RUSSELL M. KNEPPER was born on a farm in Hopewell Township, Seneca County,
Ohio, February 11, 1878, a son of Benjamin F. and Mary (Reeme) Knepper. His
father was a native of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and his mother of
Dauphin County in the same state. His father, a prominent Ohio farmer, died
January 31, 1905, and his mother passed away November 12, 1917.
Russell M. Knepper was reared on the farm of his birth and attended the
district and select schools. He began teaching at the age of seventeen,and
continued to do so for five years. During those years he also attended Ohio
Northern University at Ada, Ohio, where he graduated with the degree of
Bachelor of Science in 1901. He began the study of law in Tiffin under the
instructorship of Judge George M. Hoke, and in 1904 returned to the Ohio
Northern University, from which he graduated in the law department in June,
1905. He began the practice of law in Tiffin, associating himself with
Judge W. Scott Wagner, under the firm name of Wagner & Knepper.
In politics, Mr. Knepper has always been a staunch supporter of the
democratic faith, and in November, 1912, he was elected prosecuting
attorney of Seneca County and was reelected in 1914. The vigorous manner in
which he performed the duties of that office during the two terms caused
him to be called to the office of attorney-general, as special counsel
under Attorney-General Joseph McGee, during the administration of Governor
James M. Cox.
Upon Mr. Knepper's retirement from the attorney-generals office he
reentered the practice of law, locating in Columbus, where he has since
remained. In March, 1923 he formed a partnership with Alfred N. Wilcox of
Paulding, Ohio, under the firm name of Knepper & Wilcox. Associated with
them also is Peter E. Dempsey. The success of this business association is
best exemplified by the esteem in which it is recognized in the business
and legal field.
Mr. Knepper's work in the state law department gave him added advantages
and well fitted him for the prominence he has gained as a successful legal
advisor and energetic trial lawyer. He is now general counsel of various
business associations and corporations, whose affairs occupy much of his
time, although he prefers to have it said that he is in the general
practice of the law.
On December 12, 1906, Mr. Knepper married Miss Mamie A. Corn, a daughter of
William D. and Birdie (Gates) Corn of Ironton,Ohio. To this union two
children were born, William E., October 25,1909, and Alice M., June 29, 1912.
Mr. Knepper has taken a prominent part in fraternal work and is a member
of the Columbus Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, the Scottish Rite Bodies,
Aladdin Temple, Knights of Pythias, Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks; Knights of the Maccabees, and others. He is judge advocate general
for the Domain of Ohio of the Uniformed Rank Knights of Pythias, with the
rank of colonel in that body.
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Gina Reasoner
GReasoner@prodigy.net
December 21, 1999
History of Ohio
The American Historical Society, Inc., 1925
Volume III, page 57.