Homeland          Immigrants          Orphans          Veterans          Photos          Reunions          Index          Search

UPDATED  July 12, 2008

GENERAL INFORMATION

Philip Adam Knappenberger known as "Adam" was born 23 October 1742 in Widdern, Jagstkreis, Wuerttemberg and traveled to this country in 1749 with his parents landing in Philadelphia on the Ship Christian.  He worked on the family farm in Whitehall Township, Northampton County (that later became Lehigh County in 1812), PA that was purchased shortly after their arrival in Pennsylvania.  Adam served in the 2nd Battalion, 4th Company of the Northampton County Militia during the Revolutionary War.  This was the same group in which his brother Philip Frederick served as 1st Lieutenant.  In addition to this militia service, Adam had service as a Frontier Ranger after the war.  

Adam married Margaret [last name unknown] about 1783.  They had seven children together.  Adam Knappenberger died 2 October 1823 in Towamensing, Carbon County, PA.

CHILDREN OF ADAM AND MARGARET

JACOB KNAPPENBERGER (c1784-1834)  

Jacob was born about 1785 and died 17 April 1834 in Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County, PA.  He married Christine SEIP, daughter of Peter Seip and Susanna Kregloh, about 1819 in Lehigh County, PA.  Christina was born in South Whitehall Township, PA and died April 1845 in Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, PA.  In 1820 Jacob was living in Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County, PA with a wife and one child.  Jacob and Christine had the following six children.

1.  Karl "Charles" Knappenberger was born 14 August 1820 in Lehigh County, PA.  No further information is available about him at this time.

2. Jacob Knappenberger, Jr. was born 4 July 1822 in Lehigh County, PA and died 15 November 1862 in Lehigh County, PA.  He married Louisa Carolina RITTER, daughter of Jeremiah Ritter and Hannah Troxell, on 6 November 1853.  Louisa was born 27 March 1834 and died 12 July 1873 in Lehigh County, PA.  Louisa remarried after Jacob's death to Levi Smith and had at least two children with him. Jacob and Louisa are buried at Egypt Church Cemetery.  It is believed that they had two sons and a daughter.

a. Jeremiah J. Peter Knappenberger was born 17 January 1854 and died 12 February 1856 in Lehigh County, PA.

b. Franklin William J. Knappenberger (known as Frank) was born 21 June 1857 in North Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, PA and died 1937 in Coplay, Lehigh County, PA.  He worked for 24 years for the Coplay Cement Company where he became chief engineer and general foreman of engines and boilers. 

 Frank's first marriage was to Amelia M. FRANTZ, daughter Reuben and Judia Frantz.   They were married in the 1880 census and lived with her parents.  Frank and Amelia had two children:  Maggie M. Knappenberger and Charles Reuben Knappenberger.  Amelia Frantz was born about 1851 in Lehigh County, PA and died between 1882 and 1890 in Lehigh County, PA.

Frank married about 1890 to Edna S. RODGERS, daughter of Edwin Rodgers and Rebecca Young, in Lehigh County, PA.  Edna was born September 1861 and died 1930 in Coplay, Lehigh County, PA.  Frank and Edna had 3 daughters:  Helen, Lillian and Pearl.

Maggie M. Knappenberger (daughter of Frank and Amelia) was born September 1881 in Lehigh County, PA.  She married Charles Alfred MASTER, son of Manoah Master and Sarah Ann Rothenberger.  Charles  was born 24 July 1876 in Lehigh County, PA.  They had a daughter: Minnie Master born 10 October 1903 in Lehigh County, PA and died June 1992.  She married Nester J. FENSTERMAKER who was born about 1904 in Lehigh County, PA.   Minnie and Nester had two daughters by the 1930 census:  Jean and Elaine.

Charles Reuben Knappenberger (son of Frank and Amelia) was born 22 November 1882 in Lehigh County, PA and died sometime after 1930.  He married Lydia SEARFASS, daughter of William and Mary E. SEARFASS, about 1902.  Lydia was born May 1885 in Lehigh County, PA and died there in later 1918. She is buried next to her parents in Allen Union Cemetery in N. Catasaqua, Northampton County, PA.

Charles Reuben and Lydia had four children: Irene A. Knappenberger (24 November 1903 in Lehigh County, PA - 26 October 1984 in Bethlehem, PA) who married Fredrick A. MERTZ (4 July 1902 - June 1968 in Lehigh County, PA);  Anna M. Knappenberger (born about 1906 in Lehigh County, PA);  Charles William "Franklin"Knappenberger (2 October 1909 in Lehigh County, PA - January 1979 in Lehigh County, PA);  and David Reuben Knappenberger. (born 14 Feb 1914 - 27 October  2003) who married Geraldine E. HAAS.

Charles Reuben Knappenberger remarried after the death of his first wife, Lydia,  to Willia C. STAUFFER, who was born about 1881 in PA.  Willia was the widow of Oliver Stauffer and had no children from her first marriage.

 
David Rueben Knappenberger 
Allentown High School, Senior Class Photo, 1930 
[photo graciously provided by Phyllis Reimer]

Helen R.S. Knappenberger (daughter of Frank and Edna)  was born 14 October 1892 in Coplay, Lehigh County, PA and died July 1978.  She married John Lawrence DUGAN about 1924.  John was born 5 July 1878 in Pennsylvania and died October 1969 in Lehigh County, PA. I seems that this couple had no children.

Lillian F. Knappenberger  (daughter of Frank and Edna) was born May 1895 in Coplay, Lehigh County, PA and died 1945.  She married Allen J. LINDENMUTH who was born 31 December 1896 in Pennsylvania and died January 1973 in Lehigh County, PA.  They had nine children:  Allen Lindenmuth (who died as a small child), Arlene A. Lindenmuth (12 July 1916-3 Aug 2005), Edna G. Lindenmuth (1918), Richard Lindenmuth, Emily Lindenmuth, Edith M. Lindenmuth, Shirley Lindenmuth, Franklin J. Lindenmuth (1923-June 1944 during the invasion of Normandy during World War II) and Donald R. Lindenmuth (15 Feb 1926-9 Feb 2000).  

Pearl Irene Daisy Knappenberger (daughter of Frank and Edna) was born 6 April 1898 in Coplay, Lehigh County, PA and died February 1977.  She married Charles Edward CASE who was born 14 June 1896 and died May 1968.  They had a daughter: Irene Mae Case who married Fred P. SCHUBERT (20 Feb1928-29 July 1992).

c. Hannah Lusinda Knappenberger was born 1 October 1858 and died 25 August 1860 in Lehigh County, PA.

3. David Knappenberger was born 9 July 1824 and died sometime before 1834 since he is not mentioned in the Orphans Court proceedings after his father's death in 1834.

4. Sarah A. Knappenberger was born 12 July 1826 in Lehigh County, PA and died 25 August 1918 in Allentown, Lehigh County, PA.   Sarah married Ignatz "Isaac" WEAVER / WEBER on 20 December 1854 in Bethlehem, PA.  Isaac was born 1 August 1818 in Prussia and died 20 December 1896 in Allentown, PA.  They had six children that we know.  However, the 1900 census indicates that Sarah had given birth to 10 children of which 5 survived in 1900.

a.  Adelaide P. Weaver was born April 1852 (according to the 1900 census) in Lehigh County, PA and died about 1940.  She first married Charles H. LABOLD who was born about 1843 and died about 1889.  Charles fought in the Civil War.  Adelaide then married James W. KLOTZ about 1892.  James was born June 1852 in Pennsylvania and died sometime after 1910.   Adelaide had no children from either marriage.

b. Jane Weaver was born about 1856 in Lehigh County, PA.  We know nothing further about her at this time.

c. Eugene W. Weaver was born 11 August 1858 in Lehigh County, PA and died 2 March 1930.  Eugene married Matilda K. HERZOG who was born 15 November 1858 in Pennsylvania and died 15 July 1922.   The 1900 census indicates that Matilda had no children, however, in that census a son was listed named Frederick F. Weaver who was born January 1884 in Pennsylvania.   We assume that he was adopted. 

d. Henry Weaver was born December 1859 in Lehigh County, PA and died sometime before 1870 as a young child.

e. Elmer Conrad Weaver was born 26 November 1866 in Allentown, Lehigh County, PA  and died 7 November 1931 in Allentown, PA.  He married Eliza Jane RITZ, daughter of John Ritz and Hannah Merkle, on 5 May 1889 in Allentown, PA.  Eliza was born 25 August 1869 in PA and died 26 June 1938 in Allentown, PA.  They had six children.  They also raised two grandsons [see below] after the death of their daughter, Ann Weaver Beltz.

Edward E. Weaver was born 28 July 1889 in Lehigh County, PA and died June 1973 in Allentown, PA.  He married Elizabeth MOONEY who was born about 1885 in PA. 

Charles Isaac Weaver was born 15 September 1893 in Lehigh County, PA and died March 1963.  He married Cora I. HUBBER who was born 16 March 1899 and died August 1973 in Lehigh County, PA.  They had six children:  Thelma E., Walter F., Charles Franklin, Althea K., Margaret E. and John.  

Earl Franklin Weaver was born 11 February 1895 in Allentown, PA and died 6 September 1969.  He married Esther Mae LANDIS, daughter of Irwin Landis and Elizabeth Reinert, on 15 September 1917.  She was born 3 April 1899 in Coplay, PA and died July 1976 in Allentown, PA.  They had five children:  Georgiana Madeline, Winifred Esther (1919-1995), Elizabeth Geraldine (1920-1933), Eleanor Landis (1926-1994), and James Earl Franklin.

Milton W. Weaver was born September 1897 in Allentown, PA and died 28 August 1898 in Allentown, Lehigh County, PA.

Anna M. Weaver was born 7 July 1889 in Lehigh County, PA and died 10 July 1923 in Allentown, PA.  She married Earl BELTZ who was born 16 June 1899 and died April 1981 in Allentown, PA. They had three sons:  Reynold E.Beltz and James E. Beltz who seemingly were raised by maternal grandparents and Thomas E. Beltz who seemingly was raised by paternal grandmother.

Florence C. Weaver was born 22 July 1909 in Allentown, PA and died 26 May 1966 in Allentown, Lehigh County, PA.  She married Earl SCHLENKER  who was born 25 October 1906 and died 6 June 1992. 

f.  Alfred O. Weaver was born January 1869 in Lehigh County, PA and died sometime after 1930.  He married Martha CONNELL, daughter of Henry Connell, on 13 November 1906 in Allentown, PA.  Martha was born about 1879 in Berks County, PA.   They had three children: Harold F. (19 March 1912-January 1981), Robert C. (born about 1918) who married Glady B. APPEL (c1914-1994), and Alfred O., Jr. (born about 1919). 

5.  Jonas Knappenberger born 15 February 1827 in Lehigh County, PA.  No further information is available about him at this time.  Sometimes this Jonas is confused with another Jonas born in the same year and county who died during the Civil War.  

6. William Knappenberger was born 5 June 1832 in Lehigh County, PA and was christened in Trexlertown Union Church, Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County, PA.  No further information is available about him at this time.

 

CATHERINE KNAPPENBERGER (c1786-?)

Catherine was born about 1786 in Northampton County (later Lehigh County) PA.  She married Peter BARTHOLOMEW, Jr., son of Peter Bartholomew and Rosina Kern.  Peter was born 9 November 1780 in Kreidersville, Northampton County, PA and died in Petersville, Northampton County, PA.  They had three children.

1.  Thomas Bartholomew was born 19 May 1808 in Northampton Co., PA and died  sometime after 1880 in  Northampton County, PA.  He married Lydia SNYDER who was born about 1817 in Pennsylvania and died sometime after 1880.   In 1880 they were living in Allen Township, Northampton County, PA.  At that time they had two children living with them: Tilghman (born about 1851) and Hannah (born about 1858).  They seemingly had six children:

a.  John Bartholomew born about 1835 in Northampton County, PA.  In the 1850 census he was listed as 15 years of age and a saddler.

b.  Lea (?) born about 1848 in Northampton County, PA.  The 1850 census lists a female aged 2 years old.

c.  Tilghman Bartholomew was born Jan 1850 in Northampton Co., PA and died Jan 1932 in Northampton County, PA.  He married Annie C. (maiden name unknown) about 1891. She was born May 1850 in PA.  In the 1900 census they had no children and by the 1910 census, Tilghman is widowed and living alone.  We assume that no children were born to this marriage.   It seems that Tilghman raised his nephew, Frank H. Reph.(see below)

d.  Fyetta Bartholomew was born about 1855 in Northampton Co., PA.  She was listed as 15 years of age in the 1870 census.

e.  Hannah Bartholomew was born 16 Nov 1857 in Northampton County, PA and died after 1910.  In the 1870 census she was listed as 12 and in the 1880 census she was 22 years of age.  Hannah had a child named Frank Henry REPH. Hannah married John SCHLEGEL 21 Nov 1886.  John was born Dec 1843 in PA and died sometime after 1910.  Hannah and John had two daughters:

Frank Henry Reph was born 20 April 1882 in Northampton County, PA.  He married Beulah Lydia Ann WELTY who was born 29 March 1885 and died 6 Nov 1963.  Frank and Beulah  had three sons::  Russell Reph (13 Nov 1903-July 1980), Charles Tilghman Reph (18 Nov 1907-30 May 1991) and a son who died in infancy.

Savannah C. Schlegel was born Feb 1887 in Northampton County, PA.  She married Walter Harvey Naylor (12 Dec 1881) and had a son, Clarence A. Naylor (9 July 1912-June 1961)

Jennie M. Schlegel was born Aug 1889 in Northampton County, PA.  She married William John Schilling (27 Nov 1890) and had two daughters:  Irene (abt 1911) and Helen (abt 1915).

f.  Thomas Bartholomew was born about 1865 in Northampton County, PA.  He is listed as 4 years of age in the 1870 census but is not listed in the 1880 census with the family.

2.  Jeremiah Bartholomew was born about 1814 and died in Laurys, PA.

3.  Charles Bartholomew was born 1819 and died in Petersville, PA.  

             We would like to learn more about this Bartholomew Family! 

Special thanks to Renee Reph Reed for her help with this family!

Please contact us at jsappleton@windstream.net

PETER KNAPPENBERGER (1787-c1850)

Peter was born 23 July 1787 in Carbon County, PA and died sometime after 1850 in Columbia County, PA.  He appears in the 1850 census at the age of 64 in Fishing Creek Township, Columbia County, PA.  No further information is available at this time.

VERONICA (FRONA) KNAPPENBERGER (c1790-?)

Veronica was born about 1790 in Carbon County, PA and married Michael FINK.  This couple may have moved "West" at some time but nothing further is known of them at this time.  It is believed that they moved to Ohio.

ADAM KNUPPENBURG (1794-1870)

Adam was born 17 May 1794 in Carbon County, PA and died August 1870.  In the 1840 census he is listed in Windham Township, Luzerne County, PA which later became Wyoming County.  Adam and his descendants spell their name KNUPPENBURG or KNUPPENBERG.  Adam married Eunice ALLEN, daughter of Ebenezer Dana Allen and Laodicea Vose/Vorse, on 7 May 1815 and had ten children.  Learn more about this family by clicking on his name above.

DANIEL KNAPPENBERGER (c1795-1862)

Daniel was born about 1795/96 in Carbon County, PA.  He is listed in Washington Township, Lehigh County, PA in the 1850 census as "Daniel Kneppenberger" living in the Daniel Newhard household and in the 1860 census for Washington Twp., Lehigh County, PA living in the William Blose household..  He died in 1862 without a will.  It appears that Daniel never married.

ELISABETH KNAPPENBERGER (1797-1873)

Elisabeth known as "Betsy" was born in 1797 in Whitehall Township, Northampton County, PA and died 31 December 1873 in Packer Township, Carbon County, PA.  She had one daughter, Mary, with William KERN.  Mostly likely Elisabeth and William never married.  It seems that Elisabeth and her daughter, Mary, lived with the Peter Rumpel & Barbara Rumpel in Packer Township, Carbon County, PA  and that Mary used the last name of RUMPEL until her marriage.  In the 1850 census, Elizabeth "Notberger" was 45 years of age and living with the Rumple family next door to the Joel Eroh family.  In the 1870 census, Betsy "Noobenberger" is age 85, born in Pennsylvania, and living with the Joel Eroh family.

1. Mary was born 4 July 1823 in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, PA and died 16 March 1873 in Packer Township, Carbon County, PA.   Mary and Joel EROH were married about 1848.  Joel was born about 1825 in Pennsylvania and was a teamster and farm laborer.  They are buried in the old Reed Cemetery in Packer Township, Carbon County, PA.  Mary and Joel had seven children. 

a.  William Harrison Eroh was born about 1847 in Carbon County, PA.  He married Sarah A. [maiden name unknown] who was born about 1846 in Pennsylvania.  They had three children by the 1880 census: Clara Eroh (born about 1874), Mary E. Eroh (born about 1876) and James Eroh (born about 1878).

b.  David Eroh was born about 1851 in Carbon County, PA.   In the 1880 census, he was 28 years old, single and a railroad laborer living in Schuylkill County, PA with the Charles Bretz family.

c.  Mary Eroh was born about 1854 in Carbon County, PA.

d.  Susan Eroh was born about 1855 in Carbon County, PA.  She married David BECHTEL about 1888.  He was born about 1852, according to the 1910 census, when they lived in Lansford, Carbon County, PA.  They had one son named Charles Bechtel (born January 1891).

e.  Charles F. Eroh was born 20 March 1858 in Carbon County, PA and died 21 June 1877 in Carbon County, PA.  He is buried in the old Reed Cemetery in Carbon County, PA.   

f.  John Eroh was born 1860 in Carbon County, PA.  In the 1910 census, he is listed as 50 years of age and living with his married sister, Susan Bechtel.

g.  Alice Eroh was born about 1863 in Carbon County, PA.

WE ARE VERY INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE 
ABOUT THIS BRANCH OF THE FAMILY.   
IF YOU HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE,
PLEASE CONTACT US AT jsappleton@windstream.net