Levi Knerr ¹

  Noted events in his life were:

• Census, 1850, Lowhill Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, USA. ^{2 3} The 1850 Census lists him as Levi Knerr, age 53, living with his wife Abigail, age 49, and son Levi, age 12. His occupation is listed as merchant, dry goods. He is living next door to Richard J. Knerr.

• Book: Anniversary History of Lehigh County, Volume II, 1914. ¹ Levi Knerr, the only son of John Conrad, was born on the homestead June 27, 1817. He received his education in the local schools and was brought up on the farm until he became of age, when he and his brother-in-law, Joseph Slough, engaged in the mercantile business at Claussville, in the store department of the hotel building.

They continued there next to the hotel for six years, when they moved into the large two-story brick building which Levi's father erected for them on the opposite side of the road; and, after establishing themselves in their new quarters, they increased their trade very much.

In 1848, Mr. Knerr purchased the interest of his brother-in-law, and afterwards was actively engaged in business there as a general country store-keeper until 18841 when he retired, having had his son, Richard, as a partner since 1865. During his early business career he purchased large quantities of produce from the surrounding store-keepers at Lyon Valley, Lentz's, Saegersville, Lynnville, Seiberlingsville, and Hynemansville, and hauled it weekly to New York City, though the distance was gradually shortened as the railroad was extended from that place towards Easton and Allentown, and on his return he brought general merchandise of all kinds.

In 1840, Mr. Knerr married Abigail Brobst, daughter of Jacob Brobst, of South Whitehall. They had six children: Richard J., Calvin, and Levi, and three who died in infancy. Mr. Knerr died Feb. 20, 1908, aged 90 years. Mrs. Knerr was born April 7, 1822, and died Nov. 24, 1903.

They were buried in the private cemetery of the family on the homestead, where a handsome granite monument has been erected, with a simple and appropriate inscription. Like his father and grandfather, he was a staunch Democrat, and upon the birth of first child, a son, he named him after Richard Johnson, a prominent Democrat of the state, whose character he very much admired.

Levi married Abigail Brobst, daughter of Jacob Brobst and Anna Marie Knerr, in 1840.¹ (Abigail Brobst was born on 7 Apr 1822 in Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, USA ¹ and died on 24 Nov 1903 ¹.)