The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-01-01
THE KNEPPER FAMILY,
History of One of the Early Families of
Garrett County.

| am satisfied there are MANY read
ers of THE REPUBLICAN who feel an
interest in the histories or sketches of
the old prominent families. | have
in late years INDUCED somewhat in
that kind of literature.
/ propose to give your many intelli-
gent readers sketch, or more prop
erly record, of the Knepper family,
mostly of Somerset county, Pa, but
some of it of Garrett county.
John Knepper, the shoemaker, was
the ancestor of the race. Born in
1853 in Eastern Pennsylvania; settled
near Berlin, Pa, in early life. His
wife was Anna NJ. Glessner, born in
1865. He died in 1917; the wife in
1S4S, aged "a years. These two early
settlers were the parents of 10 chill
dren-ten sons and three daughters.
Their births were as follows:
Elizabeth, born February 90, 1889,
wife of Jacob Houger. She died in
her 8Sth year
Catherine, born June 10, 1880 She
was the wife of Peter Hay; died at the
age of 70.
William, born January 2, 1872; died
in 1880, aged SO years. His wife was
Phebe Croford.
A. NJ. Dolly, born November 2, 1913;
wife of Henry Korns; died at the age
Of 50 years.
John, born October 13, 1896; mar
ried to E. Stahl
Jacob, born September 4, 1897. His
wife was Gratel Walker.
Lewis, born December 26, 1899; died
in March, 1888, aged IS years. His
wife was Susan Burkhart.
Peter, born March 4, 1902; died at
the age of 50.
Jonathan, born July 30, 1904; died
in 1894, aged SO years and 9 months.
His wife was Margaret Meese.
George, born December u, 1906;
was married but no account of his
life or death.
Simon, born May 3, 1909; died aged
53. His wife was Nancy Wertz
Henry, born August %, 1915; died
in Illinois, aged e. His wife was
Sally Kerns. They had number of
children.
Benjamin, born September II, 1916;
still living. His wife was Catherine
Hay. She was born October 6, 1918,
and still alive at the age of So years,
both living at Welersburg, Pa Their
happy union has reached far beyond
the golden epoch" This is certainly
an extraordinary family in many re-
spects. AT least six members have
reached ages considerably above the
octogenarian mark. Not a death in
the family till the Youngest member
had become 36 years of age.
Benjamin Knepper was the young
est of the thirteen and was and still
is a minister of the gospel of the Ger
man Reformed church. Was in the
active ministry 55 years at Wellers-
burg. He baptized 1919 persons; con-
firmed 945; married 466 couples and
OBLIGATED at 76S funerals. This is an
extraordinary record for a small cir
Gle. He still officiates in his calling
to some extent. His mind is vet
bright and clear, with a memory of
extraordinary power; his hand writ
ing round, regular and steady. Is
great bible student; knows the Holy
Scriptures by heart. His early edu-
cation was very limited-self educa-
ted and self made and well done in all
essential ways. He is man entitled
to and is respected by all who know
him and even beyond this line.
Henry Knepper was also minister
of the same church; active and zeal
GUS in the cause. For a number of
years he filled the charge at Grants
vile. The fact returns to the writer
that little over fifty years ago this
minister officiated at his marriage to
one, no more for thirteen years and
over. Henry Knepper had consid-
cradle family of children, all in the
West except Rohama, wife of Samuel
j. Beachy, one of Grantsville's oldest
and most prominent citizens.
And, finally, Jonathan Knepper de-
serves some special notice. He was
sheriff of Somerset county in the
elghteen-thirty's and in later years
associate judge in the same county.
His wife was Margaret Meese, daugh-
ter of George Meese, an ex sheriff.
She was a full cousin of your contrib
utor. Judge Knepper moved to Iowa
in his latter years where he died.
Dec. 81, 1902 JB.
Report of Flatwoods School.
The first term of the Flatwoods