KNOBBE

The Breda Centennial Book, Older Days Renewed, page 91 & 93

John Bernard Knobbe, born near Hanover, Germany in 1811, and his wife, the former Adelade Waters, immigrated to America in 1855 with their six children: Bernard Henry, Clemens John, Richard Henry, Angela Mary, Herman and John R. The (sic) settled near Galena, Illinois. In 1870 they moved to Carroll County, what was then known as Sheridan Township, (now Kniest), and took up a homestead three quarters of a mile east of Breda, now the home of the Dean Tiefenthaler family. John and a number of his sons were among the early constructors of the railroad in the territory. He died in 1894 and is buried at Breda.

Clemens John, son of John Bernard Knobbe, was an early businessman in Breda operating a grain dealership. He also owned and managed a saloon in the area that the present Post Office now occupies. The family residence was to the rear of this establishment. Some years later he farmed in the Willey area and upon retiring moved back to Breda.

Clemens John was married twice; his first wife was Mary Kuhl. Frank and Anna Knobbe (Wessling) were children of this union. His wife Mary died in 1877 and was buried at Mt. Carmel. In 1879 Clemens John was married to Mary Wempe Klein. Children of this marriage include: Clem, Francis (Leuke), Henry, Joseph, Mary (Leuke), John, Tony, and step -children Ben Klein, and Anna Klein (Pittman). Clemens John died in 1919; his wife Mary died in 1934, and are buried at Breda.

Grandchildren of Clemens John still living in the Breda area are: Felicitas Knobbe (Polking), Carole Knobbe (Snyder), Mark, Mello and Robert Knobbe. The late Father Clemens Knobbe, a native priest was also a grandson.

Submitted in October 2001 by Anita Henning - Lemon Grove, CA