Knauss, Mary Etta (nee Weiler)

While partaking of dinner at the home of her son, O. J. Knauss, at this place, last Thursday, the 3d inst., Mary Etta, the aged widow of Aquila Knauss, was stricken with heart failure and died within a few minutes. She had been talking with the family, was cheerful as usual when the summons came so suddenly and caused a great shock to her many friends. She had been remarkably well preserved, performing household duties up to her death. She brought her age to 85 years, 8 months and 3 days. Deceased was a daughter of the long deceased George Weiler and his wife Salome, a born Schaeffer. She was born at Longswamp township, Berks county, and became a member of the Reformed church. She was married to Aquila Knauss, of Emaus, at a suitable age. He preceded her in death eleven years. They lived for about twenty years at Emaus where all but one of her children were born. Four children have also preceded the mother and these three daughters and four sons survive: Isabella, wife of Samuel Brunner, of Limeport; Ellen, wife of Henry J. Balliet, of Boyertown; Emma, wife of Harry Jarrett, of West Point, Neb.; George F. Knauss, of Topton; O. J. Knauss, Justice of the Peace, and O. P. Knauss, published of Progress, of Macungie, and A. W. Knauss, of Allentown. There also survive two sisters, Mrs. J. P. Haas, of Reading, and Mrs. Edwin Fegely, of Shamrock, as also 43 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren. She came of a family prominent in Berks county's history and activities. Her father was a large landowner and was once county commissioner. Her brother Amos was a prothonotary and the other brother, Manoah, was for many years proprietor of leading hotels in Reading. She was a member of the Moravian church of Emaus, of which her husband's progenitors were leading members 164 years ago. One of them was a founder of the congregation. The funeral was held on Monday forenoon. Services were held in St. Matthew's Lutheran church and interment made on Fairview cemetery, where the husband lies buried. Rev. A. E. Abel, the Moravian pastor, and the choir, with the trombones, officiated.

[Source: Macungie Progress, Thursday, October 10, 1907, page 1. Submitted by Jerri.]
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