Jacob Knepley

Jacob Knepley was born on March 19, 1858, the fifth son of Matthias and Mary Knepley. Jacob was reared at home and educated in Monroe Township Public Schools. He remained at home until 21 years of age and then hired himself out by the month doing farm work. On February 3, 1882, Jacob purchased the family farm from the heirs for $2200.00.

When Jacob was 28 years old, he married Christina Eberly, a daughter of Andrew Eberly, a native of Germany. The Knepleys had eight children: Anna, Herman, Charles, Harry, Walter, Harvey (died in infancy), Clarence, and Arnold. The family were members of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Flatrock Township. In political matters, Jacob generally supported the Democratic party.

Jacob died in 1921. The farm remained in the Knepley family until the death of Christina in 1948.

Anna married Dan Goon and had three children: 1. Jeanette died in childhood; 2. Lloyd married but had no children; 3. Harold married and had two children (a. Mary Ann and b. Tim); Herman married Emma Von Deylen and had six children: 1. Clayton married Betty Cordray and had two children (a. Dennis, and b. Mrs. James (Gayle) Van Order and two daughters, Beth and Amy); 2. Mildred married Paul Yekisa and had three children (a. Mrs. William (Nancy) Walborn, b. Mrs. Lynn (Sharon) Keller and daughter Lisa, and c. Roger); 3. Marciel married Erwin Michaelis and had two children (a. Douglas married Sharon Oedy and b. Gaye Ann); 4. Donna married Frederich Michaelis and had two children (a. Terry married Teresa Snyder and daughter Kelly, and b. Fred); 5. Kenneth married Alice Behnfeldt and had three children (a. Scott, b. Jon, and c. Kristi); 6. Patricia married Charles Eberly and had three children (a. Gloria, b. Steve, and c. Marcia).

Charles married Pearl Yetter and yad five children: 1. Marian married Leland Brubaker and had four daughters (a. Mrs. Ronald (Linda) Ferner, b. Susan, c. Mrs. Marvin (Judy) Austermiller and daughter Sahra, d. Mary Beth); 2. Lester married Betty Bostleman and had two daughters (a. Kathy and b. Mrs. James (Carol) Pursel); 3. Angeline married Arthur Ward and had two children (a. Mrs. Jerry (Sharon) Potter and b. Steve); 4. Kathleen married S. J. DeMichael and had two children (a. David and b. Debbie); 5. Carmen died in infancy.

Harry married Almeda Leifer and had three children: 1. Gerald married Lucille Lapp and had four children (a. Gregg married L. Jean Herdman and son Matthew, b. Mrs. Charles (Cheryl) Malone, c. Mark married Denise Steward, and d. Joyce); 2. Bernieda married Claire Fiser and had three children (a. Mrs. Gary (Linda) Altman, b. Thomas, and c. Mrs. Keith (Mary Jo) Wiechers and daughter Christa); 3. Ralph married D. Jean Palmer and had three children (a. Mrs. Dale (Deborah) Scott and son Troy, b. Joel, and c. Jeffrey).

Walter married Helen Von Deylen and had three children: 1. Leland married Helen Keller and had six children (a. Kent who married Sue Pak and daughter Dawn, b. Keith, c. Kerry, d. Mrs. Dennis (Kay) Moser and daughter Jennifer, e. Karen, and f. Kevin); 2. Luciene Meyer; 3. Larry married Patricia Buckmaster and had six children (a. Mary Lou, b. Larry II, c. Teresa, d. David, e. Michael, and f. Joseph).

Clarence married Marian Sturde vant and had three children 1. Mrs. Warren (Jean) Myers and daughter (a. Suzanne); 2. Edward married Ruth Lahr and had two daughters (a. Nancy and b. Diana); 3. David married Joyce Beals and daughter (a. Brenda).

Arnold married Helen Bok and had no children.