HENRY J. KNUPPEL
Page 536

HENRY J. KNUPPEL is numbered among the gentleman of German birth and parentage who make their home in the prosperous township of Forest City, Mason County, where he is generally conceded to be one of the substantial and enterprising farmers in the community. He came to America poor in the world's goods, and by means of his natural ability and energy has accumulated a handsome property, being at this writing the owner of a farm comprising four hundred acres of valuable land which is the result of unceasing labor on his part. The birth of our subject occurred February 21, 1838, in Hanover, Germany, and when attaining his eighteenth year he decided to try his fortunes in America, and crossing the Atlantic, made his way to Cook County, this state, where he engaged in farm pursuits. This was the first work of the kind which he had ever done, and he remained there working for other people until 1858, when he came to Mason County and found work on the railroad. The first month being cheated out of his pay, he abandoned that kind of life, and again hired out as a farm laborer, this time for J. G. Wessling. Later he worked for John Corey, and was afterward in the employ of Hugh McHarry. After spending several years in the New World working for other people, our subject rented property, which he cultivated to good advantage, in this township. He had been thus occupied one year when the Civil War broke out, and feeling brave enough to encounter danger and hardships belonging to a soldier's life, he in July, 1861, enlisted as a soldier in Company C, Second Illinois Cavalry, under the command of Captain Fullerton, of Havana. He was sent with his regiment to Cairo, where they were drilled and then placed on guard duty at Caledonia, this state, at which place the telegraph lines were threatened. From there his company went to Hickman, Ky., on a scouting expedition, and later was engaged in a battle at Union City, Tenn. During his army experience our subject participated in the following well known conflicts: Obine River, Tenn., in 1862; Hatcher's Run, October 5 of that year, and Holly Springs, December 20, 1863. At the battle of Holly Springs Mr. Knuppel received ,a sabre wound on the right side of the head which he did not think of sufficient consequence to secure his discharge. He went on duty as usual, but taking a heavy cold was compelled to go to the hospital at Memphis, Tenn. After convalescing he was placed on detached duty and remained there until the expiration of his term of enlistment. August 18, 1864, Mr. Knuppel, was honorably discharged at Springfield, after a service of three years. After returning from the battlefield our subject crossed the Atlantic and spent one year in his native land, receiving treatment for his eyes, which had been in a critical condition ever since being wounded in the army. At the expiration of that time he returned to his rented farm, which he carried on for two seasons, and then purchased his present property. In January, 1866, Henry J, Knuppel and Miss Anna Harfst were united in marriage. The lady was also of German birth, and the daughter of Garret Harfst, who came to America and settled in this township in 1858; he is now deceased. Mrs. Knuppel's birth took place in April, 1849, and by her union with our subject she has become the mother of six children. The eldest of the family, Emma Johanna, is now the wife of Joseph Hovey, and makes her home in Pennsylvania Township; the remainder of the children are: August, Anna Catherine, John Garret, Henry William and Louisa Rebecca. Mr. and Mrs. Knuppel are members in good standing of the Methodist Lutheran Church, in which body they are both Sunday-school teachers, and the former holds the office of Deacon. Our subject has given his children good educations in both the German and English languages, and from the interest which he has taken in school affairs, his fellow-citizens have elected him a member of the Board, which position he is at present holding from District No. 2. As before stated, he is the proud possessor of four hundred acres of land, which he has improved and cultivated until it is one of the best in Mason County. His residence, which he erected in 1888, cost besides his labor $2,100, and is finished and furnished in a manner which indicate its occupants to be people of means and culture. In his political belief Mr. Knuppel is a stance Republican, on which ticket he was elected Road Commissioner, and served for a term of three years, He takes an active part in all the workings of his party, and has on various occasions been sent as a delegate to county conventions. As may be expected, he is a prominent Grand Army man, meeting with J. Q. A. Jones Post No. 526, at Havana.

1894 Biography Index

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