The subject of this sketch is of German parentage, and was born in the Fatherland. From friends who preceded him he learned of the free institutions of this country and the chances there were for everyone who desired to attain prosperity. In the year 1854 he concluded to emigrate to America, and in the spring of that year landed at New York. After remaining in New York a short time he proceeded to Allegheny, Pa., where he secured employment for nearly three years, when he concluded to join in the tide of western emigration, and with it drifted to Jo Daviess County, where he lived until the spring of 1864. In that year, with his wife and one child, he changed his location and settled in Loran Township, Stephenson County, where he has since resided and surrounded himself with many comforts.

In July, 1859, Mr. Knapp was united in marriage to Mary Shantz. Mrs. Knapp was born in Germany on the 2d of March, 1842. When her parents emigrated to the United States she was but five years of age, and her impressions of the old country are therefore very meager. Her parents are dead. During their wedded life there have gathered around their hearthstone eleven children, eight of whom are living; three are lying in the churchyard. Those who yet live to comfort their parents and make their pathway down the hill of life pleasant, are Louisa, Charles, Anna, John, Mary, Clara, Maggie and Bennie. George, who was a particularly bright boy, died when he was a little over four years of age; two others died in infancy.

In religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Knapp are Methodists and have long been members of that church. Having arrived in this country in the period immediately preceding the war, Mr. Knapp became thoroughly imbued with the spirit of freedom prevailing in the North at that time. On account of the impressions thus early received he has ever since cast his destinies with, and his votes for the Republican party. He has never sought or held office, but has been content to exercise the privileges of an elector through purely patriotic motives.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 262