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- DEACON ANDREW B. KNAPP, one of the respected citizens of
- Beloit, was born in Chenango County, N.Y., June 15, 1820,
and is a son of Daniel B. and Betsy (YOUNG) KNAPP, the former
a native of Danbury, Conn., born in 1794, the latter, a native
of Schoharie County, N.Y., born in 1796. When nineteen years
of age, Daniel KNAPP left his home in Connecticut, and with only
twenty-five cents in his pocket and a kit of shoemaker's tools
strapped across his back, started on foot for Chenango County,
,N.Y. In order to earn a livelihood, he went from house to house
working at his trade, which he had learned in his native State,
a manner of working known as "whipping the cat." About
the year 1815, he married Miss Betsy YOUNG, and by their union
a family of nine children were born, all of whom lived to man
and womanhood - Lucy, now the wife of J. S. SMITH,
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- of Chenango County, N.Y.; George Y., who married Phila CUSHMAN,
and is engaged in farming near Oshkosh, Wis., Andrew B., of this
sketch; William B., a resident of Oshkosh, and the husband of
Miss Betsy WHITE; Levi E., who wedded Miss Caroline REMINGTON,
and makes his home in Oshkosh; Maria L., widow of William N.
JONES, residing in Rome, N.Y.; Elias D., who married Emeliza
HICKS, and is living near Oshkosh; Anna E., who became the wife
of Isaac N. SHAW, and died in Cold Water, Mich., in 1884; Frederick
H., who married Nellie POWERS, and died in Oshkosh in 1863.
- When Daniel B. KNAPP began life he was in limited circumstances,
but possessed of an
- energetic nature and determined to succeed, he at length
became a well-to-do citizen. He was an indefatigable worker in
whatever he undertook, and his work was always accomplished in
a satisfactory manner. He was a contractor on the Black River
Canal, and from 1841 to 1843, inclusive, was there engaged, building
six locks at a cost of more than $100,000. He was one of the
commissioners sent to Utica, N.Y., to make arrangements for the
construction of the Chenango Canal, which was successfully carried
out, he building two miles of the same. He also built three aqueducts
and the culverts on nineteen miles, from Green, Chenango Co.,
to Binghamton, his work proving entirely satisfactory to all
parties concerned. In early life, Mr. KNAPP was a Jeffersonian
Democrat, but afterwards cast his ballot with the Whig party,
and later became a stalwart supporter of the Republican party.
For many years he held the office of Justice of the Peace, and
when his neighbors came to him for counsel he advised them to
settle all difficulties by arbitration rather than law, thereby
saving them many dollars and much hard feeling. Both Mr. KNAPP
and his wife were members of the Congregational Church, consistent
and faithful in their professions. For sixty years they traveled
life's journey together, sharing the hardships and pleasures,
the sorrows and joys incident to the life of all. At length on
the 1st day of October, 1878, the wife was called to her final
rest, and the following year Mr. KNAPP, went to Rockton, Ill.,
where he died Feb. 29, 1880. They now lie side by side in the
Riverside Cemetery, Oshkosh.
- The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood in Chenango
County, N.Y., receiving his
- education principally in the district schools, attending,
however, an academy at Sherburn, N.Y. for two or three terms.
At the age of fifteen years, he resolved to become a servant
of God and united with the Congregational Church, and when twenty-five
years of age was made Deacon, an office which he has held almost
continuously since. In 1841, he led to the marriage alter Miss
Adeline O. SKINNER, daughter of Alfred and Elizabeth (COSTIN)
SKINNER. Her father, who was a prominent farmer of Chenango County,
was born April 29, 1781, and on the 12th day of December, 1802,
was united in marriage with Elizabeth COSTIN, who was born June
26, 1786. Unto them were born a family of fifteen children, thirteen
of whom lived to adult age. The father died Oct. 5, 1873, at
the age of ninety-two years and six months, and the mother died
in October, 1876, in the ninety-first year of her age. They had
lived together as man and wife seventy-one years, ten months
and fifteen days, and their wedded life was of the happiest.
- By the union of Mr. and Mrs. KNAPP, two children were born
- Bostwick A., who is the short-
- hand reporter of the Hartford Fire Insurance Company of Chicago,
married Rebecca FULTON, and to them were born three children
- Mabel A., Clarence A., and Dora Alice; Emilada O., who is now
the wife of G. A. BRONSON, and has three children now living
- Leslie, Gus A., and Robert G. They are residents of Waupaca,
Wis., and Mr. BRONSON is engaged as a traveling salesman for
a Milwaukee firm. On the 31st day of May, 1872, the death of
Mrs. KNAPP occurred, and she was laid to rest in the Riverside
Cemetery at Oshkosh. In Sept. 1, 1874, Mr. KNAPP was again married,
his second union being with Miss Julia R. PECK, a daughter of
Hiram PECK, of Columbia County, N.Y. She is a refined, intelligent
lady, was educated in the Charlotteville Seminary, and for twelve
years was clerk in the Treasury Department at Washington, D.C.
- In 1855, our subject came to the West, locating at Oshkosh,
Wis., where he embarked in the
- lumber business. His first enterprise was the building of
a large two gang mill, the only mill of the kind in the city,
and for twenty years it remained one of the leading industries,
furnishing employment to from forty to 100 men. Public spirited
and progressive, he did much for the upbuilding of that city,
and any laudable enterprise was certain to receive his ready
support. Probably no man did as much for the advancement of its
churches, and he will long be remembered as one of the benefactors
of Oshkosh, Wis. From the time he went to that city, he was a
member of the Congregational Church, carrying his letter with
him from his old home, and in a short time he was chosen Deacon.
He has always been a devoted member of that organization, and
is indefatigable worker in it interests. While a resident of
Oshkosh he was for seventeen years Superintendent of the Sabbath
school. In 1879, Mr. KNAPP made an exchange of his property in
Oshkosh for 640 acres of land in Winnebago County, Ill., all
of which is under cultivation. In 1884, he became a resident
of Beloit, and is the owner of twenty acres within the limits
of that city. Starting out in life as the follower of Christ,
he has always endeavored to live in strict harmony with his profession.
He is a bitter opponent of the liquor traffic and has done all
in his power to banish that evil from the State.
- A fine portrait of this worthy man may be seen upon another
page.
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-
- Taken from "Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock
County, Wis." (c)1889, p. 655-656; lithograph from same
book.
-
- Courtesy of Carolbook
-
- Andrew Best Knapp is my 3rd great grandfather. He died
June 2, 1908, according to the LDS IGI Individual Record (Source
Information: Film Number: 456288). This date matches the one
written in the Bronson family bible in my possession.
-
- I have a book of versus written by Andrew Best Knapp's
son, Bostwick Alfred Knapp (1842-1926), which details his childhood
in Sherburne, New York, the family's drive westford, life in
Oshkosh, and general thoughts on the state of the world during
his life.
-
- Courtesy of Christine
Elizabeth Pearce
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