DANIEL KNAPPENBERGER FAMILY
OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

UPDATED   10 October 2011

Johan Michael
(1709-1751)
i
Conrad
(1748-1818)
i
J Philip
(1783-1867)
i
John
(1809-1885)
i
Daniel
(1833-1912)
liiiiiim

 

William Trees (1858-1858)	Mary Lucinda (1859-1860)	John Walker (1861-1861)	David Hill (1862-1915)	Robert Frantz (1866-1956)	Bella Jane (1869-1913)	Florence Jocasta (1872-1937)	Frank Lee (1875-1946)
			i	i	i	i	i
			4 Children	7 Children	3 Children	2 Children	7 Children

GENERAL INFORMATION

Daniel Knappenberger was born 22 June 1833 in Kiskiminetas Township, Armstrong County, PA and died 12 November 1912 in Oak Ridge, Armstrong County, PA and was buried in Hawthorne Cemetery, Clarion County, PA.  Daniel was a farmer and a carpenter and was a postmaster at Belknap, Armstrong County, PA. 

His obituary in the Leechburg,  PA paper was headlined: An Old Armstrong County Man Laid to Rest.  It stated in part,  "The deceased, Daniel Knappenberger, was the first one of the late John Knappenberger's family to be called beyond, for 73 years and at that time a little sister, which died in infancy.  All the rest were present at his funeral.  Namely:  Jacob, aged 76 years; Gus, aged 73 years; Lucinda, widow of the late J.W. Klingensmith, aged 69 years and Henry, aged 66 years.  It is not very often that we find a family that so many have lived to see three score and part of them three score and ten.  Mr. Knappenberger's wife, Nancy Walker, daughter of the late Robert Walker of Olivet, PA, had passed beyond to meet her master 23 years ago.  Mr. Knappenberger was well known in this section, for many years being engaged in the carpenter business and many houses and barns in old Kiskiminetas township were either built or helped in the building by the deceased."  

Daniel  married Nancy WALKER, daughter of Robert Walker and Jane Porter, on 19 February 1857 in Armstrong County, PA.  Nancy was born 14 March 1835 in Armstrong County, PA and died 30 July 1889 in Armstrong County, PA and is buried in Hawthorne Cemetery, Redbank Township, Clarion County, PA.  This couple had eight children.

CHILDREN

WILLIAM TREES KNAPPENBERGER (1858-1858)

William Trees Knappenberger was born 17 January 1858 in Armstrong County, PA and died 1 March 1858 in Armstrong County, PA at one month and 12 days of age.


MARY LUCINDA KNAPPENBERGER (1859-1860)

Mary Lucinda Knappenberger was born 12 January 1859 in Armstrong County, PA and was christened at Boiling Springs Lutheran Church in Kiski Township, Armstrong County, PA.  She died 12 February 1860 in Armstrong County, PA at the age of 1 year and 1 month.


JOHN WALKER KNAPPENBERGER (1861-1861)

John Walker Knappenberger was born 8 February 1861 in Armstrong County, PA and died 29 March 1861 in Armstrong County, PA at the age of 1 month and 21 days.


DAVID HILL KNAPPENBERGER (1862-1915)

David Hill Knappenberger was born 11 August 1862 in Belknap, Wayne Township, Armstrong County, PA and died 13 October 1915 in Clover Township, Jefferson County, PA.  David married Mary Ann MICHAEL, daughter of Samuel Michael, Jr. and Mary Wise, on 24 September 1885.  She was born 11 August 1867 and died 13 September 1933 in Armagh, Indiana County, PA.  In the 1930 census, Mary M. Knappenberger is living in Armagh Township, Indiana County, PA with her daughter, Florence Ruth Tomb.  This couple is buried in Vandervort Cemetery, Clover Township, Jefferson County, PA.  This couple had four children.

1. Edward Ellis Knappenberger known as "Ellis" was born 2 November 1886 in Clover Township, Jefferson County, PA and died 15 May 1948 in Titusville, Crawford County, PA.  Ellis married Alma Pearl YOUNG known as "Pearl", daughter of Adam Henry Young and Susanna Catherine Bodenhorn, on 14 June 1911 in Clarion County, PA.  Pearl was born 15 June 1887 in New Bethlehem, Clarion County, PA and died 5 July 1943 in Warren County, PA.  This couple is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Titusville, PA.  They had three children.

Edward Ellis Knappenberger
[photo graciously provided by Dorothy Hamilton Knepshield]

a. Susanna Mary Knappenberger known as "Sue" was born 6 April 1912 in Mercer County, PA and died 9 August 1990 in Crawford County, PA.  She first married Harold John MEADER, Sr., son of John Meader and Katherine Reglin, on 6 April 1935 in Crawford County, PA.  Harold was born 25 February 1902 in Crawford County, PA and died 28 June 1960 in Meadville, Crawford County, PA.  Sue and Harold are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Titusville, PA.  Sue and Harold had 3 children.  She also raised two sons of her husband's from his previous marriage

 Sue later married Wilford A. CLARK, Sr., son of Harold Clark and Nora Armstrong, on 27 October 1963 in Titusville, PA.   Wilford  was born 14 June 1907 in Crawford County, PA and died 17 March 1966.

b. Alma Dee Knappenberger known as "Dee" was born 28 September 1914 in Jefferson County, PA and died 7 April 1992 in Orange County, California.  She married twice:  Alton E. WYKOFF (known as Whitey), son of Henry Everett Wykoff and Florence Berchard, on 18 Sept 1934.  This marriage ended in divorce.  Alton was born 16 Aug 1913 in Crawford County, PA and died 22 Oct 1990 there. They had one daughter.   Dee then married Warren Frederick HOWARD, son of Hugh Howard and Ada Green, on 7 December 1947 in Crawford County, PA.  Warren was born 12 Aug 1916 in PA and died 3 Dec 1981 in Riverside County, California.  

c. Ralph Edward Knappenberger was born 12 September 1920 in Mercer County, PA and died 14 February 1983 in San Bernardino County, California.  He married Bernice NELSON who was born 27 May 1927 and died 16 Dec 2004 in Orange County, California.  Family members state that Ralph was murdered.   Ralph served with the U.S. Army during World War II.   They had two daughters.  

2.  Mary Lola Knappenberger known as "Lola" was born 26 October 1888 in Clover Township, Jefferson County, PA and died 4 March 1972 in Jefferson County, PA.  Lola married James Walter McMASTER on 14 September 1910 in Baxter, Jefferson County, PA.  James was born 20 Feb 1885 in PA. This couple had two children.

a. Samuel David McMaster was born 25 January 1912 in Clarion County, PA and died 31 October 1995 in Erie County, PA.  He married Faye Alma REARICK (2 April 1911 - 8 Dec 1997).   They had 3 children.

b. Mary Elizabeth McMaster was born 1918 in Clarion County, PA and married twice: to Fred BYERLY and to a Mr. MOORE.

3.  Florence Ruth Knappenberger known as "Ruth" was born 9 October 1891 in Clover Township, Jefferson County, PA and died sometime after 1942.  .  She married Robert "Bruce" TOMB about 1923.  Bruce was born 16 Nov 1889 in Indiana Co., PA and died sometime after 1942.  This couple had one daughter.

a. Virginia Crete Tomb was born 26 July 1924 in Armagh, Indiana County, PA and died 8 April 1990 in Westmoreland County, PA.  She married Robert J. WAGNER, son of Robert Kenneth Wager and Virginia Liggett, on 15 Feb 1946.   They had a son:  Robert Jack Wagner (17 Aug 1947-21 Feb 2007) and a daughter.

4.  Frances Malissa Knappenberger known as "Malissa" was born 20 December 1896 in Dickens, Goochland County, Virginia and died 24 January 1973 in Jefferson County, PA.  Malissa married Malcolm MacDougal KINNAIRD, son of immigrants John Kinnaird and Deborah Orr of Galston, Scotland, in Kittanning, Armstrong County, PA.  Malcolm was born 27 March 1895 at Arnot, Tioga County, PA and died 28 October 1933 in Jefferson County, PA   Both are buried in Vandervort Cemetery, Summerville, Jefferson County,  PA.  They had four children.

a. William Hill Kinnaird (6 Sept 1923-29 May 1993)
b. Malcolm Lee Kinnaird.
c. Lois Ann Kinnaird.
d. John Orr Kinnaird.
 

ROBERT FRANTZ KNAPPENBERGER (1866-1956)

Robert Frantz Knappenberger was born 22 April 1866 in Belknap, Wayne Township, Armstrong County, PA  and died 14 April 1956 in Jefferson County, PA.  He married Mary A. MITCHELL on 29 July 1888 in West Millville, PA.  Mary was born 1869 and died 1954 in Jefferson County, PA.  This couple is buried in Brookville Cemetery, Jefferson County, PA.  This couple had seven children.

1.  Chester Lee Knappenberger was born and died on 4 Jan 1889 in Armstrong County, PA.

2.  Grace Elizabeth Knappenberger known as "Lizzie" was born 16 November 1889 in Armstrong County, PA and died 13 March 1992 in Brookville, Jefferson County, PA at the age of 103. 

Grace first married at the age of 17 in 1907 to John MILLIRON and with him had a son.  This marriage ended in divorce.

a. Robert J. Milliron born 10 March 1908 in PA and died 8 Aug 1996 in New York.  He married Agnes Kunselman. He was living with his Knappenberger grandparents in the 1920 census.

Grace then married Reuben Philip FERRINGER, Sr., son of Phillip Ferringer and Matilda George, on 1 May 1912 in Brookville, Jefferson County, PA.  Reuben was born 26 April 1891 in Clarion County, PA and died 10 October 1964 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA.  Grace raised her children alone after Reuben left the family during the Great Depression.

Grace Elizabeth "Lizzie" [Knappenberger] Ferringer
[photo graciously provided by Dorothy Hamilton Knepshield]

b.  Ruth Louise Ferringer (29 April 1913-14 Dec 1988) who married Arleigh Nevin FAULKNER on 3 Aug 1933 (29 Aug 1907-24 March 1999)   
c.  Rueben Philip Ferringer, Jr. (2 June 1915) who married Helen Louise SCHUCKERS (28 July 1917-15 march 1955) 22 November 1945.  He later married Muriel CHAPMAN.
d.  Mary Jane Ferringer (4 May 1917-15 June 1966) who married Carl John AHLSTROM (16 January  1916 - 18 April 1975) on 21 February 1938.
e.  Theodore Jerome Ferringer (6 March 1919-24 Sept 2007) who married Bertha Marie KNISELEY (25 July 1929-13 Sept 1984) on 10 Sept 1948.
f.  Browyn Elizabeth Ferringer (15 Feb1921-1996) who married Robert SINGLETON (1910-1986) on 10 Sept 1946.
g.   Lois Grace Ferringer (3 Dec 1923-24 Dec 1980) who married Jack Ransom LITTLE (18 Dec 1918) on 12 Oct 1842.
h. Marjorie Hope Ferringer (31 Oct 1924-20 March 1999) who married Joseph Glen HELMHECKER (31 Jan 1919- 29 Nov 1995). This marriage ended in divorce.  Marjorie married Marvin D. GROMLEY (23 Aug 1918) on 25 May 1964.
i. Daniel Jennings Ferringer (born 1926) who married Helen Hibler Morgan in 1956.
i.  Arthur Ray Ferringer (born 1928) who married Helen Louise Koral in 1952.

3. Lucy Bell Knappenberger was born 20 December 1890 in Clarion County, PA.  She married William H. GRAY, son of Joseph and Carrie Gray, on 5 November 1908 in Hawthorne, Clarion County, PA.  William was born March 1891 in PA.    They had 3 daughters:  Helen Gray (31 Aug 1910-April 1974) who married David Bowden, June Gray (abt 1914) who married Peter Gussie and Marian Gray (abt 1916) who married Ronald Davies.  

4.  Robert Scott Mitchell Knappenberger known as "Scott" was born 28 April 1893 in Hawthorne, Clarion County, PA and died 25 February 1968 in Canfield, Ohio.  Some of his records indicate his name as Scott Robert but his gravestone reads "Robert S. Knappenberger".  Scott married Violet May CRAWFORD who was born 1893 in Pennsylvania and died 1964.  This couple had three children.

a. Blair Robert Knappenberger was born 9 April 1913 in Westmoreland Co., PA and died January 1982 in Allegheny Co., PA.  He married Helen SZAMATOWICZ (7 May 1914 - 1 April 977), daughter of Joseph Szamatowicz and Mary Plotukis, on 30 May 1940.  They had two children:  Audrey Maria Knappenberger and Blair Robert Knappenberger, Jr. (30 July 1942 - 16 November 2006) who served in US Army in Vietnam.

                                                       Seated left to right: Robert "Scott" Knappenberger (1893-1968);  

                  Robert Frantz Knappenberger (1866-1956), Blair Robert Knappenberger, Sr. (1913-1983)

                 and seated in front, Blair Robert Knappenberger, Jr. (1942-2006)

 

b. Geraldine Knappenberger (27 March 1915 - 25 January 1990) who married William FRANKLIN (Abt 1894-4 March 1963).

c.  An infant who died at birth.

Robert "Scott" Knappenberger remarried to Mary (maiden name unknown)

 

5.  Florence Ruth Knappenberger was born 18 September 1894 in Armstrong County, PA and died 4 November 1958.   She married Albert C.  SHAFER known as "Bert".  Bert was born 18 January 1895 and died 30 march 1971. Ruth and Albert had a daughter.

a. Jean Charlotte Schafer was born 7 April 1918  and died 16 April 1999. She married Denzil CROYLE (13 Jan 1905-10 Sept 1967).

6.  Marjorie Isle Knappenberger was born 16 September 1896 in Armstrong County, PA and died 1936.  She married Richard Benjamin THOMPSON about 1916.  Richard was born 17 Nov 1896 in Armstrong Co., PA and died August 1985 there.  They had six children.

a. John D. "Jack" Thompson.
b. Richard D. Thompson.
c. Bronwyn "Bonnie" Thompson.
d. Gail Thompson.
e. Carolyn Thompson.
f. Nancy Thompson (28 October 1934-14 January 2000) who married Oral Kenneth Shaffer.

7.  Charlotte Rebecca Knappenberger was born 20 September 1898 in Armstrong  County, PA and died 8 February 1987 in Brookville, Jefferson County, PA.  For a photo of Charlotte taken in 1914 at Chestnut Hill School in Redbank Township, Armstrong County, PA, click on the name of the school.  She married Carl Russell OLSON, son of J.H. and Annie Olson, about 1927.  Carl was born 15 July 1900 in Jefferson County, PA and died July 1984 in Jefferson County, PA.  Charlotte and Carl had two sons:

a. Jerry Carl Olson.
b. David Franklin Olson.

8.  Bronwyn Kizzie Knappenberger was born 30 October 1900 in Armstrong County, PA and died 1931 in Jefferson County, PA.  She never married and is buried next to her parents in Brookville Cemetery, Jefferson County, PA.

9.  Richard F. Knappenberger was born 1901-1903 in Armstrong County, PA and died 6 January 1903 in Armstrong County, PA. 

BELLA JANE KNAPPENBERGER (1869-1913)

Bella Jane Knappenberger known as "Belle" was born 28 March 1869 in Belknap, Wayne Township, Armstrong County, PA and died 6 December 1913 in Armstrong County, PA.  Belle married Jonathon MOHNEY, son of John Mohney and Sophia Yost, on 27 December 1888.  Jonathan was born 3 November 1853 in Redbank Township, Clarion County, PA and died 22 June 1930 in Allegheny County, PA.  This family is buried in Alcola Cemetery, Redbank Township, Clarion County, PA.  They had three children.

1.  Belle Mohney was born 25 March 1889 in Clarion County, PA and died 6 December  1903 in Clarion County, PA.  She is buried with her parents in Alcola Cemetery.

2. John Hill Mohney was born 16 August 1890 and died 1969 in Clarion County, PA.  John married Mary Magdalene HELLER, daughter of John F. Heller, on 23 November 1917.  Mary was born 22 August 1893 in PA and died 1971 in Clarion County, PA.  This couple is buried in Alcola Cemetery.  They had five children.

a. John Oliver Mohney (18 June 1919-3 July 1999).
b. Franklin Heller Mohney.
c. William Hill Mohney.
d. Martha Jane Mohney.
e. Robert Lamar Mohney.

3. Florence Evelyn Mohney was born 26 January 1897 and died 1 March 1989 in Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina.  Florence married George Woodruff WHITEHEAD who was born 1879 and died 1964.  This couple is buried in Alcola Cemetery.

 

FLORENCE JOCASTA KNAPPENBERGER (1872-1937)

Florence Jocasta Knappenberger was born 1 March 1872 in Belknap, Wayne Township, Armstrong County, PA and died 4 January 1937 in Valier, PA.  She married Charles C. HERPEL on 28 October 1896.  Charles was born September 1867 in Germany and died 1931 in Pennsylvania.  This couple is buried in Hawthorne Cemetery, Clarion County, PA.  They  had two children.  

1.  Mildred L. Herpel born October 1897 in Clarion County, PA.   She was a teacher in the 1920 census for Reynoldsville, PA.

2. Robert J. Herpel born 12 Jan 1904 in PA and died February 1985 in PA.

12 January 1912

Robert J. Herpel
[photo graciously provided by Dorothy Hamilton Knepshield]

FRANK LEE KNAPPENBERGER (1875-1946)

Frank Lee Knappenberger was born 26 March 1875 in Belknap, Wayne Township, Armstrong County, PA and died 18 April 1946 in Charleroi, Washington County, PA.   He married Edith Belle WAUGAMAN, daughter of Philip Henry Waugaman and Betty Helm, on 25 November 1903 in St. Louis, Missouri.  Edith was born 13 March 1881 in Armstrong County, PA and died 8 August 1971 in Charleroi, PA.  This couple is buried in Monongahela Cemetery.  Frank and Edith had seven children.

1.  Virginia Crete Knappenberger known as "Crete" or "Jennie" was born 16 December 1905 in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, PA and died 28 January 1999 in Brownsville, Fayette County, PA.  She married Everett Parmlee HILL on 6 June 1936 in Spruce Creek, Huntingdon County, PA.  Everett was born 1900 and died 13 December 1963.  They had one son: Kenneth.

2. Dean Sloan Knappenberger was born 30 December 1907 in Kittanning, Armstrong County, PA and died 3 February 1998 in Carroll Township, Washington County, PA.  He married Viola Verne ROBBINS, daughter of Thomas Robbins and Margaret Pringle, on 13 June 1941 in Winston Salem, North Carolina.  Viola was born about 1915 in PA and died 22 February 1970 in Allegheny County, PA.  They had one son:  Robert Dean Knappenberger (11 Oct 1946-26 February 2004).  Dean Sloan served in the military during World War II.

3. Rush Smith Knappenberger was born 9 June 1911 in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, PA and died 28 November 1942 in Charleroi, Washington County, PA.

4. Frances Irene Knappenberger was born 2 September 1913 in North Charleroi, Washington County, PA and died 5 July 2008 in Kennesaw, Cobb County, PA.  She married Kenneth A. HAYNES on 2 August 1952 in Madison, New Jersey.  Kenneth was born 29 Nov 1908 and died 14 June 2006 in Florida.  

5. Ruby Alberta Knappenberger was born 13 January 1916 in Charleroi, Washington County, PA and died 13 Sept 2007 in Cartersville, GA.  She married Wallace E. BROWN on 20 November 1947 in Bristol, Tennessee.  Wallace was born 19 Feb 1915 and died 23 December 1974.  They had 3 children:  Beverly J. Brown, Heather S. Brown and Mark David Brown (26 Aug 1959-23 Sept 2008).

6. Pearle Grace Knappenberger was born 1918 in Charleroi, PA and died 25 August 2008 in Washington Co., PA.  She married Carl Ralph McCRORY, son of Ralph A. McCrory and Nannie Porter,  on 14 June 1941 in Winston Salem, North Carolina.  Carl was born 13 June 1917 in California, Washington County, PA and died 16 September 1985 in California, PA.   Carl and Pearle had 3 children:  Ralph Lee McCrory (7 Feb 1944-7 Feb 1944), Bruce Wayne McCrory and Warren Lynn McCrory.

7. John Darwin Knappenberger was born 1922 in Washington County, PA.  He first married Leah GERARD on 3 May 1946. Leah was born 2 Oct 1928 and died Dec 1999.  This marriage ended in divorce.  He later married Shirley KALINOSKI on 2 September 1967.  John Darwin served in the military during World War II.  John and Leah had one daughter:  Janet Eileen Knappenberger.

Do you have additional information that you care to share on this family?
If so, please contact us at jsappleton@windstream.net

SPECIAL THANKS TO 

• Jeff Ferringer who provided us with information related to the 
  Grace Elizabeth Knappenberger Ferringer Family. 

• John Darwin Knappenberger for all his assistance.

• Pam Goga for sharing the Daniel Knappenberger family Bible.

• Pearl Knappenberger McCrory for her interest and information.

• John Orr Kinnaird for his help with the David Hill Knappenberger family.

• David Franklin Olson for help on the Robert Frantz Knappenberger Family.