JOHN F. KNORR comes from old Pennsylvania stock, his parents being John and Mary (Deihl) Knorr, both of whom were natives of the Keystone State. In 1856 they left their native soil and came West, settling in Florence Township, this county, where they resided until the death of the father, which occurred while on a visit in Nebraska, in September, 1885. Mrs. Knorr is still living, and is a resident of Florence Township. They were the parents of seven children, all of whom grew up to mature years. John F. Knorr was the eldest of the family, and was born in Berks County, Pa., on the 9th of May, 1837. When about eighteen years of age he concluded to leave Pennsylvania and go to Ross County, Ohio, where he resided for two years. The conditions there not being as favorable as he anticipated, and desiring to go further west, he moved on to Stephenson County, where he has since resided. He has secured himself a model farm of 120 acres, and its yield is sufficient to make him content and prosperous.

On the 25th of December, 1862, Mr. Knorr was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Empey, daughter of Anthony and Betsy (Dyer) Empey, who were natives of New York. They emigrated to Stephenson County in 1856 and settled in Loran Township, where they have since resided. During their entire residence in Stephenson County they have been successfully engaged in farming. They had one son and one daughter, the latter the wife of the subject of this sketch, who was born in Oneida County, N. Y., Aug. 31, 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Knorr are the parents of four children – Sophronia V., Anthony F., Thomas J. and Lulu M. Sophronia is the wife of Palmer Kemper, and resides in Kansas; they have two children, named John D. and Goldie S. Mr. Knorr is known as a solid Democrat, and for his fidelity to his party has been rewarded with a school directorship and other offices of Loran Township.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 311-12