Perry Knapp-b.1822 NY d. Michigan
HILLSDALE CO.,MI - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH p.837-838
PERRY KNAPP, probably the oldest living settler of Wheatland Township, is the son of Stephen Knapp, who came with his family to the Territory of Michigan in 1834, and put up the first barn in Wheatland Township, which structure is still standing, and located on the present farm of our subject on section 14. The father, from a tract of wild land built up the homestead which his son Perry now occupies, and where he spent the remainder of his life after coming to the West, passing away in March, 1866, at the ripe old age of nearly fourscore years. The mother had died when a young woman.
Our subject was born in Monroe Co.,NY., Aug 13, 1822. His parents Stephen and Jane (Freelove) Knapp, were natives of Rockland Co.,N.Y., where they were married, and in the Empire State became the parents of six children,four girls and two boys. The mother of these children died in Monroe Co.,N.Y. Stephen Knapp was afterward twice married, and by the three marriages fifteen children. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents of our subject spent their last days in New York State.
The paternal grandfather, Jared Knapp, was born near Horse Neck, CT Feb.20th, 1749, and married Jane Williams, whose birth took place March 16,1751. He died July 1829. They had moved to Rockland Co.,N.Y. where were born to them ten children, nine boys and a girl, of whom Stephen, the father of our subject, was the fifth child, his birth taking place Aug.18th, 1786. All lived to mature years.Stephen Knapp followed wagon-making there about ten years, and was a man who naturally became a leader in the community wherever he lived. He was well posted upon political matters, and although never aspiring to office, filled many positions of trust and responsibility. His death took place March 29th,1866. James Knapp, the only full brother of our subject, is a well-to-do farmer of Wheatland Township, living about half a mile north of Perry.
The subject of this sketch left home when eighteen years of age, his father giving him his time, and making his own way to the young town of Adrian,MI, he commenced work in a brickyard. Two years later he took up carpentering, and thereafter followed this for about twenty years in Toledo,OH, and Southern Michigan. In 1853 he crossed the plains to California, driving stock west of the Missouri River, the trip occupying 115 days. He remained on the Pacific Slope two and one-half years, then returned and located on the farm where he now lives-the old homestead of his father which he purchased of the heirs a few years after returning from California.
Previous to this, however, Sept. 29th, 1848, our subject had been united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Church, who was born in Wayne Co.,N.Y. Feb.15,1828, and is the daughter of Lorenzo and Susan (Halleck) Church. Mrs.Knapp was reared to womanhood in the State of Michigan, having come West with her parents in the year 1838. The four children born of their union with our subject are recorded as follows..Frank J. Knapp who is now traveling in the interest of a carriage factory, was born Dec.27th, 1849 and married Miss Ella Bishop, by whom he has become the father of one child, a daughter, Mary Knapp b. Oct. 17th, 1882. Jesse F. Knapp was born Feb.7th, 1856, and married Elmer D. Sabin, of Wheatland Township. Fredrick C.Knapp, who is manager of the National Tea Company, in East Saginaw, was born April 4th, 1866, and remains in single blessedness. Lydia Knapp was born April 10, 1864 and died on Aug.4th, 1864.
Mrs. Ella Knapp, the wife of Frank J. Knapp, the eldest son of our subject, was born in Wayne Co.,PA Dec. 7th, 1848.
The present residence of our subject was put up by him in 1866, and the improvements which are viewed today with admiration by the passing traveler have been mostly effected through his own personal supervision. The land, exceedingly fertile, has been carefully cultivated, yielding the richest crops of Southern Michigan. Mr. Knapp has been connected with the Hillsdale and Lenawee Counties Farmer's Union and Horticultural Society, of which he is now President, and has held every office except that of Treasurer in Wheatland Grange No.,272. In politics he is a Republican.
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Re: Perry Knapp-b.1822 NY d. Michigan
4/03/01
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Re: Perry Knapp-b.1822 NY d. Michigan
Denise Ready 4/03/01
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Re: Perry Knapp-b.1822 NY d. Michigan
4/03/01
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Re: Perry Knapp-b.1822 NY d. Michigan
suzanne vittone 10/30/06
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Re: Perry Knapp-b.1822 NY d. Michigan
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Re: Perry Knapp-b.1822 NY d. Michigan
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Re: Perry Knapp-b.1822 NY d. Michigan
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Re: Perry Knapp-b.1822 NY d. Michigan
3/25/01