Johann J. was born on September 17th, 1789.1 Johann J.'s father was Melchior Lapple and his mother was Regina D. Pfaffle. His paternal grandparents were Lorentz Lapple and Maria M. Weik. He had three brothers named Johann D., Johann M. and Lorenz. He was the oldest of the four children. He had a half-brother named Lorenz. He died at the age of 50 on July 17th, 1840.1