JOHN KNAPPENBERGER FAMILY
OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

UPDATED  26 July 2009

GENERAL INFORMATION

John Knappenberger, second oldest son of Conrad Knappenberger, moved to Westmoreland County, PA just prior to 1790 with his parents.  He was born 8 March 1774 in Macungie Township, Northampton County (later Lehigh County), PA.  John died 27 November 1863 in Franklin Township, Westmoreland County, PA and was buried in Denmark Manor Church, the church his father, Conrad, had helped found.

John married Hannah L. CORT (KORTH), daughter of John Yost Cort and Anna Margaret Kemerer, in 1796 in Westmoreland County, PA.  Hannah was born January 1775 in Port Royal, PA and died 18 March 1850 in Westmoreland County, PA.  She is buried in Denmark Manor Church Cemetery.

From Vinnie Knappenberger's family history of 1916 we learn,
"Conrad's second son, John Knappenberger, lived and died in Westmoreland County.  During his father's lifetime, John bought from his father 150 acres of the Denmark Manor tract for $600.00 and later he bought the lands of his three sisters, Barbara, Catherine and Sally.  He at one time owned about 800 acres of the fairest land in Manordale, Westmoreland County.  John seems to have been a progressive, thrifty farmer and business man.  He and his wife and children were members and active workers in the Denmark Manor German Reformed Church.  He and his wife and five children lie buried in Denmark Manor Church yard.  He left an estate valued at $16,697.52.  By will on record in Westmoreland County courthouse, this property was equally divided among his nine children, a number of whom had grown up, married and settled about him in the Manor Valley."

From John's family came many other branches of the Knappenberger family including those who moved to Clarion County, PA; West Virginia; McDonough County, Illinois; Missouri; Kansas and Oklahoma.

CHILDREN

HENRY KNAPPENBERGER (1798-1854)

Henry was born 17 May 1798 in Franklin Township, Westmoreland County, PA and died 17 July 1854 in Franklin Township, Westmoreland County, PA.  He married Hannah PAINTER (BENDER), daughter of George and Catherine Bender, on 18 June 1824 in Franklin Township, PA.  Hannah was born 4 March 1804 in Manordale, Westmoreland County, PA and died 4 August 1889 in Andrew County, Missouri.  This couple had 17 children of which 3 died very young.   Many of the Midwest (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas) Knappenberger families descend from this couple.   For more information, click on his name above.

DANIEL KNAPPENBERGER (1799-1882)

Daniel was born 28 November 1799 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 2 May 1882 in Clarion County, PA.  Daniel married Lydia BERLIN, daughter of John Jacob Berlin and Eve Carbaugh, on 28 November 1822 in Franklin Township, PA.  Lydia was born 15 September 1803 in Franklin Township, Westmoreland County, PA and died 26 May 1871 in Clarion County, PA.  This couple had 10 children and established the Clarion County Knappenberger family.  For more information on this family, click on his name above.

SUSANNAH KNAPPENBERGER (1801-1871)

Susannah was born 24 November 1801 in Westmoreland County, PA.  She died 24 April 1871 in Harrison City, Westmoreland County, PA and is buried in Denmark Manor Church Cemetery.  She never married.   Susannah took care of her father's household after the death of her mother.

ELIZABETH KNAPPENBERGER (1803-1890)

Elizabeth was born 13 October 1803 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 11 March 1890 in Westmoreland County, PA.   She married John KLINE, Jr., son of John Kline, Sr. and Nancy/Anna Buchman, in 1832.  John was born 1 January 1809 in Bouquet, Westmoreland County, PA and died 11 December 1855 in Westmoreland County, PA.  This couple had 10 children.  For more information on this family, click on her name above.

SOLOMON KNAPPENBERGER (1805-1897)

Solomon was born 15 April 1805 in Franklin Township, Westmoreland County, PA and died 10 February 1897 in Delmont, Westmoreland County, PA.  He married Elizabeth WALTON, daughter of Joseph Walton and Magdalena Blose, on 29 April 1830.  Elizabeth was born 28 August 1809 in Franklin Township, Westmoreland County, PA and died 28 February 1886 in Salem Township, Westmoreland County, PA.  This couple had 12 children.   For more information on this family, click on his name above.

ANNA MARIA KNAPPENBERGER (1808-1891)

Anna Maria was born 27 September 1808 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 3 December 1891 in Clarion County, PA.  She married Joseph DETAR, son of Jacob Detar and Anna Maria Hagelberger, on 25 February 1830.  Joseph was born 30 October 1808 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 6 June 1885 in Clarion County, PA.  Anna Maria and her husband also moved to Clarion County like her older brother, Daniel.  This couple had 6 children.  For more information on this family, please click on her name above.

JOSEPH KNAPPENBERGER (1810-1883)

Joseph was born 19 February 1810 in Franklin Township, Westmoreland County, PA and died 19 March 1883 in Burrell Township, Westmoreland County, PA.  He married Anna KEMMERER, daughter of Adam Kemmerer, Sr. and Elisabeth Hiessle, on 19 December 1833.  Anna was born November 1814 in Franklin Township, Westmoreland County, PA and died 5 November 1888 in Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County, PA.  This couple had 8 children.  For more information,  click on his name above.

MARGARETHA "MARGARET" KNAPPENBERGER (1811-1863)

Margaret was born 29 December 1811 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 2 October 1863 in Westmoreland County, PA.  She married Henry MILLER on 11 September 1834 in Westmoreland County, PA.  Henry was born 11 Dec 1803 in Pennsylvania and died 18 June 1872 in Westmoreland County, PA.  Henry is listed in the 1870 census.  Both of them are buried in Denmark Manor Church Cemetery.  Margaret and Henry had 9 children.

1. Esther Miller born December 1835 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 1908 in Westmoreland County, PA.  She married John "Michael " FINK who was born September 1836  in Harrison City, Westmoreland County, PA and died 1911 in Westmoreland County, PA.  They are buried at Denmark Manor Church along with many of their children.  Esther and John had 9 children.

a.  Henry "John" Fink was born about 1858 in Westmoreland County, PA.

b.  Jacob F. Fink was born 20 Jan 1860 and died 19 April 1868 in Westmoreland County, PA.  He is buried in Denmark Manor Cemetery.

c.  Mary Fink was born 8 April 1862 and died 2 October 1865 in Westmoreland County, PA.  She is buried at Denmark Manor Cemetery.

d. Daniel C. Fink was born March 1865 in Westmoreland County, PA and died in 1924 in Westmoreland County, PA.  Daniel married Hattie B. [maiden name unknown] who was born January 1871 in Pennsylvania and died sometime after 1930.  This couple is buried in Denmark Manor Cemetery.  Daniel and Hattie had two sons.

John M. Fink was born 14 October 1900 in Westmoreland County, PA and died June 1969 in Westmoreland County, PA.

James R. Fink was born 27 November 1903 in Westmoreland County, PA and died August 1979 in Westmoreland County, PA.  He married Clara [maiden name unknown] who was born about 1907.  They were married about 1924 and had 3 children:  Anna Belle Fink, James Russell Fink and Roy Fink.

e. Simon Fink was born about 1869 and died on19 January 1871 in Westmoreland County, PA.  He is buried at Denmark Manor Cemetery.

f.  James M. Fink was born August 1874 in Westmoreland County, PA and died in 1941 in Westmoreland County, PA.  He married Katerine A. [maiden name unknown].  This couple is buried in Denmark Manor Cemetery.

g.  Jessamine Fink was born August 1874 and was a twin of James.  Jessamine and James were both listed as 5 years of age in the 1880 census.  

h. Michael L. Fink was born about 1878 in Westmoreland County, PA.

i.  Edna J. Fink was born about 1880 in Westmoreland County, PA.

2. Simon John Miller was born 1837 in Westmoreland County, PA and died in 1910 in Renovo, Clinton County, PA.  He married Anna M. OVERCASH who was born  1838 in Ligonier, Westmoreland County, PA and died 1913 in Clinton County, PA.  In 1880 census, this family was living in Eldred, McKean County, PA, but in 1900 census, they were living in Renovo, Clinton County, PA where he was a grocer.  This couple is buried in Fairview Cemetery in Renovo, PA.  Simon and Anna had four children.

a. George O. Miller was  born about 1860 in Westmoreland County, PA. and died in the mid to late 1890's.    We believe that he married Olura REESE who was born about 1861 in Michigan.  In the 1910 census for Renovo, Clinton County, PA, an "Olura Hirr" [possibly misspelled] was listed as 49 years of age and born in Michigan.  In the same household are the two daughters of George and Olura, Leah Miller and Emily Miller.  Also listed is Olura's mother, Sara E. Reese (age 70 & born in Ohio).  We are assuming at this time that Olura's maiden name was REESE and that she remarried a Mr. HIRR who was not present in the household in 1910.  This is an assumption that has not yet been proven.

Leah Miller was born about 1887 in Clinton County, Pennsylvania. She married Ira Dixon KRAPE in Renovo, Clinton County, PA about 1911.  Ira was born 20 April  1888 in Pennsylvania.  Leah and Ira had a daughter: Helen Krape (born about 1912 in Clinton County, PA).

Emily Miller was born about 1893 in Renovo, Clinton County, PA.

b.  Sarah J. Miller was born July 1863 and died 1865 in Westmoreland County, PA.   She is buried in Denmark Manor Church cemetery in Westmoreland County, PA.

c..  Henry Franklin Miller  known as "Harry" was born May 1867 in Harrison City, Westmoreland County, PA and died sometime after 1930 in Clinton Co., PA.  He married Margaret L. REIFSNYDER, daughter of Enos Peter Reifsnyder and Rebecca J. Elm, about 1890 in Renovo, Clinton County, PA.  Margaret was born September 1869 in Clinton County, PA and died sometime after 1930. This couple is buried in Fairview Cemetery in Renovo, PA.   Henry and Margaret had six children.

Harold M. Miller was born 19 Aug 1891 in Clinton County, PA and married Lucy UPDEGRAFF.  They had a son, Ernest Miller.

Paul "Jean" Miller  was born 8 May 1893 in Clinton County, PA.  He married Eliza ENGLISH.  They had a son, Robert V. Miller who married Mary POTTS.    Jean is buried in Fairview Cemetery.

Marion Helene Miller was born January 1895 in Clinton County, PA and died 1965.  She first married Floyd Conwell CRAFT, son of Thomas R. and Nancy CRAFT, about 1917.  They had a daughter, Jean E. Craft (1 June 1918-10 march 1998).  This marrige ended in divorce.  Marion remarried about 1927 to Wallace Alfred Wingard, son of Benjamin W. and Rebecca E. Wingard.  Wallace was born 2 Feb 1885 in Centre County, PA.  

Warren Miller was born March 1898 in Clinton County, PA.

Robert Miller was born about 1903 in Clinton County, PA.

Donald Miller was born about 1907 in Clinton County, PA.

d.  Bertha L. Miller was born 1873 in Westmoreland County, PA.  In the 1910 census, she was listed as 36 years of age, single and living with her parents.  However, Bertha did marry in 1919 to John MULLEN.

3.  Hannah Miller was born about 1839 in Westmoreland County, PA.  She married a Mr. PRATT sometime after the 1870 census and supposedly had two children.  Nothing further is known about her at this time.

4. Susanna Miller known as Susan  was born about 1841 in Westmoreland County, PA  and married  Simon "Peter"  PIPER, son of William Peter and Mary PIPER.  Peter was born about 1834 in Allegheny County, PA.  This family lived in Beaver Township, Clarion County, PA in 1880 but moved to Allegheny County, PA later.  Susan and Peter had six children.

a.  Henry L. Piper was born about 1868.

b.  Thomas Howard Piper was born about 1869.  He married Clara Belle (maiden name unknown) and had two daughters:  Ruth Piper and Edith Piper.

c.  Mary Ellen Piper known as Ella was born about 1871 and died in Florida.  Ella never married.

d.  James Piper born about 1871 was Ella's twin.  He died as an infant.

e.  Charles Keebler Piper was born about 1873.  He married Margaret Mahala BOGER, daughter of Herman Boger and Susanna Blough, about 1904.  Margaret was born 8 Oct 1879 in PA and died 18 October 1970 in Los Angeles County, California.  They had 5 children:  John H.Piper (1905-1973), Marion Piper (1907-1995) who married William Ralph BECK,  Florence S. Piper (1910-1954), Thomas Kenneth Piper (1911-1993), and Lois E. Piper who married Leroy ATKINS.

f.  John Franklin Piper was born about 1879 and died about 1946 in PA.  He married Caroline Virginia ZANE who was born about 1879 in Virginia and died 5 February 1920.  They had three children:  Willliam Peter George Piper, John Frances Piper, and Caroline Virginia Piper who married Edward PARKER (1917-1952). 

Thanks to Karen Parker for her kind sharing 
of family information on the Piper family.

5. Elemine Miller who was sometimes known as "Ellen" was born about 1842 in Westmoreland County, PA.  She married Jacob "Cyrus" SHEARER, son of Joseph Miller Shearer and Lucinda Altman.  Cyrus was born 8 April 1842 in McKeesport, Allegheny County, PA.  Cyrus and Ellen had six children.

a. Mary L. Shearer was born about 1866.
b. Joseph H.N. Shearer was born about 1867.
c. Susan L. Shearer was born about 1870.
d. William J. Shearer was born about 1875.
e. Ira D. Shearer was born about 1877 and married
    Alvina M. [maiden last name unknown] and had
    at least three daughters: Alice E. Shearer, Regina Shearer, Mildred M.Shearer.
f. Margaret J. Shearer was born about 1879.

6.  Mary Ellen Miller was born about 1844 in Westmoreland County, PA.

7. Harriet Miller was born about 1845 in Westmoreland County, PA who married B. Frank GOOD.  Frank was born about 1844 in Pennsylvania and had the occupation of organ dealer.  Harriet and Frank had two children.

a. Henry M. Good was born about 1871 
in Westmoreland County, PA.

b. Harriet M. Good was born about 1875 
in Westmoreland County, PA.

8. William Henry Miller was born about 1849 in Westmoreland County, PA and  married a Miss HAINES.  They supposedly had three children and lived in Claridge, PA.  No further information is available about them at this time.

9. Franklin Miller known as "Frank" was born around 1851 in Westmoreland County, PA.  

A special thanks to RoseAnn Aber
for her continued help with the Miller Family. 

JACOB KNAPPENBERGER (1814-1898)

Jacob was born 1 January 1814 in Franklin Township, Westmoreland County, PA and died 9 January 1898 in Mason County, West Virginia.  Jacob first married Hannah WALTHOUR, daughter of Jacob Walthour and Maria Barbara Knappenberger, on 20 April 1837.  Hannah was born about 1815 in North Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, PA and died April 1850 in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio.  After marrying and moving to Ohio, Jacob's family name was often spelled KNAPPENBURGER however, his grave marker reads "Knappenberger".  Some of the family maintain the "burger" spelling while others kept the "berger" spelling.  Jacob and Hannah were first cousins and had three children.  

Jacob then married Elizabeth GOSSETT, daughter of John Gossett and Nancy Crabb, on 6 June 1850 in Stuebenville, Ohio.  Elizabeth was born 1832 in Jefferson County, Ohio and died 2 March 1916 in Leon, Mason County, West Virginia.  Jacob and Elizabeth had ten children.  For more information on this family, click on his name above.

For more information or to assist us in learning more about this family, please contact us at jsappleton@windstream.net