THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR
PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT
ABRAHAM KNAPPENBERGER (1833-1904)
Abraham was born 30 January 1833 in Carbon County, PA. The 1890 census for Carbon County, PA lists Abraham as having been a Private in Company K of the 3rd Regiment of Pennsylvania working with artillery from 15 March 1864 to 9 November 1865. The Pennsylvania Veterans’ Burial Record lists Abraham as having served as a private with the 3rd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company K. Abraham died 15 November 1904 in Palmerton, Carbon County, PA and is buried in the Little White Church Cemetery, Carbon County, PA.
*CHARLES KNAPPENBERGER (1840-1862)
Charles Knappenberger’s gravemarker
at Antietam National Cemetery, Maryland
[photo graciously provided by
Clifford James “Chip” Knappenberger II]
Charles was born 1840 in Monroe County, PA and died 1 December 1862 from the wounds he suffered at the Battle of Antietam in Maryland on 17 September 1862. The casualty sheet lists him as being wounded with the 28th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry near Sharpsburg, Maryland and states he was part of the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 12th Corps. He is buried at Antietam National Cemetery in grave 4050 with his name misspelled as “Knoppenberger” on the stone. Charles joined the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry on 17 August 17 1861 and was mustered in 30 August 1861. After being wounded, he was transferred to the 147th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company C. Charles was the son of Thomas Knappenberger of Carbon County (1809-1857) and grandson of Henry Knappenberger, Jr. (1781-1833).
HIRAM N. KNUPPENBURG (1827-1886)
Hiram N. was born 3 December 1827 in Pennsylvania and was a Private in the 148th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company H. He enlisted 16 August 1862 and was discharged 26 June 1863 with a disability. It seems likely that Hiram was injured in the Battle of Chancellorsville which occurred May 1-5 in which his regiment took part. He was one of four Knuppenburg brothers who fought during the Civil War. Hiram was a son of Adam Knuppenburg (1794-1870) and grandson of Philip Adam Knappenberger (1742-1823) who fought in the Revolutionary War. Hiram was one of four Knuppenburg brothers who fought in the Civil War.
JACKSON KNAPENBERGER
Jackson enlisted 16 October 1862 as a Private in Company K, 168th Infantry Regiment of Pennsylvania. This regiment was formed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It seems Jackson deserted on 1 December 1862. At this time, we do not have a Jackson Knapenberger in our database. However, the 1860 census, for the Clarion County Knappenbergers list their name with one “p” so possibly he was from this family.
JACOB KNAPPENBERGER (1838-1911)
Jacob was born 1838 and died 8 May 1911 in Westmoreland County, PA. Jacob was drafted into the 168th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K as a Private. This regiment was organized at Pittsburgh between October 16th and December 1st in 1862. They were moved to Washington, DC and then on to Newport News and Suffolk, VA. Later they were moved to New Berne, NC and were on duty there until June 1863. This unit was mustered out 25 July 1863. Casualties and losses for the regiment included 1 officer and 24 enlisted men by disease. Jacob was the son of Joseph Knappenberger (1810-1883), grandson of John Knappenberger of Westmoreland County (1774-1863), and great-grandson of Conrad Knappenberger (1748-1818) – a Revolutionary War veteran.
*JONATHAN “JONAS” KNAPPENBERGER (1827-1862)
“Jonas” was born 1 April 1827 in Lehigh County, PA and died 22 October 1862 in Pocotaligo, South Carolina. He left behind a widow, Sarah Ann, and four young daughters. Jonas was a Private in the 47th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company G. His regiment was recruited inAugust 1861 and was sent to Camp Curtin near Harrisburg for training. September 1st, they were sent to Washington, DC and then arrived in Key West, Florida on 4 February 1862. By late June and early July 1862, they were in Hilton Head and Beaufort, South Carolina. According to information on his regiment, late in October 1862, he took part in the movement to Pocotaligo, South Carolina to break the Charleston & Savannah Railroad known later as the “Second Battle of Pocotaligo”. Private Knappenberger was killed in action near the Frampton Plantation when his regiment was serving as the rearguard for the Union retreat and received heavy fire from the Confederate force. With 43 dead and 294 wounded, it is most likely that Jonas’ body remained on the spot where he died. Sadly, none of the four men killed in his company that day are buried in marked graves in the Beaufort National Cemetery where the wounded that later died were interred, nor is his name listed on any of the several monuments to the 47th Pennsylvania Infantry. Jonas was the son of Henry Knappenberger, Jr. (1781-1833) and the grandson of J. Henry Knappenberger (1744-1818) – a Revolutionary War veteran.
PHILANDER S. KNUPPENBURG (1830-1912)
Philander, born 23 September 1830 and died 29 January 1912, was drafted into the 171st Pennsylvania Infantry, Company B as a Private. He entered the service on 2 November 1862 and was mustered out in Harrisburg, PA on 7 August 1863. A history of this regiment states, “This regiment was mainly from the counties of Bradford, Juniata, Lycoming, Somerset, and Tioga, and was organized at Camp Curtin, about the middle of November, 1862.” Philander was a son of Adam Knuppenburg (1794-1870) and grandson of Philip Adam Knappenberger (1742-1823) who fought in the Revolutionary War. Philander was one of four Knuppenburg brothers who fought in the Civil War.
NEW YORK REGIMENT
JOHN PRESTON KNUPPENBURG (1839-1922)
John Preston, born 21 July 1839 and died 26 May 1922, fought as a Private with Company G, 5th Cavalry Regiment, New York. He enlisted on 8 February 1864 in Nichols, New York at the age of 24. John was mustered out on 19 July 1865 in Winchester, Virginia. He was the son of Adam Knuppenburg (1794-1870) and grandson of Philip Adam Knappenberger (1742-1823) who fought in the Revolutionary War. John was one of four Knuppenburg brothers who fought in the Civil War.
MYRON N. KNUPPENBURG (1834-1907)
Myron N., born 9 May 1834 and died 7 May 1907, enlisted 10 November 1861 in Oswego, New York as a Private in the 64th New York Infantry, Company H. He was mustered out 14 July 1865 in Washington, DC. Myron was a son of Adam Knuppenburg (1794-1870) and grandson of Philip Adam Knappenberger (1742-1823) who fought in the Revolutionary War. Myron was one of four Knuppenburg brothers who fought in the Civil War.
WILLIAM S. KNAPPENBERG(ER) (1840-1915)
William S. Knappenberg(er) was born 10 October 1840 in Livingston County, New York and died 5 January 1915 in New York. He enlisted in Mount Morris, New York on 29 August 1862 at the age of 22. He entered as a Private with the 136th New York Infantry, Company F. William was promoted to a Full Corporal on 1 January 1864. On 16 March 1865, on the skirmish line at Averasboro, North Carolina, he was slightly wounded in the right heel. He was mustered out in Washington, DC on 13 June 1865. He is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Nunda, New York. He was the son of Henry B. Knappenberg (1803-1887), grandson of John Adam Knappenberg (1769-1830) and great-grandson of J. Henry Knappenberger (1744-1818) who fought in the Revolutionary War. THANKS to John Du Bois, organizer of The Descendants of the 136th New York Volunteers, for additional information about William S. Knappenberg.
INDIANA REGIMENT
HENRY B. KNAPPENBERGER (1817-1884)
Henry B. fought with the 4th Indiana Cavalry, Company C as a Private and then later was with the 17th Veteran Reserve Corps, Company H of the 4th Indiana Cavalry. He enlisted 2 August 1862. The Civil War pension index lists his wife’s name as Susan. His obituary states that Henry, “had served his country, honorably, about three years as a cavalry soldier in the war of Rebellion, receiving injuries for which he should have had a pension, but, through the long, tedious delays in obtaining pensions, he passed to his final reward before his pension came.” Henry was a son of William Knappenberger (1791-1839) of Tuscarawas County, Ohio and grandson of Conrad Knappenberger (1748-1818) – a Revolutionary War veteran.
JOHN KNAPPENBERGER
John was a Quarter Master Sergeant with the 23rd Battery of the Indiana Light Artillery. He enlisted on 8 November 1862 and listed his hometown as Fort Wayne, Indiana. If anyone can help us identify exactly who John Knappenberger was, please contact us at jsappleton@windstream.net.
WILLIAM P. KNAPPENBERGER (1835-1866)
William was born in January 1835 and died 8 November 1866. He enlisted 24 September 1861 as a Private with the 30th Indiana Infantry, Company C as a wagoner. He was discharged with a disability 11 March 1863. He died shortly after the end of the war due to loss of health from the war. William was a son of William Knappenberger (1791-1839) of Tuscarawas County, Ohio and grandson of Conrad Knappenberger (1748-1818) – a Revolutionary War veteran.
WEST VIRGINIA REGIMENT
JACOB KNAPPENBERGER (1814-1898)
Jacob was born 1 January 1814 and died 9 January 1898, enlisted in the 11th West Virginia Infantry, Company I as a Private and served three years from 1862 to 17 June 1865. He fought in three battles: Thatchers Run in Virginia on 30 March 1865; Petersburg in Virginia on 2 April 1865; Appomattox Court House in Virginia on 9 April 1865. He was also at General Lee’s surrender. Jacob was the son of John Knappenberger (1774-1863) of Westmoreland County, PA and grandson of Conrad Knappenberger (1748-1818) – a Revolutionary War veteran.
OHIO REGIMENT
ABRAHAM KNAPPENBERGER (1823-1884)
Abraham was born 16 August 1823 in Northampton County, PA and died 24 November 1884 in Seneca County, Ohio. We know nothing about what regiment/company he belonged to during the war. We have a listing in the Civil War Pension Index for Abraham indicating it was filed in the state of Ohio and his widow was Matilda Knappenberger. He was the son of Jonathan Knappenberger (1787-1850) and grandson of the Revolutionary War veteran, Philip Frederick Knappenberger (1738-1829).
JOHN KNAPPENBERGER (c1824-c1866)
John was born about 1824 and died about 1866, enlisted in the 25th Ohio Infantry, Company E as a Private. He enlisted in Sandusky County, Ohio on 12 June 1861 and served three years. He lost his health in the war and died shortly after the war ended. John was the son of William Knappenberger (1791-1839) of Tuscarawas County, Ohio and grandson of Conrad Knappenberger (1748-1818) – a Revolutionary War veteran.
OTHERS
Sarah Jane Knappenberger (5 January 1848-8 February 1920) married Elias BEIDLEMAN (13 June 1836-23 April 1910) who served in Company G, 46th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Margaretha “Margaret” Knappenberger (2 August 1811-28 December 1881) married John “Henry” BENFER (December 1809-11 March 1871) and had a son who fought in the Civil War: John Henry Benfer (26 August 1839-31 January 1902).
Lydia Elisabeth Knappenberger (28 December 1846-1888/1900) married Chancy ECKENRODE (October 1842-9 January 1933) who fought in the Civil War and filed for a Civil War pension in August 1897 as an invalid.
Emmalinda S. “Malinda” Knappenberger (1853-?) married Joseph FEINOUR/FINER (1845-1910) who served with the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry.
Elisabeth Knappenberger (9 August 1779-4 June 1834) married Samuel David GHARKY (13 February 1775-9 August 1850) and had a grandson who fought in the Civil War: David J. Gharky (c1837-27 April 1889) who served with the 2nd Regiment of the Colorado Calvary.
Eliza Ann Knuppenburg (11 August 1847-April 1925) married Benjamin Franklin “Frank” HERRICK (16 April 1843-1910/1920) who first served in the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry under General McClellan and later served with the New York Veteran Cavalry participating in General Sherman’s “march to the sea.”
Elizabeth Knappenberger (13 October 1803 -11 March 1890) married John KLINE, Jr., (1 January 1809-11 December 1855) and had a son who fought in the Civil War: Henry Kline (13 March 1840-2 March 1863) who served with Company K, 168th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Infantry.
Lucinda Ann Knappenberger (28 June 1843-December 1929) married married Josiah Wylie Whitmer KLINGENSMITH (20 June 1841-7 November 1912) who served in Company C, 139th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Henrietta “Harriet” or “Hattie” Knappenberger (17 September 1829-3 March 1913) married Peter SCHIFFERT who served from 1862 to 1863 in Company A, 176th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Militia.
Anna Maria Knappenberger (27 September 1808-3 December 1891) married Joseph DETAR (30 October 1808-6 June 1885) and had a grandson who fought in the Civil War: Samuel Clayton SHEATS (9 July 1840-17 December 1920) who served and received a medical discharge.
Catherine Knappenberger (20 January 1777-30 November 1863) married John “Jacob” FAIR/FEHR (1767-1838) and had a grandson who fought in the Civil War: James K.P. SHOEMAKER (4 October 1845-1920s) who served from 1862 to1865.
Elizabeth S. Knappenberger (15 December 1843-8 January 1936) married John STUMP, Jr., (22 January 1835-28 November 1924 who served with the Union Army during the Civil War.
Maria Barbara Knappenberger (15 September 1772-12 August 1854) married Jacob WALTHOUR (23 January 1763-8 January 1839) and had three grandsons who served in the Civil War: John A. KUNKLE (23 March 1838-27 December 1910) who served with the 168th Regiment of Pennsylvania; Uriah SHEARER (20 May 1836-25 October 1922) who served with Company I, 209th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers 1864-1865; and Joseph Walter WALTOWER (29 December 1831-9 July 1927) who served with the 63rd Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.
Catherine Knappenberger (c1791-c1835) married Samuel WATERS (c1790-1830/1835) and had two grandsons who fought in the Civil War: Samuel Waters (14 October 1833-19 July 1911) and George W. Waters (January 1855-20 May 1922) who both served in Company A, 6th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserves.
Mary Knappenberger (15 October 1816- 28 February 1881) married Daniel ZIEGLER (13 May 1801-14 September 1889) and had a son who fought in the Civil War: Philip Ziegler (14 February 1846-27 March 1924) who served with Company E, 126th Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Catherine Knappenberger (15 February 1833-2 March 1904) married Isaac W. WENTZEL (16 March 1832-17 March 1905) who fought in the Civil War as a Private enlisting 14 March 1864. Isaac’s father, Philip Wentzel, served in the Revolutionary War as a Private in Captain DeTurck’s Company, Berks County Militia.
Saint John’s Reformed Cemetery,
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania