OBIT: Conrad KNEPLEY, 1917, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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CONRAD KNEPLEY CALLED BY DEATH
Veteran Engineer Succumbs to Pneumonia at the Mercy Hospital Last Night
WAS STATE'S OLDEST ENGINEMAN

  Conrad Knepley, aged 86, of 1715 Fifth avenue, one of the oldest 
railroad engineers in the United States, died at the Mercy hospital at 
10:50 o'clock last evening, of pneumonia.  He was admitted to the 
institution February 26, suffering from gangrene of the leg and 
developed the case of pneumonia within the last few days.
  Mr. Knepley worked as a Pennsy engineer shortly after the building of 
the first line across the state, in the days of the single track and 
wood-burning locomotives.  He was the oldest living locomotive engineer 
in the state, and possibly in the country.
  He was born in Dauphin county, February 18, 1831, and lived as a boy 
on his father's farm.  As a young man he resided a short time in 
Harrisburg, going westward at the age of 20 and spending two years in 
Ohio and Iowa.  At the age of 22 he returned to Harrisburg and in 1853 
went to work as an engineer on the then single-track line of the 
Pennsylvania railroad.
  In those days the crews ran over what is now two divisions, making 
the round trip between Harrisburg and Pittsburg.  At that time wood 
burning locomotives of a primitive type were in use and the journey 
required days, where it is now made in a matter of hours.
  As a young man, Mr. Knepley came in contact with Andrew Carnegie.  He 
was in the Pittsburg division office at that place when the multi-
millionaire was hired as an office boy.  Later Mr. Knepley worked under 
Carnegie when the latter was superintendent of the Pittsburg division, 
and for a number of years he had been pensioned by Mr. Carnegie.
  Fifty years ago, on a railroad siding at Nineveh, west of Johnstown, 
Mr. Knepley was struck by a piece of lumber projecting from a passing 
train.  He was ill for a year as a result of the injury and was 
compelled to give up railroading.  He then entered the Pennsy service 
as a hostler at No. 3 round house in this city, and worked there until 
his retirement at the age of 70, in 1901.  Since then he had drawn a 
Pennsy pension as well as the Carnegie pension.
  He was twice married, the first time being wedded to Miss Sarah 
Rigler.  The ceremony took place at the state capital in 1854.  To this 
union there were born the following children, who survive: Mrs. Dolly 
Vaughn, W. B. Knepley, Mrs. Frank McDonough, Samuel J. Knepley and and 
Mrs. Arthur Vaughn, all of this city.  Mrs. R. H. McMurray, another 
well known Altoona daughter, died last August.  Fourteen grandchildren 
and twenty great-grandchildren also survive.
  Thirty-two years ago Mr. Knepley was married to Mrs. Amanda Spanogle, 
who survives but is seriously ill at the family home.  Mrs. Spanogle is 
the mother of Dr. A. L. Spanogle, the well known Altoona physician.  
There were no children born to the second union.
  Mr. Knepley was a member of the First United Brethren church and the 
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.  He was well known throughout the 
city and this section of the state.  Many friends about the city 
cherished his friendship as a fine type of elderly gentleman, who had 
endeared himself to many by his kindness in visiting the sick.
  The body was received by Funeral Director Otto G. Gilden and after 
being prepared for burial will be taken to the home of the daughter and 
son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Vaughn, 2008 Eighth avenue, from where 
the funeral will be held at a time to be announced later.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Saturday morning, March 3, 1917

Funeral Notice.

  The funeral of Conrad Knepley will be held from the home of the son-
in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Vaughn, 2008 Eighth avenue, 
with services at the house at 2.30 o'clock this afternoon.  Interment 
will be made in Fairview cemetery.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Monday morning, March 5, 1917