STANDARD ATLAS
OF
SCOTT COUNTY, ILLINOIS
1903
Geo. A. Ogle & Co.Publishers & Engravers
134 Van Buren St.
Chicago
Transcribed by Larry Fearneyhough
Page 101
One of the best known residents in the vicinity of Bluffs is the subject of this sketch. John Knoeppel was born in Berich, Furstenheim, Waldech, Germany, in 1836. He grew to manhood there and married very young. In 1855 he and his wife, Johannette, emigrated to America and settled near Arenzville, Cass county, Illinois, where they remained until March 1, 1856, when they moved to Morgan county, near the Scott county line, about one mile north of Neeleyville. Here they remained until late in 1862, or early in '63, when Mr. Knoeppel purchased the southeast quarter of section 1, 15-13, in Scott county, and moved there. He worked hard upon his farm, was successful with his crops and prospered.
He early identified himself with the democratic party and labored for its success. In 1877 he was elected county commissioner and that office he held for nine consecutive years, being reelected in 1880 and again in 1883. In 1889 he was chosen road commissioner of road district No. 7 and served in that capacity for two years. In 1890 he was chosen by the democracy of Scott county to make the race for sheriff, was elected by an increased majority and served four years. During his terms of office however he was not unmindful of his farm. He loved the old home and looked closely after it. Everything about the place was kept up nicely and nothing went to waste.
While Mr. Knoeppel was sheriff of Scott county, 1892, he, accompanied by his son, Lewis, and his daughter, Miss Katie, visited the old home in Germany. They remained several months and returned to Winchester again that fall. It might be stated here that it was during Mr. Knoeppel's term as county commissioner that the new court house was erected, his name being engraved on the tablet at the south entrance as one of the three commissioners who contracted for the erection of the building. After retiring from the office of sheriff Mr. Knoepple became interested with some other gentlemen in the Bank of Bluffs and since that time has devoted most of his time to that line of business. To this he applied the same conservative methods which so signally marked his other successes in life. The Bank of Bluffs is one of the sound institutions of the county and to Mr. Knoeppel is due a great deal of the credit for its present standing.
Mr. and Mrs. Knoeppel were the parents of nine children. They are all dead, save two - Henry, who lives at Bluffs, and Mrs. Katie Dwyer, who resides near Jacksonville. Mrs. Johannette Knoeppel died March 15, 1889. In the country of his adoption Mr. Knooppel has fared well. He has been honored by his neighbors and friends and has been an honor to them, and in the onward rush of time he has accumulated sufficient for ease and comfort in old age.