Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery
p. 877
Surnames: KLINGER, SHIRMAN, BORDNER, HOFFMAN, HARNTRAFT,
PENNYPACKER, BARR, KURR, GEISLER
Isaac B. Klinger, the subject of this sketch, was born at
Millersburg (Bethel P. O.), Berks Co., Pa., May 1, 1851.
The Klinger family emigrated from Holland.
Alexander Klinger, great-great-grandfather of Isaac B. Klinger,
sailed in the ship "Albany", Robert Brown, Master, from Rotterdam,
last from Cowes, Isle of Wight, England, and landed at
Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 2, 1749. He settled in Reading, Berks
county, and was in the first taxable list on record of Reading, for
1759. His name also appears in the first United States Census of
Reading, taken in 1790. He was a real estate owner in the city of
Reading, as appears by patents taken for lots in 1753. He served as
a private in the Revolutionary war, in Capt. Conrad Shirman's
Company, of Berks county volunteers. He died in the city of Reading
in April, 1802.
George Adam Klinger, a son of Alexander Klinger,
had previously settled in Mahantango, which at that time still was
territory of Berks county. The Klinger family multiplied and by
this time are quite numerous through Schuylkill and adjoining
counties.
Absalom Klinger, a son of George, and a grandson
of the aforesaid George Adam, was the father of the subject of this
sketch. He was born on the old Klinger homestead in Mahantango
Sept. 20, 1817. In his younger years he came to Millersburg, Berks
county, to learn the weaver's trade, which he followed through his
active period; he liked Millersburg and settled down there and was
married to Elizabeth Bordner, daughter of John Bordner and his wife
Elizabeth (Hoffman). Four children were born to this union, viz.:
Elizabeth, Rebecca, Isaac B. and Sophia D. Absalom died April 6,
1901, and his wife, Elizabeth, June 27, 1901, aged respectively
eighty-four years and eighty-one years.
Isaac B. Klinger was reared in Millersburg and
received his early education in the public schools of that place,
later attending the Keystone State Normal School, at Kutztown, and
the Palatinate College, at Myerstown. He learned the trade of
weaver with his father, and followed it for some time. He then
engaged in school teaching for eight years. On June 6, 1877, he was
appointed Justice of the Peace for Bethel township, by Gov. John F.
Hartranft, the duties of which office he filled efficiently and
conscientiously up to May, 1903, when he refused a re-election. The
same year he was commissioned by Gov. Samuel W. Pennypacker a
notary public for the State of Pennsylvania, with office at Bethel,
to the duties of which office he now gives his attention.
Mr. Klinger has always affiliated with the
Democratic party and had been honored by said party with election
as a member of the standing committee of Berks county, sending him
as delegate to county, State, and national conventions. In home
matters he was always wide-awake and progressive. He was the
founder of the cigar industry in his town. He was the promoter of
the Bethel Shirt Works of his town, to which in conjunction with
Mr. Isaac Barr he still gives his attention; these works were
organized in 1897 and give continual employment to from fifty to
sixty persons. He was also one of the prime movers in the
organization and founding of the Blue Mountain Electric Company, a
chartered organization to furnish light and power to rural towns,
of which company he is treasurer; he is also treasurer of the board
of supervisors of Bethel township. In business circles and in all
deliberative assemblies, where experience combined with sound
judgment are of consequence, Mr. Klinger's opinion is sought and
always commands respect and consideration.
Mr. Klinger has also taken an active part in
secret societies in his time. He is a charter member and past
officer of the Bethel Lodge, No. 820, I. O. O. F.; a charter member
of Washington Camp No. 214, P. O. S. of A.; and a member of the
Tulpehocken Castle, No. 133, K. G. E.
In 1871 Mr. Klinger was married to Leanda R.
Kurr, of Millersburg, daughter of William and Selecia (Geisler)
Kurr. She died Dec. 27, 1890, at the age of thirty-nine years. Four
children were born to this union, viz.: William, Agnes, Ellen and
Mabel. Mr. Klinger and his family are members of the Salem Reformed
Church of Millersburg.
p.
1030
Surnames: KLINGER, FAIR, BARGDOL, HOMAN, ALBRIGHT, SMITH, HOWARD,
GLASS, MERGET, WEAND, GLENZORA, PAULY, ROHM. VANBUSKIRK, FAIRCHILD,
STONESIFER, MOYER.
John Wesley Klinger, who is engaged in the shoe business at No.
1624 Cotton street, Reading, is a native of that city, born Dec.
26, 1850, son of Michael and Matilda (Fair) Klinger.
Peter Klinger, the founder of this family in
America, lived in Exeter township, and is buried at Stonetown. He
owned property, and his will was probated in 1790, the year of his
death. Mr. Klinger, as well as his wife, was a native of Swabia,
Germany. Among their children were: Philip, who had a son Philip;
John and William.
William Klinger, born Dec. 6, 1799, son of Peter
and grandfather of John W., was a hatter, and for some years worked
at his trade in Reading. To him and his good wife Polly were born:
William, of whom nothing was heard after the Civil war; John
(Jack), who lived at different places, his place of death being
unknown; Charles, who was a cigar maker and hatter, dividing his
time between Reading and Lancaster, and died in Lancaster; Mary,
who married John Bargdol, for some years a resident of Reading and
later of Philadelphia, where he was killed on the Pickering Valley
Railroad; and Michael.
Michael Klinger, father of John W., was born in
1823, and died in Reading Feb. 8, 1857, age thirty-three years, two
months, and twenty-four days. The major part of his life was spent
in Reading, where he was engaged as a laborer for many years and in
later years in boating. On October 20, 1847, in Reading, by the
Rev. Mr. Pauly, he was married to Matilda Fair, born March 25,
1832, above Birdsboro. She died in Reading, Aug. 13, 1899, age
sixty-seven years, four months and nineteen days. They had four
children: William Howard, born Oct. 3, 1848, lives in Maple Bay,
Minn. (m. to Matilda Homan, of Reading); John Wesley was born in
Reading Dec. 26, 1850; Charles Henry, born in Reading, May 22,
1853, died July 4, 1903, in Philadelphia, Pa. aged fifty years, one
month and thirteen days; Anna Maria, born in Reading, Oct. 9, 1855,
died Dec. 23, 1855.
John W. Klinger was educated at the Reading
schools, and at an early age entered the Reading Cotton Mills,
where he worked about four years, he then learning the blacksmith's
trade with Amos Albright of Bern township, with whom he was
employed two years. For one year he worked at Harrisburg for the
Franklin Foundry Company, and the following year entered the employ
of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, with which company he
was connected for upward of seven years. At the end of this time
Mr. Klinger established himself in business , opening a shoe store
at No. 1624 Cotton street, in 1894, and here he has been engaged to
the present time with much success. He is industrious and
enterprising, is a self-made man, and is esteemed by his fellow
citizens for his honesty and integrity. Mr. Klinger is a Democrat
in politics, and at one time was quite active in public affairs. He
has been prominent fraternally, belonging to Reading Lodge No. 549,
F. & A. M.; Dauphin Lodge, No. 160, I. O. O. F., of Harrisburg;
St. John Castle, No. 17, A. O. K. M. C., of Harrisburg; Fidelia
Chamber, No. 5, Knights of Friendship, of Reading; Aaron Lodge, No.
95, American Protestant Association, of Reading; Washington Camp,
No. 329, P. O. S. of A., of Reading; and Union Fire Company, No.
13, Union Association, all of Reading, in which he is very popular.
In the year 1869 John Wesley Klinger was married
at Harrisburg to Kate Louisa Smith of that city, by the Rev. Thomas
M. Griffith. She was born Dec. 1, 1849, daughter of George Z. and
Mary (Albright) Smith (the former of whom was a railroad man of
Harrisburg, Pa.), and died July 2, 1892, aged forty-two years,
seven months, one day. Mr. and Mrs. Klinger had fourteen children,
as follows: George William, born April 10, 1870, in Harrisburg, m.
(first) Jennie Howard, of Harrisburg and after her death (second)
Bessie Glass, of Harrisburg; Mary Matilda, born Aug. 19, 1871, in
Reading, m. Jacob Merget, of Reading; Charles Daniel, born June 22,
1873, in Harrisburg, died Feb. 18, 1874; John Wesley, Jr., born
Dec. 10, 1874, in Harrisburg, died July 16, 1876; Katie Iruba, born
March 28, 1876, in Harrisburg, m. Edward John Weand, of Reading;
Annie Glenzora, born Dec. 13, 1877, in Harrisburg, m. Edward Rohm,
of Harrisburg; Clyde Day, born Aug. 28, 1879 in Harrisburg, m. Mary
VanBuskirk, of Reading; Vernon Leroy, born Sept. 20, 1881, in
Harrisburg, died Aug. 10, 1882; Owen Swartz, born March 3, 1883, in
Harrisburg, died in Reading Feb. 3, 1905, aged twenty-one years and
eleven months; Eddie Fern, born Feb. 14, 1886, in Reading, m. Olive
Fairchild; Earl DeA., born in Reading, Aug. 6, 1887, m. Florence
Stonesifer, of Steelton; Calvin Hoffeditz, born Dec. 14, 1889, in
Reading, m. Anna V. Moyer, of Reading, and she died Feb. 18, 1909,
aged seventeen years and twenty-seven days; Amy May, born May 15,
1891, in Reading, died Jan. 29, 1892, aged eight months and
fourteen days; and William Howard.
p. 979
Surnames: KLOPP, BAUSHER, GRUBER, STEIN, BICKEL, REICH, GRETH,
KNOLL, ERNST, GERHART, SEIDEL, PEIFFER, MILLER, SUNDAY, FOGLEMAN,
ZECHMAN, SNYDER, DEISHER, BORDNER, STUPP, KEENER, FISHER
Cyrus P. Klopp, justice of the peace, clerk for Recorder Jeremiah
A. Bausher, and a well-known educator of Tulpehocken township, was
born in North Heidelberg township, Berks county, Pa., May 18, 1863,
son of Ephraim and Matilda (Gruber) Klopp.
Peter Klopp, great-grandfather of Cyrus P., was
an early settler in North Heidelberg township. He reared seven
sons, namely: Peter, Adam, John, Benjamin, Daniel, Joseph and
Isaac.
Joseph Klopp, son of Peter, was reared a farmer
and followed agricultural pursuits through all his active life. He
married Christianna Stein, and they had eight children, namely: (1)
Annie married Benjamin Bickel, who carried on a blacksmith business
for many years. She died some time ago, the mother of four
children, namely: Reuben, Benjamin, John and Christiana, the latter
of whom died young. (2) Jonathan married and then moved to the
West, where he died, leaving some children. (3) Jacob was a farmer
in both Berks and Lebanon counties. He died on his premises near
Myerstown, Lebanon Co., Pa. He married and had the following
children: Allison, Ephraim, Lewis, Francis, James and two
daughters. (4) Sarah married John Reich, after which they lived for
a number of years at Bernville, but subsequently moved to a small
farm in North Heidelberg township, where both died in advanced age.
They had the following children: William, Harrison, John L.,
Christiana (m. Lewis Greth), and Kate (m. Albert Knoll). (5)
Priscilla married Emanuel Ernst, who carried on farming in North
and Lower Heidelberg and in Centre townships. She died on their
farm near Belleman's Church. They had the following children: Henry
C., George, Charles, Pierce, Lillie, Tillie and James. (6) Ephraim.
(7) Darius married and resides in Missouri. (8) Amanda married
Reuben Gerhart, who engaged in farming in his younger years. She
died in the City of Reading, the mother of Priscilla, Susan, Mary,
Henry and Charles.
Ephraim Klopp, father of Cyrus P., was born in
North Heidelberg township, in 1830. He engaged in farming for his
father until 1873, when he purchased land of his own, on which he
lived until his death, which took place when he was but forty-eight
years of age. He married (first) Eliza Gruber, a daughter of Daniel
and Christiana (Seidel) Gruber. She survived but the birth of one
son, Israel, who died in childhood. Some years later he married
(second) Matilda Gruber, also a daughter of Daniel Gruber, who
survived him for eighteen years. The children born to the second
marriage were as follows: one died in infancy; Nathaniel, who is in
the employ of the Iron Manufacturing Works at Lebanon, m. Lizzie
Peiffer, and they had the following children, Paul and Claude
(residing at Harrisburg), Ephraim, Catherine, Herbert and Warren
(at home), and Hattie and John (died young); Agnes R. m. Richard F.
Miller, a farmer and the manager of the Bethany Orphans' Home, at
Womelsdorf, and has two children, Clayton and Claire; Cyrus P.;
John Henry, who is engaged in farming on his father-in-law's
property, in Jefferson township, m. Florinda Sunday, daughter of
Jacob Sunday, of Krick's rolling-mills, and has four children,
Lammas C. (a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School), Mabel
(deceased), Elvey and Mary; and Reiley E., who is engaged in
farming near Myerstown, Lebanon county, m. Mary Fogleman, daughter
of Israel Fogleman, and has three children, Amy, Edna and Floyd.
Cyrus P. Klopp attended the public schools in
North Heidelberg township until he was seventeen years of age, when
he entered the public schools of Cumberland county, and when
nineteen years old he was admitted to the high school at Bernville,
Prof. M. A. Gruber then being the instructor. This school he
attended one term, after which he was successful in securing a
teacher's certificate, and he has since followed teaching as a
profession, becoming widely known over the county. He has taught
twenty-four winter terms and six spring terms, among these being:
Peiffer's school in Tulpehocken township for six terms; Artz's
school, one term; Livengood's school, four terms; Forge school in
North Heidelberg, four terms, and Mt. Aetna Grammar school in
Tulpehocken township for nine terms, and he has signed the contract
for continued work at this point. In 1893, County Superintendent
William M. Zechman granted him a professional certificate, and in
1894 it was made permanent, and in the following year there was
added proficiency in algebra, vocal music, bookkeeping and civics.
Mr. Klopp takes a deep interest in his professional work and loses
no opportunity to advance himself in it. Since he has been teaching
he has never failed to be present at the county institute, and has
missed only one meeting of the local institute of his district.
In 1900 Mr. Klopp was elected justice of the
peace to succeed Aaron Snyder, of Mt. Aetna, an office he has
filled with the greatest efficiency. On numerous occasions he has
also held minor offices of the township, such as inspector of
election, township auditor, etc. In 1902 he was appointed a
director of the Farmers' Mutual Assistance and Fire Insurance
Company succeeding the late Gereon Deisher. He was appointed to a
clerkship in the Recorder's office of Berks county, in January,
1908, by Jeremiah A. Bausher. Since the age of six years, Mr. Klopp
has been interested in Sunday-school work. For three years he
filled the responsible position of superintendent of the Peiffer
Union Sunday-school, at Wintersville, and is serving in the same
capacity in St. John's Reformed Sunday-school, at Mt. Aetna. During
1903 and 1904 he had charge during the summers of the general
mercantile store of I. J. H. Bordner, at Mt. Aetna, when the latter
with his family moved to Washington, Kansas.
In the year 1886 Mr. Klopp was married to Mary
A. Stupp, daughter of Ezra E. and Rebecca W. (Keener) Stupp. Ezra
E. Stupp was a soldier who served in the Civil war in Company H,
151st Pa. V. I., and was taken prisoner and confined at Belle Isle.
Mr. and Mrs. Klopp have two children living: Wallace E., born in
North Heidelberg township, Feb. 26, 1887, is preparing to be a
pharmacist and to this end is learning the drug business in the
store of Mr. Rumsey, on North 41st street, Philadelphia, and at the
same time is attending a college of Pharmacy, that city; Elsie M.,
born in North Heidelberg township, Nov. 1, 1888, married Raymond M.
Fisher, and has a daughter, Grace P., born Dec. 24, 1907.
In political sentiment, Mr. Klopp is a stanch
Democrat, and on various occasions he has served as a delegate to
important conventions. For six years he served as deputy coroner of
his township, when residing in Tulpehocken. For two years, after
his marriage, he lived in North Heidelberg township, then moved to
Wintersville, where he remained twelve years, from there moving to
Mt. Aetna, Berks county, his present place of residence. He is a
member of Camp No. 69, P. O. S. of A., at Mt. Aetna, and has served
in every office in the subordinate camps except treasurer, and at
present is serving as financial secretary. He belongs also to
Tulpehocken Council, No. 941, O. of I. A., of Myerstown. He takes
much interest in both organizations. He is a leading member of the
Reformed Church at Host, in Tulpehocken township.
p. 1688
Surnames: KLOPP/KLOP/KLOPF, MILLER, FIDLER, WEISER, BECKER, KNOBB,
HAIN, KEISER, BUCKS, ERNST, WAGNER, DUNDORE, GERHART, LAMM,
BROSSMAN, OCKS, STINE, REEDY, FAUST, LEISS, STAMM, ANSPACH, KILMER,
ZELLER, WALBORN, KLINE, SCHUETZ, LINDENMUTH, FISHER, FILBERT,
LAUCK, SEIGNER, PEIFFER, BEHNE, SEIBERT, WINTER, MILLER, RUTH,
REEDY, UHRICH, ULRICH, KALBACH, LUDWIG, KNOR, WENRICH, HUNT, HENNE,
MINNICH, LAMM, HECK, CONRAD, BRIGHTS, POTTEIGER, FOX, WAGNER,
HECKLER, GRUBER, LEINBACH, MOSSER, EVANS, HECHLER, KISSLING, BEARD,
RICK, STRUNK
The Klopp family is one of the oldest and most numerous in Berks
county, and each generation has produced men and women who have
lived honorably and usefully in their communities. The Klopp family
had its origin near Bingen on the Rhine, Germany, and there in 1906
still stood a castle known as "Schlossklopp."
(I) Peter Klopp (Klop or Klopf) was a Reformed
member of the Tulpehocken Church in 1735. Later he, with Rev. Peter
Miller, Godfried Fidler, Conrad Weiser, and others, joined a church
at Ephrata, Lancaster Co., Pa., and at the home of Mr. Fidler, who
had first taken up land in Tulpehocken township, burned the Psalms,
catechisms and other good books. Before the house of the
Tulpehocken brethren (German Seventh Day Baptists) was finished,
Conrad Weiser, Hans Michael Miller, Peter Klopf, Godfried Fidler,
and several single men and women went to the settlement at Ephrata.
Of these, Weiser, Miller and Klopf later withdrew from the Ephrata
settlement, but not so the daughter of Peter Klopf, who remained
steadfast. Her monastic name was "Thecla" and is so listed on the
roster of the Sisterhood. She died Oct. 6, 1748, probably at
Ephrata. Peter Klop died in 1753. [See Sachse's "German Sectarians
of Pennsylvania, 1708-1742."]
(II) Peter Klopp (Klop), son of Peter, born Nov. 22, 1719, died May
22, 1794, and is buried at Hain's Church, where the inscription on
his headstone is still legible. His wife, Werrina Becker (in), born
Jan. 24, 1718, died Nov. 13, 1792.
(III) Peter Klopp (3), son of Peter (2) and Werrina, born in
Heidelberg May 31, 1751, died there Feb. 24, 1835, in the
eighty-fourth year of his age. He was buried at the Corner Church.
In April, 1800, he purchased for 1800 in gold and silver money,
from Peter Knobb, the farm near Klopp's Store, now owned by William
D. Klopp. On Aug. 15, 1800, he sold this farm to his son and
namesake, Peter (4), for the same price he himself had given; and
on July 13, 1838, Peter Klopp (4) sold it to his son, Peter (5),
for $6,200. In 1867, after the death of Peter (5), the farm came
into the possession of William D. Klopp, the present owner. Peter
Klopp (3) was twice married. His first wife, Elizabeth Hain, died
about 1783, the mother of four children, namely: Catharine died
aged seventeen years; Elizabeth died aged two years; John Peter is
mentioned in full farther on; a daughter died young. The second
wife of Peter Klopp (3) was Elizabeth Fidler, born April 28, 1763,
died Jan. 10, 1835, a descendant of Godfried Fidler. Fifteen
children were born to this marriage, namely: John Adam m. Sarah
Keiser, and had thirteen children, nine sons and four daughters;
John m. Sarah Bucks, and had six sons and two daughters; Benjamin
(who died Sept. 19, 1819) m. Elizabeth Ernst, and had children -
Eli, John H. (who had a son Benjamin), Anna and Isaac (Benjamin's
wife administered his estate); Margaret m. Jacob Wagner, and had
eight children; Elizabeth m. Jacob Dundore, and had eleven
children; Anna Maria m. John Gerhart and had five sons and two
daughters; Catharine m. John Lamm, and had eight children; Susanna
m. Jacob Ernst, and had three sons and seven daughters; Daniel m.
(first) Susanna Brossman, and had seven sons and four daughters,
and m. (second) Mrs. Ocks (no issue); Joseph m. (first) Christine
Stine, had ten children, and (second) Catharine Reedy (no issue);
Sarah m. John Faust, and had four children; Isaac m. (first)
Henrietta Leiss, and had eight children, and m. (second) Mrs.
Stamm, and had one child; three sons died young. In about the year
1850 there were 112 grandchildren.
(IV) John Klopp, son of Peter (3), was born Aug. 30, 17--. He was a
pioneer farmer in Tulpehocken township, and there his death
occurred when he had reached the patriarchal age of eighty-nine
years, ten months, twenty-one days. He is buried at Tulpehocken
Church. In the early days he had all the experiences which fall to
the settler on wild land. On one occasion, while his wife was
milking the cows in the barn yard, a wild deer leaped over the
fence to the cattle. Much timber surrounded their cabin. Mr. Klopp
was a soldier in the war of 1812. He m. Sarah Bucks, daughter of
John and Elizabeth Bucks, born Aug. 26, 1783, died June 24, 1860,
aged seventy-six years, nine months, twenty-eight days. Their
children were: John, of Tulpehocken; David, of North Heidelberg;
Jonathan, born July 2, 1818, died April 5, 1897, who lived on the
homestead some years (m. Elizabeth Anspach, 1824-1886); Elias,
mentioned below; Daniel, of Tulpehocken; Elizabeth (m. David
Kilmer); Sallie (m. William Zeller); and a son that died in
infancy.
(V) Elias Klopp, son of John, born July 2, 1818, died Sept. 9,
1856, aged thirty-eight years, two months, seven days. He was a
farmer on the old homestead in Tulpehocken township. He m. Evalina
Walborn, born Jan. 26, 1827, daughter of Andrew and Catharine
(Kline) Walborn, of Marion township. She died Nov. 11, 1856, in her
thirtieth year. Both she and her husband, who had died but nine
weeks before, were the victims of typhoid fever, and both are
buried at the Tulpehocken Church. They were the parents of two
sons, Andrew J. and Isaac P. Elias Klopp was an official in the
church at the time of his death.
(VI) Andrew J. Klopp, son of Elias, was born in Tulpehocken
township, July 7, 1846. His early life and young manhood were
passed upon the farm, and he hired out to neighboring farmers until
he was twenty-eight years of age. When but sixteen he went to Wayne
county, Ohio, and there remained three and a half years, doing farm
work. In 1873 he began to work for himself in Marion township,
Berks county, two miles north of Stouchsburg, where he and his
brother, Isaac P., had purchased a farm of 126 acres. They farmed
this in partnership for some years, and then Andrew J. took the
farm and cultivated it alone for sixteen years. He then sold out
his stock and retired, but continued to live on the place a few
years before moving to his comfortable home in Stouchsburg, where
he still resides. He rents this farm to his son David. Mr. Klopp
has two other farms in Marion township, each of 115 acres, and
these he has tenanted. He also owns the tract of land originally
owned by Adam Schuetz, as well as the upper part of the tract first
owned by Balthar Anspach. [See Charles I. Lindenmuth's Map of
Pioneers of Tulpehocken Valley, in Vol. I. of this work.]
In his political views Mr. Klopp is a
Republican, and has always been interested in his party's welfare,
taking an active interest in the work in his own community. He is a
member of the Order of Good Fellows of Stouchsburg. With his family
he belongs to the Tulpehocken Reformed Church, in which he has held
all the offices, and he has been a valuable member in aiding with
time and means every good work undertaken. He liberally aided in
the remodeling of the church in 1894.
In 1873 Andrew J. Klopp m. Catharine S. Fisher,
daughter of Adam L. and Amelia (Filbert) Fisher, granddaughter of
Samuel and Elizabeth (Lauck) Fisher and great-granddaughter of
Johannes Fisher. Three sons blessed this union: Isaac W.,
vice-president of the Philadelphia Typewriter Exchange; David A., a
farmer on the homestead (m. Bessie Klopp, daughter of Albert and
granddaughter of Jonathan, and has four sons -J. Miles, Andrew A.,
Homer W. and Walter W.); and Warren E., a student still in school.
(VI) Isaac P. Klopp, son of Elias, born in Heidelberg Aug. 31,
1849, was but seven years of age when his parents died, and he made
his home with his grandfather, John Klopp, until he was eighteen
years of age. By that time he had become familiar with such duties
as fall to the lot of a boy on the farm, and he was hired out to
farmers during the summer months, but in the winters he remained in
his grandfather's home and attended school. At thirteen years of
age he went to Wayne county, Ohio, and remained three years. He
continued to engage in farm work for others until 1873, when he and
his brother, Andrew J., purchased, as before stated, a fine farm of
126 acres, which they cultivated jointly for seven years. In 1882
Isaac P. purchased an excellent farm of eighty-five acres, and
located two and a quarter miles due north of Stouchsburg. This
tract was originally owned by Hans George Seigner, as is shown on
the map of early settlers prepared by Charles I. Lindenmuth. Here
he lived and prospered until 1905, a period of twenty-three years.
In the fall of 1905 he purchased his present place and moved
thereon. This was a Peiffer homestead, and consists of seven acres
of land, with a commodious house and substantial outbuildings.
In politics Mr. Klopp is a Republican. He is a
member of the Tulpehocken German Reformed Church in Jackson
township, Lebanon county, located but three hundred yards from the
Berks county line. He served as deacon and elder for a number of
years, and at the present time is a trustee. He is also a member of
Washington Camp, No. 237, P. O. S. of A., of Stouchsburg.
Isaac P. Klopp has been twice married. His first
wife, Annie E. Peiffer, daughter of Edward and Caroline (Behne)
Peiffer, born Aug. 17, 1859, died March 5, 1885, when but
twenty-five years, six months, eighteen days old. For his second
wife Mr. Klopp married Adalina M. Seibert, daughter of Johnson and
Susanna (Winter) Seibert (the former a retired farmer), and
granddaughter of George and Sarah (Miller) Seibert. By his first
marriage Mr. Klopp became the father of two children: Herbert A., a
tenant on his father's farm, m. Gertie Reedy, daughter of Frank and
Susanna (Ruth) Reedy, and has three children -Merle E., Marguerite
C. and Elsie S.; and Carrie I. m. Wallace Uhrich, and has a son,
Russel K.
(IV) John Peter Klopp, born Sept. 11, 1775, son of Peter (3) and
his first wife, Elizabeth (Hain), was a lifelong farmer on the old
homestead. He died March 13, 1850, aged seventy-four years, six
months, two days, and was buried at the Corner Church. He m. Maria
Eva Ulrich, born May 20, 1768, died Dec. 13, 1830, in the
sixty-third year of her age. Their children were: John Peter,
father of William D., is mentioned farther on; Daniel owned a farm
adjoining that of his brother John Peter, now owned by John W.
Fisher (his children were Rebecca, William L., Jonathan L.,
Henrietta, Amanda, Elenora, Sarah, Amelia, Jane and Caroline, the
last named dying young); and Catharine (1804-1870) m. Adam Leiss
(1803-1875), of Leiss' Bridge, and they later lived in Reading,
where they died and are buried in the Charles Evans cemetery.
(V) John Peter Klopp (2) son of John Peter, born April 1, 1801,
died July 18, 1866, and was buried at the Corner Church. His life
was passed in farming on the place now owned by his son William D.
He was active in church life, and held office in the old Northkill
Church for many years. His wife was Margaret Kalbach, daughter of
John and Susanna (Ruth) Kalbach, born Nov. 6, 1806, died on the
home farm Nov. 18, 1853, in the forty-eighth year of her age. They
were the parents of seven children, as follows: Amelia S. died
unmarried; William D.; Rebecca died aged fourteen years; Adam died
aged four years; Emma m. Levi Ludwig; Sarah J. m. John Knor; Clara
died in infancy.
(VI) William D. Klopp, son of John Peter (2) and now a prosperous
farmer in North Heidelberg township, was born there July 2, 1837.
He was trained to farming, and at the age of twenty-one commenced
for himself on one of the farms which had descended from the
great-grandfather, Peter, through John Peter and John Peter (2),
father of William D. This farm is located near Klopp's Store, in a
fertile agricultural valley, and consists of 170 acres. After about
thirty-five years, devoted to the cultivation of this tract Mr.
Klopp retired in 1890, since which time he has divided his time
between his comfortable home on the farm and the cities of Reading
and Philadelphia.
Mr. Klopp is a Republican in political
principle. He and his family are members of the North Heidelberg
Reformed Church, of which he was deacon and elder for many years.
In 1858 Mr. Klopp m. Sarah Wenrich, daughter of
Paul and Salome (Leiss) Wenrich. They have three children: Lewis is
a well-known druggist of Philadelphia, in which city he resides at
No. 618 Lehigh avenue; Dr. Peter P., residing at No. 618 Lehigh
avenue, Philadelphia, m. Tacy R. Hunt, daughter of John Hunt, and
has a son, John W.; Kate M. m. James Henne, of Reading, and has a
son, William.
(V) Daniel Klopp, son of John Peter and Maria Eva (Ulrich) Klopp,
spent his life in North Heidelberg township, where he was a
well-known farmer and business man. He owned the 133-acre farm
which later became the property of his son William L. (and now
belongs to John W. Fisher, ex-director of the poor), as well as a
thirty-acre tract on which was situated his store building. His son
Jonathan L. was his successor in the mercantile business. He was an
official in the Northkill Church, of which his wife was also a
member. He m. Margaret Leiss, daughter of Adam Leiss, and they
became the parents of ten children: Rebecca m. Nathan Lamm;
Henrietta m. Adam Minnick; William L.; Amanda m. Adam Miller;
Jonathan L. m. Ellenora Minnich; Elenora m. Nathan Dundore; Sallie
m. Adam Heck; Jane m. James Conrad; Amelia died unmarried; Caroline
died young.
(VI) William L. Klopp, son of Daniel, was born
June 15, 1831, in North Heidelberg township, where he still makes
his home. For many years he cultivated the 133-acre tract mentioned
above, but since 1888 he has been retired from active work. In
politics he has been a Republican, and has been prominent in
township matters, serving as supervisor and school director. Until
1897 he was a member of the old Northkill Church, but since that
date he has been a member of the St. Thomas Reformed Church of
Bernville. He now makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Fox, of
Mount Zion, Lebanon Co., Pa. Mr. Klopp was twice married. By his
first wife, Isabella Brights, he had eleven children: Morgan B. (m.
Annie C. Potteiger), Calvin (deceased), Henry (died young), Emma R.
(m. Frank Fox), Ida I. (m. John Wagner), Isabella and William,
twins (died in infancy), Margaret (died young), Irwin D. (m.
Rosanna Heckler), Edwin J. (m. Lizzie C. Gruber) and Sallie A. (m.
Jacob Leinbach). Mr. Klopp's second marriage was to Sarah Mosser,
daughter of Benneville Mosser, and to this union came one child,
Elenora J., who died at the age of twelve years.
(VII) Morgan B. Klopp, son of William L., was born in North
Heidelberg township, Oct. 13, 1854, and worked on his father's farm
until he was twenty-three years old. He then went to Lockhaven
Seminary where he took up the study of music. After one year there
he suffered from a severe attack of rheumatism, which prevented him
continuing his studies. On Feb. 7, 1880, he married Annie Catharine
Potteiger, daughter of William N. Potteiger, of Jefferson township.
In that same year he was elected organist of the North Heidelberg
church, and moved with his family into the Church property. In 1882
he also accepted the position of organist of Host Church, for three
years, and then resigned to devote more time to the instruction of
private lessons on piano or organ, to fifty or more pupils at that
time, but later his pupils numbered eighty. In 1881 he organized
Klopp's Cornet Band of North Heidelberg. In 1888 he was elected
organist and choir master of Zion's Lutheran and Reformed Church of
Womelsdorf, and moved his family to that town to live in the house
furnished by the church, and there he resided until his death.
While at Womelsdorf he also accepted the position of organist of
the Tulpehocken Reformed Church, in Lebanon county, and was able to
hold three Churches with the assistance of his son Eugene (born
Nov. 8, 1880, who at the age of sixteen years, was able to fill his
father's position). From this time he was organist of a fourth
church, namely, St. Elias Lutheran and Reformed Church of
Newmanstown, Lebanon Co., Pa., and a short time afterward, he
became organist and choir director of St. Daniel's (Corner)
Lutheran and Reformed Church, of Robesonia. These five positions he
filled for two years with his son's assistance, and then resigned
from St. Elias' Church, to accept in its stead the St. Paul's
Reformed Church, which had separated from St. Daniel's (Corner)
Church. He continued in active work up to his death, which was
caused by apoplexy, while engaged in his official work in the North
Heidelberg Church, April 28, 1908. He died July 4, 1908, at Klopp
& Kalbach's residence whither he had been conveyed from the
church.
Before his marriage, he was a public school
teacher of Eyrich's school, Klopp's school of North Heidelberg, and
two years in the Bernville Schools.
With his music pupils scattered over a large
area, and five congregations he was also elected leader of
Minnehaha Band of Womelsdorf, a position he held several years, and
also instructor of the Mt. Pleasant Band, and of Mt. Zion Band of
Lebanon county. For five terms he was a school director in
Womelsdorf, and was treasurer of the Board the last four terms.
Fraternally he was a member of Golden Rule Lodge, No. 159, I. O. O.
F.; and of the O. U. A. M., both of Womelsdorf.
To Mr. Klopp and his wife were born children as
follows: Eugene P., born Nov. 8, 1880, lives at Robesonia; Laura
P., born Feb. 9, 1883, lives at Womelsdorf; W. Raymond, born Nov.
22, 1886, lives at Philadelphia; and J. Harold, born Oct. 9, 1895,
lives at Womelsdorf.
(VIII) Irwin D. Klopp, son of William L., was born in North
Heidelberg township Jan. 28, 1861, and passed his boyhood days
under the parental roof, attending the district schools until he
was eighteen years of age. He began farming the Host Church
property for his brother Morgan B., who was chorister of the
church, in 1885, and three years later began the operation of his
father's property, continuing there for fifteen years. In 1907 he
retired from farming and moved to West Reading, where he is the
efficient highway commissioner. For four years before his
retirement he was in Lower Heidelberg township, where he was
engaged in the cultivation of the farm of John H. Evans. In
politics he is a Republican. He and his family are Reformed members
of St. Thomas's Church of Bernville, in which for two years he was
deacon. In the burying ground of this church rest the remains of
many of the Klopp family. Mr. Klopp is a member of Golden Rule
Lodge, No. 59, I. O. O. F., of Womelsdorf.
On Aug. 26, 1882, Mr. Klopp m. Rosanna Hechler,
born March 2, 1863, daughter of Amos and Elizabeth (Kissling)
Hechler, the former of whom, a carpenter by trade, conducted a
sawmill for the last ten years of his life. Five children were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Klopp: Minnie E. (m. Charles C. Lamm, a grocer at
West Reading, and has one child, Helen May); Sallie I., and Harry
I., at home; and William D. and Ellen May, who died young.
(VII) Edwin J. Klopp, son of William L., was born in North
Heidelberg township, April 29, 1863, and was reared upon the home
farm, working for his father until he was twenty years old. He then
moved to Wernersville, where he became assistant station agent,
having previously learned telegraphy at Oberlin, Ohio. He remained
in the service of the company at Wernersville for five years, and
for the same company was brakeman on a passenger train running
between Philadelphia and Pottsville for another five years. In 1893
he became a conductor on the Mt. Penn Gravity Road, remaining one
year, and then was in the employ of the United Traction Company of
Reading for seven years. For three years he was employed by the
city, at the disposal plant. In the spring of 1905 Mr. Klopp was
appointed by a Democratic city engineer, Elmer H. Beard, as a clerk
in the sewer department. Mr. Klopp is himself a strong Republican,
his appointment being made solely on his merits. On May 1, 1908, he
was appointed by the Hon. William Rick, mayor, a policeman of
Reading, which position he holds at the present time. He is an
excellent penman, and has some fine pen drawings made when he was
twenty-one years old. These he has framed, and has exhibited them
at fairs, where he has received a number of premiums. He and his
family are members of the Reformed Church, and he has been active
in church and Sunday-school work for a number of years.
On Oct. 31, 1885, Mr. Klopp m. Lizzie C. Gruber,
daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Strunk) Gruber, and they have one son,
William G. They reside in a comfortable residence at No. 952 North
Ninth street, Reading. Mrs. Klopp is an expert in designing
artistic gowns.
p. 1489
Surnames: KLUSEWITZ, PLUSKIESKA, BLUSKEWITZ, BLIASKEWISK, GARST,
NURNBURG, KALMUND
Lawrence M. Klusewitz, who follows the carpenter's trade at
Reading, was born Oct. 11, 1857, in Prussia, Germany, a son of
Michael and Mary (Pluskieska) Klusewitz.
Michael Klusewitz was born Sept. 6, 1829, in
Prussia, where he attended school until he was fourteen years of
age and then engaged in farm work. In 1872, he came to America and
located at Reading, which has been his home until the present, and
is living with his son, John Klusewitz. He was in the employ of the
Reading Railway Co., for many years. He was married three times,
(first) to Mary Pluskieska, (second) to Mary Bluskewitz, (third) to
Annie Bliaskewisk. The children born to his first marriage were:
John; Lawrence; Joseph, who has been on the Reading police force
since 1902; and Julia. To his second union were born Annie and
Frank, and to his third were born: Anthony, Thomas, Celia and
Benjamin, the latter of whom is a soldier in the U. S. Army.
Lawrence M. Klusewitz was fifteen years of age
when his parents came to America and settled at Reading, where he
attended the public schools until he was eighteen. In 1876 he
learned the carpenter trade with George M. Garst, of Reading, and
his first work was on the present Junior Fire company house on
Walnut street. He has worked continuously as a journeyman,
sometimes at Reading and through Berks, Schuylkill, Montgomery and
Philadelphia Counties.
In 1885, Mr. Klusewitz was married to Theresa
Nurnburg, daughter of Peter and Gertrude (Kalmund) Nurnburg, of the
Rhine Province. Mr. and Mrs. Klusewitz had eight children, namely:
Mary, Joseph, Peter, Joseph (2) deceased, Leonard, Gertrude, Joseph
(3) deceased, and Helena. Mr. Klusewitz was bereft of his wife, who
died Aug. 17, 1901, aged thirty-nine years, she having been born
July 19, 1862. He is a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church, and of
the Holy Cross Association. He is identified with the Carpenters'
Union. His comfortable home is located at No. 705 Dick street.
p.
1200
Surnames: KLUSEWITZ, KATMUND, ADAMS, SMEAGY, KLAES
Matthias Klusewitz, a well known citizen of Reading, Pa., died at
his residence No. 25 South Tenth street, July 16, 1906. He was born
in the vicinity of Graudenz, Germany, a town which was originally a
hamlet in Poland, but owing to the wars that frequently ensued, in
a series of rebellions, was ceded to Germany. In these struggles,
however, Mr. Klusewitz at no time took part.
At the age of fifteen years Mr. Klusewitz left
home, going to Graudenz, where he learned the trade of
blacksmithing, and found employment in Barmen, a German town. Here
he remained for a few years, after which he traveled from one town
to another through Europe. Thinking that possibly he might better
his fortune in America, he accordingly set sail with his wife in
1848, and arrived in Philadelphia, from which city, after several
years, he came to Reading. He was the pioneer Polander in this
city, and was the first man to obtain employment for a fellow
countryman at the Reading Pipe Mills. Upon his arrival in Reading
he started in business at Seventh and Cherry streets, and then
opened a shop at Canal and Bingaman streets, where he continued one
year, when he accepted a position at the Scott Works. Following
this he became a foreman at the forge of the Philadelphia &
Reading shops, his work being the making of springs for the cars,
and he also had charge over the boilermaking department.
Subsequently Mr. Klusewitz engaged in the real estate business, in
which he was quite successful.
Mr. Klusewitz was a man of considerable means.
He was an active church worker. When he came to Reading he joined
St. Peter's Catholic Church, later St. Paul's and lastly St. Mary's
Polish Catholic Church, of which he was one of the founders. He was
patriotic, and assisted those who came from his native land.
Mr. Klusewitz was married (first) to Catharine
Katmund, born at Gaennersdorf, Rhein-Preussen, Germany, but there
were no children born to this union, and he and his wife adopted
and reared: Lawrence; Elizabeth; Edward; Kate and Henry Adams;
Josephine Smeagy and Anna. Mr. Klusewitz m. (second) Elizabeth
Klaes, daughter of John Joseph Klaes, who came to America Nov. 11,
1881, from Germany. She located in Reading, where she married Mr.
Klusewitz Feb. 14, 1886, at St. Paul's Catholic Church, and they
became the parents of these children: Matthew A., attending
Stoner's Business College; Peter G., at the same college; Martha
Elizabeth, attending boarding school; Andrew J. F., attending
school; and Matthias, Margaret and Michael, deceased. Mrs.
Klusewitz resides at the Tenth street home. She has in her
possession, and greatly values, an old family book, brought from
Germany, which is 360 years old, it having been printed by one of
the first printing-presses at Strassburg, Germany.
p. 856
Surnames: KNABB, YODER, OYSTER, SELTZER, DE TURK, SHENKEL,
ARMPRIESTER, CLEAVER, BUSH, WILSON, CLARK, HIMMELBERGER, DERR,
ESPENSHADE, MARCH, HOOK, MOCK, HERFLICKER, HARRISON
Daniel Yoder Knabb, who died in 1887, was born in 1804, the eldest
son of Jacob and Hannah (Yoder) Knabb, the latter the daughter of
Daniel and Margaret (Oyster) Yoder.
The Knabb family was founded in America by
Michael Knabb, who was born at Pfeldesheim, Bavaria, April 17,
1717, and emigrated to America in 1737, with two brothers, John and
Peter, the former of whom died single in the forty-eighth year of
his age, while the latter died when seventy-four years old, having
many descendants in Berks county. Michael Knabb m. Eva Magdalena
Seltzer, only child of Jacob and Elizabeth Seltzer, of Heidelberg
township. They became the parents of the following children:
Nicholas, Peter, Jacob, Daniel, Susan, Sarah, Catherine and Mary.
Michael Knabb died June 17, 1778, and he and his brothers are
buried in the family burying ground in Oley township.
Jacob Knabb, the third son of Michael, was born
in Oley township in 1771. In 1800 he married Hannah Yoder, daughter
of Daniel and Margaret (Oyster) Yoder. They moved to Union
township, on the property now owned and occupied by Morris De Turk.
He died in February, 1825, and his wife in August, 1824. Their
children were: Daniel Y.; George, born in 1807; Margaret, in 1810;
Catherine, in 1812; Hannah, in 1814; and Jacob, in 1817.
The Yoders are descended from John Yoder, who
settled in Oley township in 1720, having emigrated from Switzerland
with his wife and six children. John Yoder, Jr., son of John,
married a Shenkel, and among their children were: Daniel; and
Jacob, who moved to Ohio, and was the first person to go down the
Ohio and Mississippi rivers in a flat boat.
Daniel Yoder, son of John, Jr., married Margaret
Oyster, and their children were: Hannah m. Jacob Knabb; Daniel;
Martin; Catherine; Mary; John; Margaret; and David.
Daniel Yoder Knabb was married in 1855 to
Malinda C. Armpriester, who was born July 22, 1827, daughter of
Samuel and Anna (Cleaver) Armpriester, granddaughter of Jonathan
Armpriester, and great-granddaughter of Matthias Armpriester. The
Armpriesters are all buried at Amityville.
The children born to Daniel Y. and Malinda C.
Knabb were as follows: (1) Franklin B., born March 9, 1857, married
Miss Catherine Bush, who died Aug. 24, 1897, and is buried at
Birdsboro. They had children: Arthur L. m. Rachael Wilson, and has
a daughter, Dorothy E.; Clara m. George W. Clark, and has three
children, Dorothy, Hilda and Robert. (2) David Y., born April 27,
1858, m. Emma Himmelberger, and has one daughter, Lydia. (3) Ida
A., born Dec. 30, 1859, died Sept. 18, 1862. (4) Catherine D., born
Feb. 6, 1861, died July 24, 1879. (5) Ella R., born Nov. 24, 1862,
m. D. B. Derr, has two children, Mabel and Raymond, and resides in
Reading. (6) Howard M., born Jan. 19, 1864, m. Annie Espenshade,
and has one daughter, Marguerite. (7) Anna, born May 2, 1865, m.
Irvin L. March, and has one son, Paul. (8) Malinda A., born June
15, 1866, m. G. Washington Hook, and has four children, Dora, Lee,
Gail and Martha. (9) Sarah K., born in 1867, lives with her mother.
(10) Lillian M., born Jan. 24, 1869, m. William Mock, and has two
sons, Frank and Howard. (11) Louisa A., born Dec. 7, 1870, m.
Charles Herflicker, and has three children, William, Leanna and
Marguerite.
Although Mrs. Knabb has passed her eightieth
birthday, her memory is remarkable, and she takes a great interest
in all that is transpiring, being a great reader. Her beautiful
home is situated on the public road leading from Birdsboro to
Monocacy. This was the property of Daniel Harrison, and was
purchased by Mr. Knabb in 1867. Mrs. Knabb is one of the township's
most venerable ladies, and is esteemed and beloved by all who know
her.
p. 568
Surnames: KNABB, YODER, SELTZER, GETZ, ANDREWS, JAMESON, WORMAN
Jacob Knabb, in whose death, which occurred Jan. 30, 1889, at his
home in Reading, this city and section lost a man of more than
ordinary distinction, was born in Union township, Berks county,
Aug. 21, 1817, son of Jacob, Sr., and Hannah (Yoder) Knabb, and
grandson of Michael and Eve Magdalena (Seltzer) Knabb.
Michael Knabb, the grandfather, was a native of
Bavaria, born at Pfeldersheim, in the Pfalz, April 17, 1717. About
1737, in company with his two brothers, John and Peter, he came to
America, and settled near the Exeter township line, in Oley
township, Berks county, Pa., on the farm now occupied by Samuel B.
Knabb. The old house was burned in 1816-17, and the same year the
present house was erected. A family cemetery on the farm contains
the remains of the three brothers and many of their descendants.
John died in the forty-eighth year of his age, unmarried, but Peter
lived to his seventy-fourth year and left a numerous progeny.
Michael Knabb married, on March 11, 1755, Eve Magdalena Seltzer,
only child of Jacob and Elizabeth Seltzer, of Heidelberg township,
and they became the parents of eight children: Nicholas, Peter,
Jacob, Daniel, Susan, Sarah, Catharine and Mary. Michael Knabb died
June 17, 1778, in the sixty-second year of his age, and was laid to
rest in the family cemetery above mentioned.
Jacob Knabb, son of Michael, was born in Oley
township in 1771. Soon after his marriage, in 1800, he moved to
Union township, where he prospered as a farmer. He died in
February, 1825. In 1800 he married Hannah Yoder, daughter of John
Yoder, and a descendant of John (Hansel) Yoder, a Huguenot, who on
account of religious persecution emigrated from Switzerland in the
early part of the eighteenth century, and went first to England,
thence coming to America and locating early in Oley township, Berks
county. From John (Hansel) Yoder, Mrs. Knabb's descent is through
John (2) and Daniel. To Jacob and Hannah (Yoder) Knabb were born
six children: Daniel, George, Jacob, Margaret, Catharine and
Hannah. The mother died in August, 1824.
Jacob Knabb,
son of Jacob, and the subject of this sketch, was but seven years
old when his parents died. Until he was about eleven he attended
the pay schools of the township, making his home with an elder
sister. He apprenticed himself to learn the printer's trade under
George Getz, of the Berks and Schuylkill Journal, and remained
there until Mr. Getz sold the paper. By this time Mr. Knabb
realized the benefit of an education, and he set about remedying
his deficiency in that line, studying for one year in the Lititz
school, and for another year in Lafayette College. From the time he
left college until 1840 he was engaged in printing in Reading, and
in Harrisburg. In the latter city he worked on the Harrisburg
Telegraph, where the State printing was done, and he held the
position of foreman for a time. In 1840, with Mr. J. Lawrence Getz,
he began the publication of a weekly paper, the Reading Gazette,
but in 1843 he sold his share, and the next year found him in
Harrisburg, publishing the Clay Bugle, a campaign paper. In 1845 he
came back to Reading, and became the editor of the Berks and
Schuylkill Journal, some time later becoming also its proprietor.
This he continued for about forty-five years. In 1866 he associated
two partners with himself, and the firm became J. Knabb & Co.
Three years later (1869) they purchased the Reading Daily Times,
and some years afterward the Evening Dispatch, and the two papers
were consolidated under the name of Reading Times and Dispatch, and
published daily and weekly. Prosperity attended the venture, and in
1881 Mr. Knabb erected the substantial four-story brick building,
which became the paper's home.
Mr. Knabb's mature life was devoted to the
interests of Reading, and he was particularly prominent in all
public movements which contributed to the spread of education. The
Reading Library received his assistance for many years, and for
many years he was its president, up to the time of his death.
During the Civil war he responded to the call for emergency militia
in 1863, and after the battle of Gettysburg he served in Maryland
as a member of Company C, 42d P. V. I.
Mr. Knabb case his first vote in support of the
Whig party, and when the Republican party was formed he became one
of its active supporters, acting for some years as chairman of the
county Republican committee. In 1860 he was a delegate to the
Chicago Convention from the Berks district, which nominated Abraham
Lincoln for President. He was postmaster of Reading under that
administration, and in 1876 he was Presidential elector from this
Congressional district and cast his ballot for President Hayes. He
was prominent and influential in party politics for a quarter of a
century.
In 1878 Mr. Knabb, with a friend as a companion,
made an extended tour through Europe, and his letters, published
from time to time in his paper, were so full of interest that he
was urged to publish them in book form, but with his natural
modesty he declined. In 1856 he published the first directory of
Reading.
Mr. Knabb was twice married. In 1846 he
married Ellen C. Andrews, daughter of Machiavel Andrews. During the
Civil war she was active in caring for soldiers in the local
hospital, and was in charge of one of the departments of the
Sanitary Fair, at Philadelphia. She was a member of Christ
Episcopal Church, and was a great friend of the poor and needy. Her
death in 1875 was universally regretted. In 1879 Mr. Knabb married
(second) Ellen M. Jameson, daughter of James and Mary (Worman)
Jameson, the former a well-known and successful merchant at
Reading. Mr. Knabb early became a communicant of the Episcopal
Church, and served as vestrymen many years. He held the confidence
and goodwill of all.
p. 1312
Surnames: KNABB, SELTZER, HERBEIN, BEIDLER, ZACHARIAS, BIEBER,
KNAUSS, RHODES, HERTZOG, SCHAEFFER, RITTER, HARTMAN, SCHMECK,
STECKEL, SNYDER, ANGSTADT, REIFF, KECK
Peter H. Knabb, poor director of Berks county and a very well-known
teacher, is engaged in farming in Oley township, where he was born
Nov. 15, 1867, a member of an old and numerous family of Berks
county.
The Knabb family was planted in Berks county by
three brothers, Michael, John and Peter Knabb, who were born in
Pfeldersheim, in Pfalz, Bavaria (which formerly belonged to France,
but was restored to Bavaria in 1813). They emigrated to this
country about 1737, and so far as is known, are so far as is known,
are the only members of the family to have emigrated from the
eastern to the western hemisphere. Michael (born April 17, 1717)
settled in Oley township, on the farm now occupied by Samuel B.
Knabb, near the Exeter line. The old house was destroyed by fire in
the winter of 1816-1817, and the present house was erected the
following summer. A family graveyard near the dwelling contains the
remains of the three brothers and a number of their descendants.
John died unmarried in the forty-eighth year of his age; Peter died
in the seventy-fourth year of his age, and most of his descendants
live in Berks county; Michael, who married Eva Magdalena Seltzer,
died June 17, 1778.
Peter Knabb, son of Peter, the emigrant, and
great-grandfather of Peter H., was a farmer in Oley township, and
built his home in 1806. He was a member of Spies's Church. The
records show he must have been prominent in public affairs, and he
was a county commissioner from 1819 to 1822. He married Sarah
Herbein, and their children were: William; Nathan, of Oley
township, whose children were -- Susan, Rebecca, Jacob, Emma
(Beidler) and Amanda; and Sarah, who married Daniel Zacharias, of
Muhlenberg township.
William Knabb, son of Peter, was a farmer in
Oley township, and on his fine home farm there he erected a
substantial barn in 1866. He was a large landowner, owning four
fine farms and the mill property now owned by John Bieber,
consisting of five hundred acres at the time of his death. He was
one of the substantial men of his township, and was very prominent
in the affairs of the county. From 1849 to 1852 he served as poor
director, and from 1855 to 1858 as county commissioner. He died in
1867, aged sixty-six years and was buried in the Knabb family plot
at Spies's Church Cemetery Company, and was its first president,
being succeeded by his son Peter H. He married Margaret Knauss, and
they became the parents of eight children: Mary Ann, who married
Samuel Rhodes, of Amity township; Hannah, who married Jacob D.
Hertzog, of Exeter township; Charles, who is prominent in business
and politics in Hiawatha, Kansas; Albert, of Reading; Mahlon;
Emeline, who married Jacob Schaeffer, of Exeter township; Harriet,
who married John Ritter, of Exeter township; and Augustus, of
Reading.
Mahlon Knabb, son of William, and a life-long
farmer of Oley, was born May 27, 1841, and he died Dec. 20, 1902,
aged sixty-one years, six months, twenty-three days, and is buried
at Spies's Church. He was the owner of a large farm of 184 acres of
the best land in Oley Valley, one of the original Knabb homesteads.
The house was built in 1806 by Peter Knabb. The old part of the
house is of log, and was built long before the American Revolution.
The present barn was built in 1855. In politics, Mr. Knabb is a
Democrat, and he served his fellow citizens very efficiently as
auditor and as school director in Oley. He married Sarah Hartman,
daughter of Peter and Esther (Schmeck) Hartman, of Alsace
township. Mrs. Knabb still lives on the
homestead. She has the old family Bible, and is also the owner of
Peter Knabb's clock. To Mahlon and Sarah Knabb were born children
as follows: Margaret, wife of John D. Bieber, Oley; William, a
farmer of Exeter township; Peter H.; Mahlon H., of Oley township;
Sallie, who married Edward Steckel, of South Bethlehem, Pa.;
Lucetta, who married A. H. Snyder, of Oley township; Edward H., of
Exeter township; Warren, of Los Angeles, Cal.; Ellen, who married
Robert Angstadt, of Blandon, Pa.; and Miss Clara, who resides with
her mother.
Peter H. Knabb, son of Mahlon, was reared to
farming, and he obtained his intellectual training at home and in
the public schools of Oley, Oley Academy and the Keystone State
Normal School. When but fifteen years of age he began teaching in
Pike township, and in 1884 was at Lobachsville, same township.
Since then he has taught each term in his home township, eight
terms at Wiest's school, seventeen at Kiefer's.
He was licensed to teach by Prof. D. S. Keck,
and was awarded a professional certificate in 1889 by him, and in
1890 he passed the examination of the State Board, obtaining a
permanent certificate. He is one of the most successful instructors
in the county and is keenly alive to the needs of the public
schools. He is active in the work of the annual teachers
institutes, and is tireless in his efforts to benefit the schools.
Fraternally, Mr. Knabb is a member of Washington
Camp No. 221, P. O. S. of A., at Oley Line; Griesemersville Lodge,
No. 1109, I. O. O. F.; and the K. G. E., No. 119, at Oley. He and
his family are members of Spies's Reformed Church, and he is, as
stated before, president of the Cemetery Company. Mr. Knabb is a
Democrat, and has long been active in his work for the welfare of
his chosen party. Since 1892 he has been tax assessor of Oley
township. For several years he served the township as committeeman;
and in the fall of 1906 was elected poor director of the county,
and is now filling that responsible office. He resides on a farm of
ten acres in Oley, on the road leading from Friedensburg to Yellow
House.
On Aug. 15, 1891, Mr. Knabb was married to
Amanda Hartman, daughter of Jeremiah and Rebecca (Reiff) Hartman,
of Oley township, and their children are: Minnie, Sarah, Verna,
Gertie, Edna, Alfred Peter, Olivia, Carrie and Beulah.
p. 773
Surnames: KNAPP, SAUER, KLUMP, MERKEL, SPOOER, HERMAN, REISINGER,
BARKERT, MILLER, SMITH, BURKHART
George Knapp, who died May 20, 1904, was for many years a highly
esteemed resident of Reading, Pa., and for a long period an employe
of the Philadelphia & Reading car shops in that city. He was
born in Reading in 1847, son of George Knapp, Sr., a resident of
Reading, and a native of Germany.
George Knapp, Sr., was a stone cutter by trade
and a skilled mechanic. He died at his home, No. 913 Buttonwood
street, leaving these children: Margaret, m. to John Sauer, who is
engaged in die shoe business on North Ninth street, Reading;
Barbara, m. to William Klump; John; Rosa, m. to Frederick Merkel, a
boss in the polishing department of the shops of the Philadelphia
& Reading railroad; Katie, m. to Henry Spooer; and George.
George Knapp received his educational training
in the schools of Reading, and when a young man learned the
shoemaking trade with John Herman at Ninth and Penn streets. After
following that trade for a period of fourteen years he entered the
employ of the Philadelphia & Reading shops, and was working in
the bolt drilling department when he became paralyzed in his right
leg, during the cyclone which destroyed the shops in 1889. From
that time until his death Mr. Knapp lived retired.
Mr. Knapp married Miss Mary Reisinger, daughter
of Wolfgang and Mary Reisinger, natives of Germany. Mr. Reisinger,
who for a number of years was employed as a watchman at the Scott
works, Reading, died at the age of seventy.seven years, three
months. Mr. and Mrs, Knapp had the following children: Miss Maggie
is at home; Rosa m. Peter Barkert, and has children- Mary, Charles,
Loretta, Margaret, Jane and Naomi; Martha m. John Miller, a farmer
near Blandon, and has five children. Ethel, Joseph, George, Helen
and Bernert; Albert, a foreman in the machine department of the
shops, m. Minnie Smith, and has one daughter, Dorothy; and
Elizabeth m. William F. Burkhart, who is engaged in the ice
business at No. 939 Moss street, and has one daughter, Irene. Mr.
Knapp, was a stanch Democrat in political matters and served on the
election board of the Ninth ward. He was a faithful member of St.
Paul's. Catholic Church, and is a member of the two lodges
connected therewith. He was also identified with the Philadelphia
& Reading Relief Association and with the Rainbow Fire Company.
He was well known in his community, where he had hosts of friends.
Mrs. Knapp, who survives her husband, resides at No. 353 Moss
street.
p. 1543
Surnames: KNETZ, BINDER, BOYER, SCHELL, RUTH, TREXLER, TREICHLER,
MOLL, MILLER, LANDIS, STAUFFER, BEIDLER, SHARP
John Knetz, in his lifetime a farmer of Hereford township, Berks
county, whose widow lived at Huff's Church, until her recent death,
was born April 4, 1815, and died Nov. 4, 1879. He was a grandson of
Conrad Knetz, who lived near the Berks county line in Montgomery
county. He built up the property now known as Lesher's Mill, but
which was long known as Knetz's Mill and was in the family name for
many years. Conrad Knetz was born Jan. 6, 1742, and died Oct. 13,
1822, aged eighty years, nine months, seven days. His wife
Catharine, daughter of Moses and Ann Binder, was born May 22, 1751,
and died Feb. 5, 1828, aged seventy-six years, eight months,
thirteen days; both are buried at New Goshenhoppen Church.
Henry Knetz, father of John, was born May 9,
1778, in Hereford township, on the old homestead at Clayton, and
followed farming, owning a tract of about 150 acres. The Swiss barn
on this place, built during the early fifties, is 110 feet long,
and is the longest barn in the township. He married Maria Boyer,
born Aug. 19, 1780, who died June 7, 1864, aged eighty-three years,
nine months, eighteen days, surviving her husband a number of
years. He died May 10, 1847, aged sixty-nine years, one day. They
are buried at Huff's Church, of which they were Lutheran members.
Their children were: John is mentioned in full below. David,
deceased, lived in Upper Hanover township, Montgomery county, on
the property now known as "Lesher's Mill." George, born Dec. 20,
1806, died May 20, 1842, was a farmer in Hereford township, his
land being bounded by the lands of Daniel Schell, John Ruth and
Henry Knetz; he made his last will and testament, recorded in Will
book 8, page 422, on the day of his death, and it contains the
following item: "I do nominate and appoint my father Henry Knetz to
be guardian of my daughter Matilda"; to this daughter he gave a
170-acre farm, his brother John received the sum of $300, and he
left a bequest to his faithful servant, Sophia Trexler. Sally,
deceased, married Samuel Treichler, who was a merchant at
Treichlersville, which place was named for him.
John Knetz was born in Hereford township, where
he followed farming and droving all his life, dying upon his farm
at Chapel Nov. 4, 1879, when sixty-four years, seven months old. He
owned the farm which is now the property of his daughter Mrs. Maria
Landis. In 1860 he erected a set of buildings on the tract of land
now occupied by Reuben Beidler, on the Clayton and Treichlersville
turnpike, and it was there that he died.
Mr. Knetz married Abigail Moll, who was born
Dec. 17, 1817, daughter of George and Eve (Miller) Moll, from near
Huff's Church, their family consisting of eight children, four sons
and four daughters: Jonas, Thomas, Jacob, George, Judith, Abigail,
Betzy and Sally. To Mr. and Mrs. Knetz were born four children,
namely: Maria is the widow of Martin M. Landis and lives at Clayton
on the old homestead; Jacob lives at East Greenville, Pa.; Betsy
married Andrew Stauffer, and is deceased; Sarah married Reuben
Beidler, and they live at Clayton.
From 1895 Mrs. Abigail Knetz, widow of John
Knetz, made her home at Huff's Church. Though past eighty years old
she could see well, using no glasses, was able to sew, and attended
church faithfully. She was particularly fond of reading the
Scriptures, and had read the Bible through forty-one times, by
actual count. Mrs. Knetz had a number of valuable relics which she
prized highly, including old dishes and an old grandfather's clock,
which later belonged to the Sharp family of Hereford and is more
than 150 years old. She died Sept. 25, 1909.
p.
972
Surnames: KNITTLE, SNYDER, ADAM, STRASSER, CONRAD, LENHART, SEIDEL,
DIETRICH, REINHART, WALBERT, HELBERT, SPRENGER, ROHN, ANGSTADT,
HOCH, KLINE, WILTRANT, MOYER, BIEBER, SARIG, SASSAMAN, KOLLER,
WENTZEL, DIETRICH, GRAVER, MILLER
Jonathan S. Knittle, a prosperous farmer residing near Kutztown,
Pa., in Maxatawny township, was born Aug. 9, 1866, in Greenwich
township, Berks Co., Pa., son of Daniel and Anna (Snyder) Knittle,
and grandson of Benjamin Knittle.
To trace the Knittle family in Pennsylvania
carried the investigator a long distance back. The only one of the
name of Knittle recorded in the Pennsylvania archives up to
September 17, 1753, was Joseph Knittle, who came to America on the
ship "Patience", which landed him at Philadelphia.
Michael Knittle, probably a son of Joseph, was a
resident of Richmond township, Berks county. He made his will May
9, 1789, which was entered June 13 of the same year. It is evident
that he died between these two dates. His sons, Michael and Daniel,
were the executors. His children are given as follows: Frederick,
John Adam, Michael, Daniel, Rosina and Catherine. John Adam was a
resident in Richmond township in 1785 and that year paid 18 s., 9
d. tax. In 1758 Michael Knittle was a resident in Maxatawny
township, and in that year he paid 1, 1s. 6d. tax. In 1775 he is
registered as taxable in Richmond township, when he paid 5 tax. In
1815 Michael Knittle, Jr. was a taxpayer in Richmond township,
paying 44s tax.
Benjamin Knittle, grandfather of Jonathan S.,
was a farmer in Greenwich township, owning forty acres of land, on
which he died in 1895, aged over seventy-two years. He was a
life-long tiller of the soil. His wife was named Polly Adam and
they were members of the Grimville Church, where both are buried.
They had the following children: Daniel; Benjamin, whose children
were Emeline, Ella, Florenda and Isaac; Hannah, m. to Isaac
Strasser; Catherine, m. to Peter Adam; Rebecca, m. to Methusalah
Conrad; and Polly, m. to John Lenhart.
Daniel Knittle, father of Jonathan S., was born
in Greenwich township, Berks Co., Pa., Dec. 24, 1818, and died May
26, 1884, aged sixty-seven years. Until his marriage he remained
under the parental roof and then purchased the farm which is now
the property of John Seidel, and there some of his children were
born. That tract contained twelve acres. He was a boss carpenter
and had two gangs of carpenters in his employ, who erected barns
through Upper Berks county, probably 100 of these substantial
structures. He kept from eight to fifteen men employed and
instructed many in the carpenter's trade. He was a skillful
mechanic and physically was a very strong man, capable of long
hours of hard work. Foe twelve years he lived on the farm now owned
by Alfred Dietrich, and there his death took place. In politics he
was a stanch Democrat and for many years he served local offices,
being useful as a school director and efficient as supervisor of
Greenwich township. In religious faith he was a Lutheran and
belonged to the Grimville Church, of which he was an official
member. He was buried there at the side of his parents. He married
Anna Snyder who still survives and makes her home in the families
of her children. She was born Dec. 11, 1827, daughter of Harry and
Polly (Reinhart) Snyder, of Dunkle's Church. Daniel Knittle and
wife had fourteen children, as follows: Maria, deceased, m. James
Walbert; Susanna is the widow of Oliver Helbert; Abbie, deceased,
m. Daniel Sprenger, of Kutztown; Hettie is unmarried; Kate, m.
William Rohn, of Greenwich township; William follows the carpenter
trade at Kutztown; Daniel is a farmer in Maxatawny township;
Benjamin is a carpenter at Allentown; Lucy m. Clinton Angstadt, of
Richmond township; Lizzie m. Frank Rohn, of Kutztown; Jonathan S.;
Amelia m. Morris Hoch of Wyomissing; Alice m. Daniel Kline, of
Kutztown; and Lydia m. Peter Wiltrant, of Richmond.
Jonathan S. Knittle attended the public schools,
the last one at Grimville, after which he seriously took up farming
and has continued in the same line all his life. He lived from 1892
until 1894 on Willoughby Graver's farm in Greenwich township, and
then moved to John Miller's farm in Maxatawny township, not far
from Monterey, where he remained three years, when the place was
sold. In 1897 he settled on the S. R. Moyer farm, which he
continued to operate for eleven years. On that farm is a stone
house which was built in 1770, and is of historic interest not only
on account of its age and preservation, but for the fact that
during the Revolutionary War, on one occasion, general Washington
and wife stopped over night under its roof. A hotel was conducted
there until about 1840. In the spring of 1908, Mr. Knittle moved to
his present place. This is the old Bieber farm and is now the
property of Dr. U. S. G. Bieber. It consists of ninety acres and
has been in the Bieber family for 100 years. On this property is an
old oak tree, whose trunk measures thirty-two feet in
circumference, and whose branches spread ninety-nine feet. Under it
once stood George Washington and part of his army. Mr. Knittle is a
modern, up-to-date farmer. He has fine stock and all kinds of
improved farm machinery, including a hay loader, and he utilizes
two gasoline engines. He keeps seven head of horses and twelve head
of cattle. In addition to attending to his farming operations he
has been agent for a considerable time for the Springfield and
Domestic gas engines and also handles farm machinery.
On June 8, 1889, Mr. Knittle married Mary S.
Sarig, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Sassaman) Sarig, of Berks
county. The parents of Mrs. Knittle had the following children:
Charles, residing at Galveston, Ind.; Amanda, wife of Martin
Koller, of Kutztown; Sarah, wife of Charles Wentzel, of Reading;
Emma, wife of Emanuel Dietrich, of Greenwich township; Mary, wife
of Jonathan S. Knittle; Ellis, residing in Kokomo, Ind.; Wilson,
residing at Topton; and Albert, residing at Kutztown. Mr. and Mrs.
Knittle have four children, namely: Eugene A., Alvin L., Stella I.
and Harry W. Mr. Knittle and family are members of the Grimville
Lutheran Church, also known as the Grimville Union Church. Mr.
Knittle has always been identified with the Democratic party, his
whole family having been of that political faith. He has
efficiently filled a number of the local offices and for six years
has served as school director and has been treasurer of the school
board. He is one of the township's reliable and representative men.
p. 1631
Surnames: KNOLL, WENRICH, DELP, MILLER, LEISS, WENTZEL, FIELD,
TROSTLE, GEISS, REICH, HORNE, DONKEL, NOLL, KLOPP, VAN REED, LEISS,
REESER, HERBEIN, REED, LEIS, KERPER, GRAEFF
Among the successful young men in Reading, who are developing
business careers, is John L. J. Knoll, a member of the wholesale
grocery firm of Delp & Co. Mr. Knoll is a native of Jefferson
township, where he was born August 5, 1867, on the homestead known
familiarly as the "Wenrich" farm.
Great-grandfather Knoll was born in Host,
German. Tradition gives him three sons, John Jacob, George and
David. He came to America in the early part of the nineteenth
century. Grandfather John Jacob married and had six children: John
L., mentioned below; Harrison, who remained single, and drifting to
the far west, died about 1893; Eva (married John Miller of
Jefferson township), and three others who died in infancy.
John L. Knoll married Amanda Wenrich, a daughter
of Paul and Salome (Leiss) Wenrich, and they had nine children as
follows: Rebecca R. (Married James Wentzel, deceased in March of
1890); James Isaac, went west in 1877 and married a western girl;
Arabella (became Mrs. Thomas Field, her husband being the son of
Elias Field, of North Heidelberg township); Ida (married Cornelius
Trostle); Miranda (married Monroe Geiss, son of Harrison Geiss, who
lived near Bernville, in Penn township); Albert, whose wife was
Kate Reich, daughter of John Reich, of Bernville, Pa.; Sallie
(married Dr. J. H. Horne, son of Charles Horne, of Heidelberg);
John J. married Susan Donkel, daughter of Aaron Donkel, of Lehigh
county, and later moved to Reading, where he died January 1, 1900;
Elmer Charles, married Maggie Noll, daughter of William Noll, of
Robesonia, who was killed on the railroad, when the daughter was
very young.
John L. Knoll, the father of this family, was a
tiller of the soil the major portion of his life, retiring from
active work in 1897, and now resides with his son Albert. During
the earlier part of his manhood, he was employed in the family of a
Mr. Reed. He assisted in the widening of the Union Canal,
furnishing stone for the construction of the different locks. Mr.
Knoll's farming operations were carried on in connection with this
work, and he had the reputation of being one of the best farmers in
the community.
John L. J. Knoll attended the public schools of
his home district, and for a time was in the Bernville high school.
The year prior to his majority, he worked for his father. In
February of 1888, he accepted a position as clerk in the store of
A. M. Klopp, of North Heidelberg. He served his connection with
that house in 1890, the year which marked his first coming to
Reading. His first business in Reading was the setting up of a
small estate for James Wentzel, a brother-in-law. In May of that
year he accepted a position with Charles L. Van Reed, who conducted
a paper business on the west side of South Fifth street, near where
the Metropolitan Electric Light Company now has its offices. He
continued in this position foe several months, and then connected
himself with the business in which he is now a leading factor.
Starting at the bottom of the ladder, he became
a teamster for G. H. Delp & Company, one of the large wholesale
(and retail) grocery houses of the city. Foe some eight years he
continued to do outside work, and then was given a position on the
inside, which position gradually merged into that of a salesman. In
July of 1905 a reorganization of the firm took place. The old firm
consisted of G. H. Delp and George W. Leiss. The new partnership
which was now formed, continued G. H. Delp as a member and added
three new ones, the names being J. L. J. Knoll, William H. Reeser,
and Edward M. Herbein. The old firm name of Delp & Company was
retained. Doing business at Nos. 12 and 14 South Eight street, the
firm immediately took on new life, and in the four years in which
it has been doing business, has shown a marked degree of success.
It is fair to say here that the change in this firm and its
subsequent success is largely due to the ability displayed by Mr.
Knoll in the years of his salesmanship. The private brands of goods
which are kept on the market by the advice and direction of Mr.
Knoll is one of the features which had added greatly to the success
of the firm. Only a wholesale business has been conducted since the
reorganization of the firm, the retail business having been taken
over by the retiring partner, who conducts it under the firm name
of George W. Leis & Company, at the old stand known as "Henry
Kerper Estate"
Although having the reputation of giving close
attention to business Mr. Knoll enjoys the social and religious
amenities of life. He is connected with the Reformed Church, being
a communicant member at North Heidelberg, where he was confirmed.
He also belongs to several of the better fraternal bodies: Isaac
Heister Lodge F. & A. M., No. 660; Progressive Lodge No. 470,
I. O. O. F., of which he is a Past Grand, and was Trustee for a
number of years; Reading Council of the Royal Arcanum, in which
latter he has filled several important offices. The wholesale firm
of which he is a member has membership with the Central
Wholesalers' Association, of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, &
Delaware Association. and also the National Wholesale Grocers'
Association.
The married life of Mr. Knoll began May 17,
1897, with his union with Margaret S. Donkle, daughter of Aaron and
Margaret (Graeff) Donkle. They have one child, Loraine Margaret,
born November 16, 1905.
p. 1070
Surnames: KNOLL, SCHEAFFER, HEMMIG, PETERS, WENRICH, HOLZMAN
J. Michael Knoll, proprietor of the Tulpehocken Hotel, a well-known
hotel in Jefferson township, Berks county, was born in that
township in 1861. His grandfather was a farmer and a blacksmith
there, and died in Jefferson township. Both he and his wife are
buried at the Host Church. Their children were Henry, Sarah, and
Michael.
Michael Knoll, father of J. Michael, was born in
Jefferson township Nov. 22, a815, and died July 19, 1896, aged
eighty years, seven months, twenty-seven days. He married Magdalena
Scheaffer, daughter of Jonathan Scheaffer, born May 14, 1822, died
Feb. 6, 1896, aged seventy-three years, eight months, twenty-two
days. Both are buried at St. Paul's Union cemetery, Schaefferstown.
Mr. Knoll learned the blacksmith's trade in his young manhood and
followed it for several years, later engaging in farming in
Jefferson township. He lived retired for a few years before his
death. Eight children were born to him and his wife: Sarah married
John Hemmig, of Reading; Adam S, is living in Jefferson township;
Emma is unmarried; Isabelle (1850-1900) m. William S. Wenrich;
Elanore m. George Peters, of Bethel township; Aaron S. born in
1845, died in 1897; J. Michael is mentioned below; George is living
at Upper Lehigh, Luzerne Co., Pa., and is head butcher for a large
coal company.
J. Michael Knoll attended the public schools,
and remained with his father until he was eighteen years old. He
learned the trade of carriage trimmer, which he followed for eight
years, in 1888 engaging in the hotel business at his present stand
in Jefferson township. His house is well known to the traveling
public and he is regarded as a reliable citizen of his community.
Mr. Knoll served six years as township assessor, to which office he
was elected by a large majority. In 1905 he was a strong candidate
for the office of county commissioner, receiving the second highest
vote. He is a strong Republican and one of the most influential
party workers in the county, being very popular among his
fellow-citizens. His church connection is with the Reformed
denomination.
Mr. Knoll married Lovina E. Holzman, daughter of
the late John S. Holzman, of Jefferson township, who served at one
time as treasurer of Berks county. Three children have been born to
this union: Nellie H.; Emma H.; and Marie H.
p. 1070
Surnames: KNOLL, SCHEAFFER, HEMMIG, PETERS, WENRICH, HOLZMAN
J. Michael Knoll, proprietor of the Tulpehocken Hotel, a well-known
hotel in Jefferson township, Berks county, was born in that
township in 1861. His grandfather was a farmer and a blacksmith
there, and died in Jefferson township. Both he and his wife are
buried at the Host Church. Their children were Henry, Sarah, and
Michael.
Michael Knoll, father of J. Michael, was born in
Jefferson township Nov. 22, a815, and died July 19, 1896, aged
eighty years, seven months, twenty-seven days. He married Magdalena
Scheaffer, daughter of Jonathan Scheaffer, born May 14, 1822, died
Feb. 6, 1896, aged seventy-three years, eight months, twenty-two
days. Both are buried at St. Paul's Union cemetery, Schaefferstown.
Mr. Knoll learned the blacksmith's trade in his young manhood and
followed it for several years, later engaging in farming in
Jefferson township. He lived retired for a few years before his
death. Eight children were born to him and his wife: Sarah married
John Hemmig, of Reading; Adam S, is living in Jefferson township;
Emma is unmarried; Isabelle (1850-1900) m. William S. Wenrich;
Elanore m. George Peters, of Bethel township; Aaron S. born in
1845, died in 1897; J. Michael is mentioned below; George is living
at Upper Lehigh, Luzerne Co., Pa., and is head butcher for a large
coal company.
J. Michael Knoll attended the public schools,
and remained with his father until he was eighteen years old. He
learned the trade of carriage trimmer, which he followed for eight
years, in 1888 engaging in the hotel business at his present stand
in Jefferson township. His house is well known to the traveling
public and he is regarded as a reliable citizen of his community.
Mr. Knoll served six years as township assessor, to which office he
was elected by a large majority. In 1905 he was a strong candidate
for the office of county commissioner, receiving the second highest
vote. He is a strong Republican and one of the most influential
party workers in the county, being very popular among his
fellow-citizens. His church connection is with the Reformed
denomination.
Mr. Knoll married Lovina E. Holzman, daughter of
the late John S. Holzman, of Jefferson township, who served at one
time as treasurer of Berks county. Three children have been born to
this union: Nellie H.; Emma H.; and Marie H.