TUSCARAWAS COUNTY OHIO - BIO: KNISELY, Perry Commodore (published 1925) 
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HISTORY OF OHIO
The American Historical Society, Inc., 1925
Volume III, page 403-404 with photo

        PERRY COMMODORE KNISELY.  During a long and useful life in
Tuscarawas County, where his people were among the first settlers, Perry
Commodore Knisely achieved some of the unusual distinctions of leadership
in agriculture, and good citizenship. His record shows that he was one of
the most expert grain raisers in the state.
        He was born in Fairfield Township, Tuscarawas County, son of Joseph
and Jane (Slutz) Knisely, and great-grandson of John Knisely. John Knisely,
who should be remembered in any history of Ohio, as the founder of the City
of New Philadelphia, was born September 26, 1752, and served as a soldier
in the Revolutionary war. Coming from Pennsylvania to Ohio, he influenced
the Indians to deed about one thousand acres of land to the government, and
he was then awarded that land by grant from the government. On a portion he
laid out and named the town of New Philadelphia, the county seat of
Tuscarawas County. His son, Jacob Knisely, grandfather of the late Perry C.
Knisely, was born February 15, 1789, and served as a soldier in the
quartermaster's department in the War of 1812.
        Perry Commodore Knisely taught school during a period of sixteen
years at Pleasant Valley, Baltgley Valley, Goshen Hill, Tuscarawas and
Ninevah. In 1880 he purchased the Furney homestead in Tuscarawas County,
and on that land achieved his success as a farmer. Some of his farming was
used as demonstration and test work under the auspices of the State
Department of Agriculture. He made an official record of producing
fifty-one and a half bushels of wheat per acre, and one hundred forty-four
and a half bushels of corn per acre. For several years he was a lecturer
for the State Board of Agriculture of Ohio.
        Perry C. Knisely died at his home about two miles east of New
Philadelphia on March 21, 1924. He was a man of exemplary habits, character
and high ideals. His interest in agriculture was deep and sincere, and he
found real pleasure in tilling his farm. He well deserved the tribute of
praise expressed in the words that "the world is better for his having
lived in it."
        Perry C. Knisely married January 20, 1876, Jennie R. Furney of
Goshen Township, Tuscarawas County, daughter of Joseph Furney. Their
children were: Clyde Jesse, born May 11, 1877; Walter Ralph, born September
5, 1879; Herbert P. and Harold J., twins, born August 25, 1882; Emma, born
July 17, 1891 and now deceased and Paul C. born December 26, 1892.
        Clyde Jesse Knisely, an engineer in the state department of
highways and public works and a resident of Columbus is regarded as one of
the leading authorities on the economic side of highway construction. He
spent his youth on the home farm in Tuscarawas County, attended country
schools, and the Ohio state University at Columbus where he was graduated
in the School of Engineering with the degree of civil engineer in 1907.
Before graduating, he was elected county surveyor of Tuscarawas County.
Before he had filled out the term, he accepted a position as engineer
(division engineer) of the State Highway Department at Columbus. On this
appointment he served with the department over two years. Then followed
some years of various engineering work until December, 1920, when he
accepted another appointment with the State Highway Department. His present
position is that of Federal project engineer. While a very competent expert
on all phases of road and bridge construction. Mr. Knisely has specialized
in economic engineering, particularly all subjects involving the cost of
construction and maintenance of roads, and the best methods of taxation for
highway construction and maintenance.
        He married Miss Grace V. Meredith of Tuscarawas County. Their
family of children consists of Hal R., May A., Earl P., Jessie C. and
Bettie G. Knisely.



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