Jonathan Knipes : Short Biography

My 2nd great grandfather is David Louis Knipes Sr, born 1875 in Rutland, VT, USA. I know this from several documents and family memory. I am baffled by his father, Jonathan Knipes. 

1855- The earliest record I have for Jonathan is the 1855 census showing Jonathan Nipe b.1839 living  in Watervliet, NY with his mother and father, Solomon Nipe b.1819 and Susana Nipe b.1814. Jonathan's siblings Mary and Susana are also listed. The entire family shares Ireland as their place of birth.

1862- The next document is an enlistment record for Jonathan Knipes b.1838. According to this document Jonathan joined the Union Army at Rouses Point, NY. near the border with Canada in 1862. This record lists his birth place as Portadown, Ireland. In 1863, a second army record shows Jonathan Knipes with a listed residence in West Troy (Watervliet) NY. According to the enlistment record, Jonathan left the army in 1868.

1870- Shortly thereafter a Jonathan Knips b.1847 appears on the 1870 census in Clarendon, Rutland VT. He is listed with his wife Elizabeth and son William living in a house with his father in law, Hiram Jackson. Jonathan's birthplace is listed as Ireland and his mother and father are listed as foreign born.

1873- Jonathan Knipes b.1847 marries Elizabeth Langley Jackson in 1873 and his parents are entered as James Knipes and Elizabeth.

1880- Jonathan Knipes b.1847 appears on the 1880 Census in Rutland, VT. with his wife Elizabeth and sons Julius Knipes. Jonathan’s birthplace and that of his mother and father are entered as Ireland.

1890- In August of 1890, a Jonathan Knipes b.1844 traveled to Glasgow and was listed as single and the only passenger of Irish descent. Jonathan returned in September of the same year on the same ship and was listed along with every other passenger as Scottish.

1900- Jonathan Knipes b.1844 is listed as having been born in Ireland to a mother and father from Scotland. Jonathan’s immigration status is “Alien” and the year of immigration is 1857.

1910- Jonathan Knipes b.1842 appears on the 1910 census with nationality is entered as “Ireland Scotch” and Scotland is entered as the birthplace of his parents. His immigration year is entered as 1888 or 1849.

1917- When Jonathan Knipes' son Julius Knipes was married in 1917, his Jonathan’s birthplace is entered as Ireland.

1919- Jonathan Knipes b.1838 dies on 4/12/1919 in Clarendon, Rutland, VT. On that record his parents are entered as David Knipes and his mother is "unknown". The birthplace for all three individuals is entered as Ireland.

1939- When Jonathan Knipes' son Julius Knipes died in 1939 in North Clarendon, Rutland VT., the death certificate lists his father's birthplace as Scotland.

Additionally, when Jonathan’s children were married, his birthplace is invariably entered as Ireland.

Questions:

Was Jonathan Knipes born in 1838, 1844 or 1847?

Where was Jonathan born?

Is Jonathan’s father James Knipes, Solomon Nipe, or David Knipes?

Are “Watervliet Jonathan” and “Rutland Jonathan” the same person?

Did “Rutland” Jonathan serve in the US Civil War?