KNAPPENBERGER ORPHANS

UPDATED   26 July 2009

     We have a number of Knappenberger Families that we have not been able to connect to the main family tree 
and are asking for your help in finding their proper place.  If you can assist us in determining where these families fit, 
please contact us at jsappleton@windstream.net.

ELLEN MAY KNAPPENBERGER -  Born 15 August 1872 and died 22 December in Nothampton County, PA at 4 months of age from pnuemonia.  We got this information from the Mortality schedule which lists her as born in PA as were her parents but did not list her parents.   If anyone can help us place her, please let us know!

CARRIE KNAPPENBERGER (BORN ABOUT 1909)

Carrie Knappenberger is listed as 11 years of age, born in Pennsylvania in the 1920 census for East Vincent Township, Chester County, PA.  She was living in the Eastern Pennsylvania Institution for the Feeble Minded.

QUESTION
Who are Carrie's parents?

CLARA C. KNAPPENBERGER

Clara C. was the first wife of EARL K. MUTH of Orefield, Lehigh County, PA.  Earl died in February 1985.

QUESTION     
Who is Clara C. Knappenberger?

EDITH KNAPPENBERGER (Born about Dec 1918 - before 1984)

Edith Knappenberger was  1 year and 1 month old in the 1920 census for Penn Forest Twp., Carbon County, PA.  She was living in her maternal grandparent's household, STEWART and EMMA MECKES.  Her mother was, JENNIE A. (maiden name Meckes) ANDREWS who was 23 at the time.    Living just down the street are the JAMES HENRY KNAPPENBERGER and RICHARD E. KNAPPENBERGER households.

Jennie married Ulysses S. Green in 1920 and Edith may have changed her last name to Green.  In the 1930 census Edith is listed as Edith Green living with her mother  (Jennie Green) and step-father (Ulysses Green) in East Mauch Chunk, Carbon County, Pa.   Edith later married a Mr. WHITE.     

QUESTION
Who was the father of Edith Knappenberger?

ELIZABETH KNUPPENBERGER (KNAPPENBERGER ?)

ABRAHAM PETERSON who was born on 11 May 1811 married at the age of 33 on 22 January 1845 to ELIZABETH KNUPPENBERGER.   This family is from Michigan.

QUESTION     
Who is Elizabeth Knuppenberger (Knappenberger?) ?

JOHN KNAPPENBERGER (c1887-?)

John Knappenberger is listed in the 1920 census for Des Moines, Washington County, Iowa as 32 years of age and born in Iowa.  It states his parents were born in Iowa as well.   He is listed as a farm laborer.  Also in the household is his wife, IDA B., who was 27 years of age and born in Iowa - though her parents were born in Germany.  In this census they have one child listed:  GLADYS, age 6, born in Iowa (so she would have been born in 1913/14).

QUESTION
Who is this John Knappenberger and who are his parents?

ROBERT KNAPPENBERGER of Allentown, PA (born about 1865?) 
& RALPH W. KNAPPENBERGER  of Allentown, PA (born June 1894) 

Ralph Warren (or Warren Ralph) was born 26 June 1894 in Allentown, Lehigh County, PA, to Ida Kramer and Robert Knappenberger.  Ralph's father was ROBERT KNAPPENBERGER (born in Allentown, PA) and his mother's maiden name was MARION KRAMER (born in Allentown, PA) according to his marriage license issued in 1910.    Ralph's actual birth name was W. Ralph Knappenberger and he was raised in his maternal grandparents' home (John R. and Lizzie Kramer).   In the 1900 census, Ralph was 6 years old and his mother was also in the same household listed as Ida Kramer, age 23, and single.   In the 1910 census, Ralph is listed as 16 years of age living with his grandparents as well as his 33 year old mother.

At the age of 22, he married BARBARA HELEN BRANCHNER who was 23 years old.  They were married on 25 August 1915 in Reading, Berks County, PA.   At the time of Ralph's marriage, he listed his mother's name as MARION MOORE and she lived in Allentown, PA.  

Barbara Helen's parents were FRANK BRANCHNER (born in Germany) and MARIE MILLER (born in Texas).   Ralph was a machinist by occupation.  His father, Robert, was a carpenter.    

QUESTION     
Who are the parents of Robert Knappenberger?   
To which family do Robert and Ralph belong?