OBIT: Peter KNEPP, 1916, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Keith Petenbrink.

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Knepp, Peter

DIES FROM AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT - Civil War Veteran's Life Passes Away From 
Injuries Received When Train Wrecks Car. Peter Knepp, one of Meyersdale's most 
highly esteemed citizens and veteran of the Civil War, died at his home on North 
Street on last Thursday due to an automobile accident the evening before, an 
account of which was given in last week's issue. In brief, Mr. Knepp was 
crossing the B. & O. tracks at North Street only two doors from his home, the 
car being driven by his daughter, Miss Cora, when the machine was struck in the 
middle by a fast moving freight, throwing the occupants a distance of about 
thirty feet. The father's chest was crushed in and several of his ribs were 
broken. The daughter was badly bruised and injured and terribly shocked is 
convalescing fairly satisfactorily and will probably recover. Peter Knepp was 
born in Rannstadt, Germany, his parents coming to this country when he was but 
nine years of age. The family settled in Larimer Township and carried on 
farming. Mr. Knepp at the time of his death was aged 74 years, 6 months and 2 
days. He enlisted for service in the Civil War. He spent three years in 
assisting to preserve the Union. He was in several severe engagements during the 
war and at the battle of Gettysburg he was shot in the region of the spinal 
column and carried the southern bullet to the day of his death, physicians 
regarding the operation that would be required for its removal as too critical. 
All of his subsequent life he suffered from the injury and in later years became 
quite lame because of it. When he was able to leave the hospital he returned to 
his home and soon resumed work on the farm. By characteristic German thrift, Mr. 
Knepp was enabled to become the owner of several properties in this town. 
Thirteen years ago he moved to Meyersdale. Mr. Knepp was a true Christian man, 
and a faithful member of the Lutheran Church. It is said of Mr. Knepp that he 
was a man who would in no degree wrong any one. His integrity was unquestioned. 
His wife who was Catherine Hersh died about ten years ago. Seven children are 
living: Henry D. Knepp and Mrs. Catherine Moser, of Bellefonte; William, Miss 
Matilda, Miss Cora and Mrs. Emma Matthews, of Meyersdale; and Norman Knepp, of 
Cook's Mills. Mr. Knepp made a will in which six of the seven heirs received 
equal shares of the state (estate?) and to Miss Cora who had ben taken (been 
taking?) care of her father for the past several years, received considerably 
more than the others. Mr. Knepp was a loyal member of the Grand Army of the 
Republic and members of the local Post who attended his funeral were the 
following: Jacob Shumaker, S. D. Yutzy, Joseph Wagner, Scott John, John White, 
Henry Gray, Aug---? Rosenberger, John Daubert, Peter Albright, Martin A. Rutter, 
Samuel Firl, Eli Haer, Samuel Hoffmeyer, John Stacer. The following veterans not 
members of the Post were in attendance also: John Smith, Wm. Kendall, Joseph 
Baker and Nathaniel Bittner. The funeral was held on Sunday afternoon and 
interment was made in the family burial plot at White Oak. Rev. D. W. Mitchell 
preached the funeral sermon.

Meyersdale Commercial, June 22, 1916