Frances Knoedler (pronounced "Needler") was born May 27, 1858 in Hancock County, Illinois. Frances, who was known as Fannie her whole life, was the first of nine children born to Johann (John) Knoedler and Catherine (Kate) George. Her father was born in Germany, her mother in Augusta, Virginia, to German-born parents. The George family had immigrated … Continue reading Frances Knoedler

Nathaniel Asa Siepel was born February 25, 1856 on his family’s farm in Hancock County, Illinois. Nathaniel’s father, Philip Siepel, was born in Germany, his mother, Eliza Fawver, in Virginia.  Philip and Eliza were married in Shenandoah County, Virginia in 1848. From there, they migrated to Illinois, pioneer fashion, in 1854, with three young children in … Continue reading Nathaniel Asa Siepel

My dad’s maternal grandmother, Edythe Mae Siepel, is the youngest of my eight great-grandparents. She was born October 11, 1885, in Hancock County, Illinois. Edythe was the oldest of four children, two boys and two girls, born to Nathaniel Asa Siepel and Fannie Knoedler. By the time Edythe was 16, both of her younger brothers … Continue reading Edythe Mae Siepel