Knief, William

PAPE, KATZ, TIMMERMAN, MATTHIAS, DIEKMANN, HUEBNER, POOCK, WEHLING, KUHLMAN, KNIEF, PIPHO

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/13/2010 at 10:25:33

William Knief, a representative of a prominent pioneer family of Bremer county, has been connected with agricultural interests of Maxfield township during his entire active life, owning and operating one hundred and twenty acres of choice land on section 33. He was born in this township, September 13, 1860, and is a son of George and Wilhelmina (Pape) Knief, native of Germany, the former born August 2, 1826, and the latter July 13, 1843. The father died in Maxfield township October 18, 1910, and is survived by his wife. To their union were born the following children: Mrs. Minnie Katz; William of this review; Mrs. Louisa Timmerman of Waterloo; Mrs. Carolina Matthias of Maxfield township; Mrs. Dora Diekmann of Readlyn; George deceased; Mrs. Huebner of Tripoli; Henry, who has passed away; Mrs. Emma Poock of Maxfield township; and Fred, also of Maxfield township.

William Knief was reared upon his father's farm and attended the district schools of Maxfield township. His entire active life has been devoted to farming and stock-raising interests and he has met with a gratifying degree of success in these occupations. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of choice land on section 22, Maxfield township, and has provided this with modern buildings and equipment, his farm being today one of the finest and best managed in this locality. His wife owns eighty acres on section 2 and one hundred and twenty acres on sections 10,11 and 15, Franklin township and these properties are also well improved and highly cultivated.

Mr. Knief has been twice married. On the 18th of May, 1887, he wedded Miss Mary Wehling, a native of Germany and a daughter of Fred and Mary Wehling, both of whom were born in the fatherland. Mrs. Knief passed away in Maxfield township, February 18, 1903. She had eight children: William, a resident of Maxfield township; F.H. of Franklin township; Ed, who is employed in a hardware store in Denver, Iowa; Louis and Arthur, who are residing with their father upon the farm; Mrs. Emma Poock of Blackhawk county; Martha; and Ernest, who has passed away. On the 19th of June, 1904, Mr. Knief was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary (Knief) Kuhlman, a native of Jefferson township, this county, born May 1, 1868. Her parents, Henry and Minnie (Pipho) Knief, were native of Germany and both died in Jefferson township, this county, where they settled in pioneer times. Mrs. Knief had one child by her former marriage: Mary Kuhlman, who is making her home with the subject of this review. To her second marriage was born a daughter, Leta. Mrs. Knief passed away September 10, 1913, in Maxfield township.

Mr. Knief is a member of the Immanuel German Evangelical Lutheran church of Klinger and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He is a member of the school board and interested in the cause of education, which finds in him an able champion. Having spent his entire life within the borders of this township, he has become widely known here and his many sterling characteristics have gained him the esteem and confidence of his neighbors.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914