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File contributed to the McLean County ILGenWeb Project
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These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format 
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Source:
Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McLean County, IL, 1908, pg 1143

Contributed by:  McLean Co. Coordinator, on July 6, 1999

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HENRY KNAPPLE Biography

Knapple, Henry. - This well known resident of Danvers Township, McLean county, Ill., who spent almost all 
of his life in the vicinity of his present location, and is recognized not only as a thorough and energetic 
farmer, but as one of the most serviceable members of the community, was born on Long Island, N.Y., June 13, 1856. 
He is a son of Fred and Katharine (Miller) Knaple, native of Germany, where the former was born in 1833, and the 
latter, in 1835. The grandparents on the maternal side, Michael and Katharine (Wenger) Miller, lived and died in 
Germany. The marriage of Fred Knapple and Katharine Miller took place in the fatherland, wehre one child was born 
to their union, and in 1855 they emigrated to the United States, locating in New York. The father bought a farm on 
Long Island, adn after remaining there one year, came to Illinois, making his home at first in Tazewell County. In 1857 
he settled on a farm of eighty acres in Danvers Township, McLean County, and subsequently, at different times, owned 
several large farms. He has sold all of his land except twenty acres, and since 1896, has lived in retirement in the 
village of Danvers. He and his wife have had six children, of whom five are living, the other four being residents of 
Nebraska. The father is a Democrat in politics, and the religious faith of both parents is that of the Lutheran Church. 
Henry Knapple grew up on the paternal farm, and obtained his education in the common schools. In early manhood he learned 
the trade of a carpenter, which he followed up to 1890, when he rented a farm just north of Danvers. There he remained until 
1893, when he went to Nebraska, and stayed four years. Returning home at the end of this time, he bought his father's farm 
of 120 acres on which he has since lived, gradually improving it. On February 18, 1890, Mr. Knapple was joined in wedlock 
with Elizabeth M. Beck, who was born in Woodford County, Ill., and is a daughter of Jacob and Margaret Isabel (Bohman) Beck, 
natives of Germany. The parents of Mrs. Knapple were married in 1865, and immediately after that event embarked for the 
United States. On landing in this country, they came straightway to Illinois, settling in McLean county on a farm of 160 acres. 
After living on this place until 1905 they moved into the village of Danvers, which is now their home. Seven children were the 
offspring of their marriage, all of whom are living. Mr. Beck is a republican in politics, and in religious belief, both parents 
are Lutherans. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Knapple resulted in two children, namely: Loretta M., born in Danvers Township, 
April 14, 1892; and John E., born in Nebraska, August 11, 1893. In politics, Mr. Knapple is identified with the Democratic party. 
For ten years, he held the office of Road Commissioner, and served three years as Director and five years as School Trustee. He and 
his wife are earnest and active members of the Lutheran Church. They are lookup upon as among the most worthy people of Danvers Township.