Capt. Chester M. Knepper, a retired officer of the United States Navy, died last Thursday at his residence in Somerset, after an illness of more than six months from a malignant throat affection. He was 61 years of age. Capt. Knepper was born near Somerset, Dec. 10, 1862. He was a son of the late Sheriff Oliver and Mary Pugh Knepper, of Somerset. At the age of 16 years he became a teacher in the public schools of Somerset County, and when 18 years of age he entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., from which he was graduated five years later and became an instructor in mathematics in the academy, and subsequently was promoted to the rank of captain in the Naval service. He retired from the United States Navy in 1915. Capt. Knepper later graduated from the school of mining engineering at Golden, Colo. He was recalled into the service of the United States Navy during the World War and served as an inspector of munitions at the works of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation at Bethlehem, Pa., until the close of the war. At the termination of the war Capt. Knepper returned to Somerset to pass his remaining years with his kinfolk. He was married some years ago to Miss Helen Todhunter, of Washington, D.C., who preceded him to the grave in 1915. Captain Knepper is survived by one brother, Lieut. Orlo Knepper, of Bethlehem, Pa., and the following sisters: Mrs. Laura K. Baush; Edith, wife of Attorney Fred W. Biesecker; Florence, wife of John H. Beerits, all of Somerset, and Cora, wife of H.H. Anderson, of Oklahoma. Funeral services were conducted at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon by Rev. Dr. I. Hess Wagner, pastor of the Trinity Lutheran Church.

Meyersdale Republic, Dec. 4, 1924

Contributor: Michael W. Sechler (48022195)