KNOPP  PAGE

p. 147

Mr. and Mrs. Gottfried Knopp

Mr. Gottfried Knopp was born August 1862 in Mannsburg, South Russia.  In 1885 he was united in marriage to Rosina Reiman.  They came to the United States in 1886 settling near Tripp, S. D.  Two years later they homesteaded 19 miles southwest of what is now the city of Kulm.

Mr. Knopp built a farm, erected a small house of rocks and clay.  He built an oven also of rock.  Fire was made in the oven and after it was heated the fire was removed and the oven was ready for baking. The only fuel for cooking and heated the home was twisted hay and dow chips.  During spare time Mr. Knopp picked up bones and hauled them to Ellendale to be sold.  The price was low but the small income helped with the buying of groceries and clothing.

In 1908 Mr. Knopp took a trip to Russia to visit his parents, brothers and many friends.  In the fall of 1915 Mr. Mrs. Knopp went to Cuba to spend the winter months.

While still on the farm Mr. Knopp purchased one of the first Minneapolis threshing machines.  He himself operated the machine while his son Edward operated the engine.  Johnnie the straw team and his daughter, Christina, operated the water wagon by a team of horses.  In this way they threshed for three years.

In 1921 the Knopps retired from farming and located in Kulm.  Mr. Knopp passed away in 1926 at the age of 64.  Mrs. Knopp died in 1952, at the age of 91.  The couple were blessed with 12 children 4 of whom proceeded their parents in deaths.  Living are:

Martha, Mrs. John Hell;

Hanna, Alta Canada;

Edward, Lodi, Calif.;

Mary, Mrs. Jack Franz, Ellendale, N.D.;

Christina, Mrs. Henry Patzer of Kulm [see note (3)];

Ida, Mrs. John Schweigert of Ellendale, N.D. [see note (1) ...];

Johnnie, Forbes, N.D.;

Pauline, Mrs. August Hilscher, Lodi, Calif.;

Artine, Mrs. Henry Hilscher, Lodi, Calif..

Letters and E-mails:

In a message dated 8/5/03 8:26:08 PM,  Jana (Wirch) Wright, janawright@sbcglobal.net writes:

<< HJudy,

I enjoyed seeing your website about Kulm, ND--it is where my Grandmother's parents were from. There is a entry at the website under Johan Franz, Sr for:

Ann Franz m. Clinton Knapp of Ahsley, ND, USA

I believe the correct spelling is KNOPP, and it is Ashley, ND.

1. I have a picture postcard, of a baby born to Mr. and Mrs.Clinton Knopp - in Sepiatone-done by a Photographer in Kulm ND (Kempf) addressed to my Grandmother and letters signed by "Mrs. Clinton Knopp" in her writing. The style of writing matches in the letter and what is signed on the back of the picture postcard.

2. I also have a letter written to my Grandmother, "Hanna" - a letter were written by Ann Knopp, later in their lives. My Dad verified that this is his Great-Aunt Ann's writing.

My Grandmother's name was Johanna Franz [nee Wirch] Wendorf. Grandma was born in October of 1901 in Kulm, ND. She married Emil Hugo Wirch, the son of John Wirch, Jr. of Edgeley and Wirch, ND in about 1920 through 1922.

My Dad, La Rone Benarr was born in Portland, OR in July of 1923. His brother Monte Hugo was born in Pentelton, OR October of 1925 and passed away in June of 2002. The entire Franz family had moved to College Place, Walla Walla County, Washington before 1925; they are listed on the 1925 Census as living there. My Dad remembers his Grossmutter as loving woman, but who spoke only German. He knew that the older couple who lived behind the 'main house' in College Place, WA were his mother's grandparents.

Johanna and Emil Wirch divorced in about 1935. Johanna married a Gus Wendorf in 1937. My Grandfather married Lucile (Streight) Wirch in about 1940. They were married until Lucile died in 1983. Grandpa Wirch passed away in 1986. They had three children; John Wirch, Tom Wirch and Elizabeth. Grandma divorced Gus about 1940-1941. She never remarried, saying men were 'too messy'. "Jo" and "Hanna" are names my Grandma went by during her 95 years. She passed away in June of 1996. Molly dies in 1987.

I thought you'd be interested in knowing.

Jana (Wirch) Wright

Schweikert Genealogy

Judy A. Remmick-Hubert's Notes:

(1)

John  Schweikert  b. 11 Jan. 1891 Borodino / Bess. S. Russia  d. 8 Jan 1919 Kulm, ND USA m. Ida Knopp, dau. of  Gottfried Knopp from Mannsberg, [Mannheim/Od.?] S. Russia and Rosina Reimann.

(2)

Ann Franz m. Clinton Knopp of Ahsley, ND, USA

(3)

Henry Patzer was the son of Daniel Patzer and Christina Friemuth.  They were from Leipzig/ Bess. S. Russia.  Listed on p. 163 with his parents. Photo of parents.