OBIT: John Anthony KNECHT, 1930, West Salisbury, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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JOHN ANTHONY KNECHT

  The subject of this sketch, who was a popular and well known citizen of West 
Salisbury for many years, died at his home in that village at about 11 o'clock 
p.m. Feb. 10, 1930, aged 58 years, 7 months and 8 days.  He was the eldest son 
of Michael and Mary Daniels Knecht, and was born at Keysers Ridge, Garrett 
County, Md., from which place he came to West Salisbury with his parents, who 
located there about the year 1880, where the family has resided ever since.
  His father established himself in the blacksmithing business immediately after 
locating in West Salisbury, and some years later purchased the old Salisbury 
Foundry, a defunct business institution, pulled down the old building, and moved 
the plant to West Salisbury, where it was housed in a new building, and lathes 
and much other machinery were added.  It was about that time that the firm of M. 
Knecht was changed to M. Knecht & Son, and the new firm not only continued to 
some extent in the blacksmithing business, but in addition has ever since been 
conducting a foundry and machine shop of considerable magnitude.
  John A. Knecht, though not a member of the firm, was for a number of years one 
of the firm's most valuable employes, and he grew up with the business his 
father established, as did also his four brothers, William, Joseph, Harry and 
Frank, who, with his father, survive him.  Within the last fifteen years, he 
embarked in the coal business, which he followed several years, very 
successfully, and at a time when the coal business was very profitable.  
However, on Oct. 10, 1923, Mr. Knecht had a paralytic stroke, from which he 
never fully recovered, and since that time he was not actively engaged in any 
business.  His affliction seemed to grow worse from year to year, affecting his 
mind to some extent at times, as well as the organs of speech.  His condition 
was pitiable, but he bore his afflictions bravely until his earthly pilgrimage 
came to a close.
  Last Sunday morning about 8 o'clock Mr. Knecht went for his car, in which to 
take his wife and children to church.  His wife in the meantime was attending to 
her household duties.  Between the hours of 8 and 9 a.m., it finally occurred to 
Mrs. Knecht that her husband was rather slow in getting his car around to the 
house, and so she went to the garage to see what was detaining him.  Upon 
arriving there she was horrified to find her husband lying on the floor, unable 
to speak or get up.  He seemed to be unconscious, or at least partially so, and 
remained in that condition until the following Monday night, when he died.   
When Mrs. Knecht found her husband where he had fallen, she speedily summoned 
help, and the dying man was carried into his home, and a physician was summoned.  
The doctor was powerless to stay the hand of death, and the unfortunate man was 
not long in passing on to that bourne from whence no traveler ever returns.  Had 
he lived only an hour and a few minutes longer, he would have died on the 15th 
anniversary of his marriage.
  John A. Knecht was a man of generous impulses, kind to all about him, and had 
a great many friends who will be sorry to learn of his demise.  In addition to 
his aged father, now in his 95th year, and the four brothers mentioned, he is 
also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Robert Brandler and Miss Gertrude Knecht, 
both of West Salisbury; his wife and three young children, Rosetta, Jack and 
Anna Mary.  Mrs. Knecht is a daughter of Wilbur Derry of West Salisbury. 
  Mr. Knecht was a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church, and the obsequies 
were conducted at St. Michael's Church, this (Thursday) forenoon, by the local 
priest, Rev. H. T. Miller, assisted by the Very Rev. J. J. Brady of Meyersdale, 
and Rev. George Quinn, of Spanger, Pa.  The burial arrangements were in charge 
of Funeral Director J. F. Reich, of Meyersdale.  Interment was made in St. 
Michael's Cemetery.   There were many beautiful floral tributes.

Meyersdale Republican, February 13, 1930