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KNAPPENBERGER WAR VETERANS
UPDATED 10 July 2008
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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR
On 21 December 1774, a
Committee of Observation was formed for Northampton
County, PA. On 22 May 1775, at the court house in Easton, the
Committee of Observation endorsed the actions of the Continental Congress and
recommended the men of the county muster and
arm themselves. Seven cousins served our nation in its fight for freedom -
they all
served with the Northampton County Militia.
GEORGE KNAPPENBERGER (1745-1819)
George, son of J. Michael Knappenberger, served with the Northampton County Militia,
2nd Battalion, 2nd Company as a Captain. His younger brother, Conrad, was
Sergeant of this company. The militia was called to duty on 14 May
1778. This militia was also called up twice more in 1781 and 1782
for frontier duty.
CONRAD KNAPPENBERGER (1747-1818)
Conrad, son of J. Michael Knappenberger, served with the Northampton County Militia,
2nd Battalion, 2nd Company as a Sergeant. His brother, George, was the
Captain of this company. The militia was called to duty on 14 May
1778. Conrad served as a frontier ranger from July 18 to August 12, 1782
as well with the 1st Battalion of the Northampton Militia under the
command of Captain Daniel Good.
HENRY KNAPPENBERGER (1744-1818)
Henry, son of J. Michael Knappenberger, served with the Northampton County Militia
as a Private under the command of Captain Adam Zerfass/Serfass which was called
to duty 22 September 1781. Later in 1786, Henry was elected Captain of
the 1st Battalion of the Northampton County Militia.
PHILIP FREDERICK KNAPPENBERGER (1738-1829)
Phillip, son of J. Erhard Knappenberger, served as 1st Lieutenant in the Second
Battalion, 4th Company of the Northampton County Militia under the command of
John Morritz. Philip Frederick also served as frontier ranger later.
PHILIP "ADAM" KNAPPENBERGER (1742-1823)
Philip, son of J. Erhard Knappenberger, served with the Second Battalion, 4th Company
of the Northampton County Militia where his brother was the 1st
Lieutenant.
MICHAEL KOLB (1735-1812)
Michael, son of Maria Barbara Knappenberger Kolb, served with the Northampton
County Militia, 2nd Battalion, 6th Company.
JACOB FREDERICK KOLB (1737-1819)
Jacob, son of Maria Barbara Knappenberger Kolb, also served with the
Northampton County Militia, 2nd Battalion, 6th Company, like his
brother.

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CIVIL WAR
HIRAM N. KNUPPENBURG (1827-?)
Hiram N. was born 3 December 1827 in PA, 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 4 Knuppenburg brothers who fought in the Civil War.
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." He was
one of four Knuppenburg brothers who
fought during the Civil War. 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 4 Knuppenburg brothers who fought in the Civil War.
JONATHAN "JONAS" KNAPPENBERGER
(1827-1862)
"Jonas" was born 1 April 1827 and died 22 October
1862 in Pocotaligo, South Carolina. Jonas was a Private in the 47th
Pennsylvania Infantry, Company G. He left behind a widow,
Sarah Ann, and four young daughters. His regiment was recruited
August 1861 and were 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 this regiment: "Late in October
(1862) they took part in the movement to Pocotaligo, SC to break the
Charleston & Savannah Railroad, losing 134 men killed or
wounded." Jonas was the son of Henry Knappenberger, Jr.
(1781-1833) and the grandson of J. Henry Knappenberger (1744-1818) - Revolutionary War Veteran.
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 (1810-1884),
grandson of John Knappenberger of Westmoreland County (1774-1863), and
great-grandson of Conrad
Knappenberger (1748-1818) - a Revolutionary War Veteran.
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, PA
Knappenbergers lists their name with one "p" so possibly he was
from this family. If anyone can help us
identify exactly who Jackson Knapenberger was, please contact us at jsappleton@alltel.net
CHARLES KNAPPENBERGER (1840-1862)

Charles Knappenberger Gravemarker
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 (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).
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 4 Knuppenburg brothers who fought in the Civil War.
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 4 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.
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.
HENRY B. KNAPPENBERGER
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.
There is a Henry B. Knappenberger who married Susan Sarbaugh on 25 May
1847 in Stark County, Ohio. Henry B. Knappenberger is
listed in the 1860 census for Bourbon Twp., Marshall County,
Indiana. Henry is 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. If anyone can help us
identify exactly who John Knappenberger was, please contact us at jsappleton@alltel.net
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.
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.
ABRAHAM KNAPPENBERGER (1823-1884)
Abraham was born 16 August 1823 in
Northampton County, PA and died 24 November 1884 in Seneca County, Ohio.
He was the son of Jonathan Knappenberger (1787-1850) and grandson of the
Revolutionary War Veteran, Philip Frederick Knappenberger
(1738-1829). 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.

SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR OF 1898
FRANCIS BENJAMIN KNAPPENBERGER (1871-1904)

Francis Benjamin Knappenberger
Philippine Islands, 1898
[photo graciously provided by Marjorie Taylor Knappenberger & Mark Farren]
Francis Benjamin was born 12 March
1871 in Allentown, PA and died 19 February 1904 in Clinton County,
Indiana. He was the son of Elias Jeremias
Knappenberger (1843-1926)
of Clinton County, Indiana and grandson of Philip
Knappenberger, Jr. (1800-1884) of Lehigh County, PA. He served in the
US Armed Forces during the Philippine Campaign as a member of Company I, 38th
US Volunteer Infantry under the
command of Captain Allen. His obituary stated, " He was a good
soldier and enjoyed the highest respect of his comrades."

MEXICAN EMERGENCY CALL OF PRESIDENT JUNE 18, 1916
CLAUDE HARRISON
KNAPPENBERGER (1893-1972)
Claude was born 20 June 1893 and died June 1972 in Lehigh
County, PA. He was the son of Edwin Knappenberger (1874-1920) and
the grandson of Harrison Knappenberger (1838-1886). In this call up
to service, Claude enlisted July 8, 1916 into the 4th Infantry as a
Private. The records indicate at the time of his enlistment, he was
living and working as a baker in Allentown, PA.
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WORLD WAR I
ALBERT ALEXANDER KNAPPENBERGER (1891-1959)
Albert Alexander was born 6 September 1891 in Mason County,
West Virginia and died 15 August 1959 in Columbus, Ohio. He was the son of
William Scott Knappenberger (1869-?) of West Virginia and grandson of Jacob
Knappenburger (1814-1898). He enlisted in the Ohio National Guard
on 11 July 1917 and was assigned to Truck Company 3 Supply Train ONG.
He held the rank of Corporal in November 1917 and Sergeant in March
1918. He served at Meuse-Argonne; Ypres-Lys; Defensive Sector
with the American Expeditionary Forces from 28 June 1918 to 27 March
1919. He received an honorable discharge 17 April 1919.
ALVIN FLOYD KNAPPENBERGER
(1891-1980)
Alvin Floyd (A.F.) Knappenberger was born 11 Sept 1891 in
Clarion County, PA and died 13 October 1980 in Young County, Texas.
He served in World War I but at this time we have no further details as to
which branch, etc. He was involved in the oil industry.
CHARLES W. KNAPPENBERG
(1885)
Charles W. (or C.W.) Knappenberg was born 20 January 1885
in Livingston County, New York. He was the son of John
"Adam" Knappenberger (1842-1917). During World
War I, he did service in the Student Army Training
Corps.
CHESTER WILLIAM KNAPPENBERGER
(1890-1936)
Chester William Knappenberger was born 18 March 1890 in
Westmoreland County, PA and died in Trumbull County, Ohio on 27 April
1936. He was a son of George Washington Knappenberger and brother of
Moses Thamar Knappenberger who also served in World War I [see below]. Chester entered the service on 22 December 1917 at Fort
Leavenworth and was attached to the Medical Corp. He was honorably
discharged on 28 July 1919.
CLARENCE KNAPPENBERGER
(1895-1970)
Clarence was born 12 March 1895 in Earlsboro, Oklahoma and
died May 1970 in Watonga, Blaine County, Oklahoma. He was the son of
Henry Knappenberger (1836 - 1910) and grandson of Henry Knappenberger of
Westmoreland County, PA (1798-1854). Clarence served in World War I
and was a Captain in the National Guard in Oklahoma in 1925 in the 8th
Corps Troops, 189 FA Regiment, Company Medical Dept. Clarence was a pharmacist.
GEORGE CHALMERS KNUPPENBURG (1889-1980)

George Chalmers Knuppenburg,
photo taken just prior to his leaving for France during World War I
[photo graciously provided by Lois Ostrosky Minnick]
George was born 13 September 1889 in Clearfield County,
Pennsylvania and died August 1980 in York County, PA. He was the son
of U.S. Grant Knuppenburg and the grandson of Hiram Knuppenburg who fought
in the Civil War. George served in the military in World War I
and fought in France.
GEORGE EDWIN KNAPPENBERGER, SR. MD
(1888-1948)
George was born 29 March 1888 in Blandinsville, McDonough
County, Illinois and died 27 Dec 1948 in La Jolla, San Diego Co.,
California. He was the son of Frank and Belle Knappenberger of
Kingman County, Kansas and grandson of George W.
Knappenberger. George (known as Ned to his family)
attended Kansas University School of Medicine in Kansas City. He
served with the US Army Medical Corps from 1917-1918 during World War
I. He later became one of the principal founders of St. Lukes
Hospital in Kansas City.
HARVEY J. KNAPP (1893-1973)
Harvey J. Knapp was born 2 April 1893 in Dauphin County, PA and died February 1973
in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA. He was the son of George William
Knapp, Jr. and the grandson of George William Knappenberger,
Sr. Harvey fought in World War I
overseas and suffered shell shock the rest of his life.
MERLE K. KNUPPENBURG (1896-1976)
Merle K. Knuppenburg was born 22 July 1896 in Kalamazoo
county, Michigan and died 31 jan 1976 in Osceola County,
Michigan. He was with the US Army as a Private during World
War I. Merle was the son of John Preston Knuppenburg (1839-1922) who
fought with the New York Cavalry during the Civil War (see
above).
MOSES THAMAR KNAPPENBERGER (1892-1972)
Moses Thamar was born 13 March 1892 in Jeannette,
Westmoreland County, PA and died August 1972 in Trumbull County, Ohio.
He was
the son of George Washington Knappenberger (1856-1942) and grandson of
Moses Knappenberger (1826-1898) of Westmoreland County, PA. Moses
was a medical doctor with the Medical Corp. He
became a Captain on 26 September 1916 until his discharge in 1919. He was
part of the American Expeditionary Forces from 7 December 1917 to 22 February 1918 and
received an honorable discharge 30 June 1919.
PAUL KNAPPENBERGER (1895-1969)
Paul was born 17 August 1895 in Cleveland, Ohio
and died October 1969 in Polk County, Florida. He was the son of Philip
Knappenberger, Jr. (1854-1911) and grandson of J. Philip Knappenberger
(1783-1867) of Ohio. Paul enlisted in the Ohio National
Guard on 10 April 1917 and was assigned to Company D, 4th Infantry ONG until
4 August 1918. He was later assigned to 10th Infantry
Intelligent Department until his discharge. He was a Private First
Class on 1 September 1917; a Corporal on 1 October 1917 and a Sergeant 1 April
1918. He was involved in the Defensive Sector of the Champagne-Marne
and Aisne-Marne with the American Expeditionary Forces from 18 October 1917 to
20 August 1918 and received an honorable discharge 9 January 1919.
REUBEN WILBERT KNAPPENBERGER (1895-1969)
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Reuben Wilbert "Wilbur" Knappenberger, 1918 |

"Souvenir de France",
handsewn patch given to GIs during WWI |
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[images graciously provided by John G.
Knappenberger] |
Reuben Wilbert (also known as Wilbur) was born 31
January 1895 in Crawford County, Ohio and died August 1969 in Wayne
County, Ohio. He was the son of John George Knappenberger (1857-1928) and
grandson of Johann Georg Knappenberger (1820- 1859) who came to the USA
from Germany in the 1850s. Wilbur enlisted 25 May 1918 in
the Army and was assigned to the 19th Company, 5th Battalion, 159 Depot
Brigade until 17 June 1918. He then was part of the Machine Gun
Company, 153 Infantry on 17 October 1918 and then Company D, 316 Machine Gun
Battalion until his discharge as a Private. He fought at Meuse-Argonne and was wounded severely in action on 1 November
1918. He was part of the American Expeditionary Forces from 6
August 1918 to 3 March 1919. He received an honorable discharge 15
April 1919 with a 10% disability.
RALPH MARTIN KNAPPENBERGER (1895-1987)
Ralph Martin was born April 19, 1894 in Hensingersville, Lehigh County, PA and died
In Allentown, Lehigh County, PA on 22 February 1987. He was the son of
Alvin Knappenberger (born about 1870) and grandson of Benjamin K.
Knappenberger (born about 1842) of Lehigh County, PA. According to
Ralph's obituary in the Allentown Morning Call, he was an Army veteran of
World War I.
RAYMOND H. KNAPPENBERGER
(1897-1982)

Raymond H. Knappenberger
France, 1918
[photo graciously provided by Jay
& Nancy Knappenberger
who were given the photo by Jackson Penrose Serfas]
Raymond H. known as "Ray" was born 19 June 1897 in Berks
County, PA and died July 1982 in Emmaus, Lehigh County, PA. He was
the son of Penrose Miller (1847-1917) of Henry III (1811-1857) of Henry Jr
(1781-1833) of Henry (1744-1818) of Johan Michael (immigrant). Ray
served as a soldier in the US Army in the "Engineers of First
Division" and spent some time in France.
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The Knappenberger Family honors its veterans by listing
them and providing information related to their branch of service, time in
the service, honors, rank, etc. If you know of anyone in your family that
you want to be sure is included,
please contact us at jsappleton@alltel.net.
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We salute our men and women
in
uniform as they serve this nation.
We currently have Knappenberger
military "cousins" serving our nation today during the
Iraqi conflict.
Our thoughts are with them
and their families.
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