Category Archives: Knapp

James Knapp choose an unusual and infamous bride, Elizabeth Brau or Brandtt. Elizabeth not only came with a history of being the sole survivor of her family after an attack by Native American Indians, but the small child was allegedly rescued by the James Brothers, the famous Frank and Jesse James. Together, they had 7 children until James Knapp’s death, then she married again and had 6 more children until his death, then she married again, this time to Charles Knapp, her first husband’s brother. The descendants of the Knapp children began their colorful backwoods life in Wisconsin, then migrated to Oregon and Washington State where some married into the famous Chief Seattle (Sealth) family, which in our family tree is now known as the Elwell family.

A Railroad Tragedy Poem – Melvin Knapp 1906-1943

The following is the poem and story of the death of Wayne’s brother, Melvin Edward Knapp, born July 28, 1906, Wausaukee, Wisconsin, and died of a train accident November 28, 1943. He was married to Helen Griffiths, July 28, 1906, … Continue reading


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Marinette County, Wisconsin: Research Links and Online Resources

Marinette County, Wisconsin: Research Links and Online Resources

Many of my ancestors lived in Marinette County, Wisconsin, for much of their lives. The Knapp family lived in and around Taylor Rapids, a defunct logging camp town along the Peshtigo River that is now state forest land and completely … Continue reading


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My First Chaw Of Tobacco

My First Chaw Of Tobacco

This is another childhood story by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994), telling about his first time he and his brother, Wayne Knapp, chewed tobacco. The Clemmens/Clemens family of Kentucky are mentioned. The story takes place in July of 1925 near Taylor … Continue reading


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The Castaway

The winter rain came down in sheets, Drenching the fields, and flooding the streets, Driven by winds that howled and screamed, Like the nightmarish plot of a devil’s dream! Oh, pity the soul without warmth of friends, With no one … Continue reading


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Cooking On The Tug Boat Skagit Chief

Cooking On The Tug Boat Skagit Chief

The following is another story by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994) of his years working on the The Skagit Chief tug boat towing logs on the Skagit River and Puget Sound in Washington State during the 1930-1950s. People mentioned include Captain … Continue reading


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Lost On The Sand Plains and Woods Of Wisconsin

Lost On The Sand Plains and Woods Of Wisconsin

The following is another story by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994) about his childhood growing up in Marinette County in the northeastern corner of Wisconsin, in the logging camp town of Taylor Rapids, just south of Goodman. The events in this … Continue reading


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Wisconsin Family History Detectives Flock to Marinette County

Wisconsin Family History Detectives Flock to Marinette County

The Marinette Times of Marinette County, Wisconsin, has an interesting article on “Quests for family roots draw history detectives to Marinette”, a county important to my own family’s history. It was five years ago in April that the new genealogy … Continue reading


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Online Book: History of Door County, Wisconsin – The County Beautiful

Online Book: History of Door County, Wisconsin - The County Beautiful

Ancestry.com has released the book “History of Door County, Wisconsin – the county beautiful” by Hjalmar Rued Holand for their registered members. Published in 1917, the book includes biographies of local popular and influential citizens, the history of Door County, … Continue reading


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Snohomish County: An Illustrated History Book

Snohomish County: An Illustrated History Book

It took ten years but the amazing book on the history of Snohomish County, Washington, is now available. “Snohomish County: An Illustrated History” features 432 pages packed with geological, environmental, historical, social, and political history of Snohomish County. There are … Continue reading


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A Little Troublemaker in Taylor Rapids, Wisconsin

A Little Troublemaker in Taylor Rapids, Wisconsin

The following is another story by Robert Knapp (1913-1994) about his childhood growing up in Northern Wisconsin, in a small logging community called Taylor Rapids, not far from Goodman. While the logging camps, homes, school, and human occupation of the … Continue reading


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