I'm sure we are talking about the same people. I don't have Peter Nicholas Karpen. I do have the following:
Jacob Karpen b. 31 Jan 1845 d. 15 Sep 1923 m. 13 April 1880 to Anna Maria Muhlbach (sp?). Jacob's father is Ludwig b. 1807 d. 8 Aug 1891.
My wife is a Karpen descendant; as follows: Glenda Thoma - Don Thoma - Mayme Karpen - John Karpen - Ludwig Karpen. E-Mail me at malockard@worldnet.att.net