained single.
PENROSE MILLER KNAPPENBERGER (1847-1917)
Penrose Miller was born 21 April 1847 in Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA and died 27 February 1917 in Mertztown, Berks County, PA. He is buried at St. Paul’s Church, Mertztown, Berks County, PA along with his two wives. Penrose was the tax collector in Longswamp Township in 1885 and was a farmer by occupation. He first married Emaline WARMKESSEL known as “Emma”, daughter of Joseph Warmkessel and Lydia Newmoyer, who was born 2 October 1845 in Lower Macungie, Lehigh County, PA and died 16 May 1888 in Berks County, PA. Penrose and Emaline had three children: Sarah Minerva, James Edward and Iva Lillian. After Penrose’s first wife died in 1888, he married Ellen M. HAMSCHER, daughter of Alfred Hamscher and Catharine Warmkessel. Ellen was born 14 October 1871 in Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA and died 2 December 1957 in Mertztown, Berks County, PA. Penrose and Ellen had four children: Harry Ellis, Mae M., Raymond H. and Lulu E.
SEATED ON BENCH: Penrose Miller Knappenberger
with his second wife, Ellen M. Hamscher,
and with his child, Lulu E.
CHILDREN IN REAR: Iva Lillie and James Edward
CHILD STANDING AT LEFT: Mae M. “Maria”
CHILD SITTING AT RIGHT: Sarah Minerva “Sallie”
CHILD SITTING ON GROUND: Harrison E. “Harry”
CHILD NOT PICTURED: Raymond H.
Circa 1904
[photo graciously provided by
Jay & Nancy Knappenberger
who were given the photos
by Jackson Penrose Serfas]
Penrose Miller Knappenberger’s second wife,
Ellen M. Hamscher, and sixth child,
Raymond “Ray” H. Knappenberger, in 1917
Ellen M. [Hamscher] Knappenberger
Longswamp Church & Cemetery, Berks County, PA
Mertztown Church, Berks County, Pennsylvania,
Penrose Miller Knappenberger family burial grounds
[all photos graciously provided
by Jay & Nancy Knappenberger]
1. Sarah Minerva Knappenberger known as “Sallie” was the daughter of Penrose and Emaline. She was born 17 October 1875 in Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA and died 21 May 1959 in Carbon County, PA. Sallie married Jacob Amos TREXLER, MD, son of David S. Trexler and Ella V. Weiler, on 28 August 1900 in Allentown, PA. Jacob was born 23 August 1873 in Berks County, PA and died 15 April 1956 in Carbon County, PA. They are buried in Lehighton Cemetery, Carbon County, PA. Jacob and Sallie had three children.
Sarah “Sallie” Minerva [Knappenberger] Trexler,
Lehighton Cemetery, Carbon County, PA
[photo graciously provided
by Jay & Nancy Knappenberger]
a. Lois K. Trexler was born 19 March 1901 in PA and died 3 April 1995 in Alameda County, CA. She married Donald Paxon BRYAN, Sr. who was born 8 January 1901 and died 1 February 1981. They are buried in Lehighton Cemetery, Carbon County, PA. They had two children: Donald Paxon Bryan, Jr. (22 January 1926-13 November 2010) and Barbara Lois Bryan.
b. Olga K. Trexler was born 23 December 1903 and died 26 December 1996. She married Charles Frederick H. SPIEKER who was born 21 July 1901 and died 10 June 1972. They are buried in Lehighton Cemetery, Carbon County, PA.
c. Marian K. Trexler was born 7 October 1910 in Monroe County, PA and died 22 January 1999. She married Lester William KRUM who was born 31 March 1910 and died June 1977. They are buried in Lehighton Cemetery, Carbon County, PA. They had three children: Susan Marion Krum, William Trexler Krum and Peter James Krum.
2. James “Edward” Knappenberger was the son of Penrose and Emaline. He was born 21 June 1878 in Berks County, PA and died September 1964 in Carbon County, PA. He married Martha SEDGMAN, daughter of William Sedgeman and Eliza J. Rule, on 14 April 1904. Martha was born October 1884 and died in 1936 in Carbon County, PA. This couple is buried in Gnaden Huetten Cemetery in Lehighton, PA. James and Martha had three children.
a. James Penrose Knappenberger was born 9 January 1905 in New Jersey and died October 1972 in PA. He married Arline Grace MATTERN who was born 30 January 1909 and died 10 June 1973.
b. William S. Knappenberger was born 23 October 1906 in New Jersey and died 11 March 1989 in PA. He married Annabelle E. HILL who was the daughter of Franklin Hill and Ella V. Krumand who was born 24 September 1906 and died 19 January 1994. William S. Knappenberger served during World War II.
c. Edward Rule Knappenberger was born 14 October 1914 in New Jersey and died 30 August 1987 in Carbon County, PA. He married Pearl M. KRICK, daughter of Harry W. and Lillie Mae Krick, in 1935. Pearl was born 16 August 1915 in Jamestown, PA and died 8 April 2016 in Lehighton, PA at the age of 100. They had two sons: Edward and Jay. Edward Rule Knappenberger served during World War II.
3. Iva Lillian Knappenberger known as “Lillie” was the daughter of Penrose and Emaline. She was born 31 July 1884 in Berks County, PA and died 20 April 1976 in Montgomery County, PA. She married Theodore Adolphus SERFAS, son of Jackson David Serfas and Cornelia Shupp, on 31 July 1909. Theodore was born 23 July 1881 in Monroe County, PA and died 10 June 1959 in Montgomery County, PA. They are buried in Hillside Cemetery at Roslyn, PA. Iva and Theodore had four children.
a. Jackson Penrose Serfas was born 26 November 1910 in Carbon County, PA and died 4 August 2005.
b. Ethel Iva Serfas was born 15 June1912 in Carbon County, PA and died 7 June 1991 in Montgomery County, PA. She married John Philip KLINGMAN, Sr. who was born 26 September 1906 and died 1 January 1998. They had two children: John and Stephen.
c. Ardyth Cornelia Serfas was born 6 November 1919 in Carbon County, PA and died 9 November 1919.
d. Theodore Adolphus Serfas, Jr. was born 27 November 1921 and died 12 July1963 in PA. He married Joan Carolyn DENYSE on 11 March 1944 in Alabama. The marriage ended in divorce. They had three children: Theodore, James and Drew.
4. Harrison Ellis Knappenberger known as “Harry” was the son of Penrose and Ellen. He was born 9 November 1890 in Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA and died 22 January 1967 in Berks County, PA. Harry was a farmer. He first married M. Esther FRITCH, daughter of Tilghman L. Fritch and Esther L. Fegley, on 14 October 1913 in Berks County, PA. Esther was born December 1886 in Berks County, PA and died 26 January 1914 in Berks County, PA. Records indicate no children to this marriage. After the death of his first wife, Harry married Carrie M. BAUER, daughter of John F. Bauer and Nora L. Guldin, on 17 June 1920 in Berks County, PA. Carrie was born 12 December 1889 in Berks County, PA and died 24 February 1970 in Berks County, PA. They are buried in Mertztown Church Cemetery, Berks County, PA. Harry and Carrie had one daughter.
a. Caroline Bauer Knappenberger was the daughter of Harry and Carrie. She was born 5 July 1923 in Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA and died 3 September 2007 in Reading, PA. She married Henry Albert FEGELY (28 January 1916-16 October 1997) on 28 July 1943 in Berks County, PA. Henry was the son of David E. Fegely and Mary S. Rauenzahn. They had two daughters: Nancy and Elaine.
5. Mae M. Knappenberger was the daughter of Penrose and Ellen. She was born 26 January 1894 in Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA and died 23 June 1972. She was a teacher by occupation at the time of her marriage. She married Donald Ervin GERY, son of Erwin C. Gery and Elizabeth Baus, on 10 August 1918 in Reading, PA. Donald was born 9 March 1897 in Berks County, PA and died 14 October 1968. It seems that they had no children.
6. Raymond H. Knappenberger known as “Ray” was the son of Penrose and Ellen. He was born 19 June 1897 in Berks County, PA and died July 1982 in Emmaus, Lehigh County, PA. He married Lida S. HELBERT, daughter of Edwin I. Helbert and Alice Mary Reinert, on 10 January 1920 in Berks County, PA. Lida was born 1899 in Berks County, PA and died 12 January 1966 in Emmaus, Lehigh County, PA. Ray served as a soldier in the US Army during World War I. There is a photo of him in uniform on the Veterans Page. He was in the “Engineers of First Division” and spent some time in France. This couple had one daughter.
a. Gladys R. Knappenberger was born 19 July 1920 in Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA and died 13 December 2002 in Emmaus, Lehigh County, PA. She married Raymond A. KNELLER, son of Howard E. and Sallie Kneller, in March 1938. Raymond was born 1 March 1919 in Lehigh County, PA and died there on 3 July 2007. They had two sons: Larry and Allan.
7. Lulu E. Knappenberger was the daughter of Penrose and Ellen. She was born 2 May 1902 in Berks County, PA and died 6 December 1973 in Berks County, PA. Lulu married Solon Elmer ADAM sometime after 1930. Solon was a widower upon his marriage to Lulu. Solon was born 13 May 1877 in Berks County, PA and died March 1956 in Berks County, PA. Lulu Knappenberger Adam taught in the Longswamp Township Schools for 44 years until retiring. They are buried in St. Paul’s Church Cemetery in Mertztown, Berks County, PA. It seems that they had no children.
Lulu E. Knappenberger, from her
Keystone Normal School yearbook, 1921
ANNA “MARIAH” KNAPPENBERGER (1849-1910)
Mariah also known as “Mary” was born 31 May 1849 in Berks County, PA and died 23 March 1910 in Berks County, PA. Mariah married Cyrus Koller LESSIG, son of Levi Lessig and Esther Koller, on 1 October 1870. Cyrus was born 15 December 1848 in Richmond Township, Berks County, PA and died 1 August 1915 in Berks County, PA. Cyrus was a butcher. This couple is buried at Longswamp Church Cemetery. They had two children.
Mariah [Knappenberger] Lessig
[photo graciously provided
by Jay & Nancy Knappenberger]
1. James Henry Lessig was born 24 March 1871 in Berks County, PA and died 1942 in Berks County, PA. In 1897, he married Sarah “Alice” MASTER, the adopted daughter of Evan Master. Alice was born October 1871 in PA and died 1961 in Berks County, PA. James was a butcher. James and Alice are buried in Topton Union Cemetery, Berks County, PA. They had two daughters.
a. Ardath H. Lessig was born May 1900 in Berks County, PA
b. Florence N. Lessig was born 1903 in Berks County, PA.
2. Anna A. Lessig known as “Annie” was born 8 February 1873 in Berks County, PA and died 12 February 1934 in Lehigh County, PA. She married Ira Erdman DESCH in 1900 in Berks County, PA. Ira was born 14 April 1876 in PA and died 1920 in Berks County, PA. They had 3 children.
a. Ralph L. Desch born about 1903 in Lehigh County, PA and died 1913.
b. Paul L. Desch was born 12 August 1905 and died 13 June 1992 in Lehigh County, PA. He was single in 1943 when he enlisted in World War II.
c. Ruth L. Desch was born about 1915 in Berks County, PA.
DAVID MILLER KNAPPENBERGER (1852-1919)
David Miller was born 2 February 1852 in Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA and died 21 February 1919. David never married, but he did have a child with Caroline Dry BRISKY.
David Miller Knappenberger
Lehigh Zion Church Cemetery, Lehigh County, PA
[photo graciously provided by Diane M. White]
1. Jennie A. Knappenberger was the child of David Miller Knappenberger and Caroline Dry Brisky. She was born about 1882 in Berks County, PA. Jennie married Frederick S. SPAYD, son of Frank Spayd and Sallie Spayd, on 28 September 1914 in Berks County, PA. Frederick lived from 8 January 1891 to December 1980.
AMANDA JANE KNAPPENBERGER (1856-1924)
Amanda Jane was born in March 1856 in Berks County, PA and died in March 1924 in Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA. She is buried in Lehigh Church Cemetery in Alburtis, PA. Amanda married Charles Henry RITTER known as “Harry” who was born December 1853 in PA. Harry died sometime between the 1910 and 1920 census. They had seven children.
1. William Ritter was born October 1877 in Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA. In the 1900 census he was listed as a butcher, age 23 and single living with his parents.
2. Annie M. Ritter was born 13 January 1882 in Berks County, PA. She married Henry G. KRIEBEL who was born 15 October 1882 in Berks County, PA.
3. James F. Ritter was born November 1884 in Berks County, PA and died 5 October 1965 in Allentown, Lehigh County, PA. He married Elsie J. DUNSTAN who was born about 1883 in PA and was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Dunstan. They had 5 children: Mildred P. (born 1909) who married Wilbur E. SPERLBAUM (1909-1981), Nell who married Paul L. FREDRICK, Marian who married Merwin BEHLER (1919-1984), Ruth, and Ethel who married Charles W. SMITH.
4. Charles H. Ritter was born June 1886 in Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA. He married Meda H. [maiden name unknown] who was born about 1890 in PA. They had three daughters: Verna M. Ritter (born about 1908), Lillian M. Ritter (born about 1910) and Florence E. Ritter (born about 1913).
5. Elsie E. Ritter was born 25 July 1888 in Berks County, PA and died May 1979 in Lehigh County, PA. She married Irwin Michael CHRISTMAN, son of Jacob M. Christman and Matilda Gery. Irwin was born 30 May 1878 and died sometime after the 1920 census. They had 4 children: Clarence E. Christman (20 October 1908-May 1980), Charles Henry Christman (22 December 1910-August 1983) who married Evelyn SCHIRMAKER (born about 1918), Woodrow W. Christman (4 February 1913-5 July 1919) and Orella A. Christman (25 May 1923-8 June 1990) who married Roland J. DONCSES (born April 1928).
6. Ella M. Ritter was born March 1893 in Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA.
7. Clarence Ritter was born October 1894 in Longswamp Township, Berks County, PA
SPECIAL THANKS
Jay and Nancy Knappenberger for their help and support on this family and for sharing their family photo of Penrose Miller Knappenberger!
Jim Hutchins for supplying corrections and additions to the Penrose Knappenberger family.
If you would like further information or would like to share information, please contact us at jsappleton@windstream.net.