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.

Help Needed: Train Derailment in Northern Wisconsin 1917

Posted on August 7, 2006 by Lorelle VanFossen

Reference.com has a list of “Notable Historic Train and Rail Accidents” that includes many international train wrecks and disasters. I have a note in a journal by Emma (Primley) Knapp about a train derailment at Glyem Spurr near Taylor Rapids … Continue reading →


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My First Job Working Logging Camps in Wisconsin

Posted on August 3, 2006 by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994)

The following story is told by Robert Knapp (1913-1994) of his first job in the logging camps of northern Wisconsin, around the Taylor Rapids – Goodman area in Marinette County. The events in this story happened in the winter of … Continue reading →


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Towing Logs On The Skagit River

Posted on August 1, 2006 by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994)

The following story by Robert Knapp (1913-1994) was written as part of a creative writing class. It highlights the rough life and work of towing logs on the Skagit River in Washington State during the 1930-1950s. People mentioned include Captain … Continue reading →


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Trapped On The Island

Posted on July 31, 2006 by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994)

The following tale was written by Robert Knapp (1913-1994) as part of creative writing classes he took in his later years. The story is about an adventure with his brothers, Wayne P. and Lloyd Knapp. His mother, Emma (Primley) Knapp, … Continue reading →


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Knapp Family Journal 1916-1924: Chronological Version

Posted on July 22, 2006 by Lorelle VanFossen

The following is an edited version of the transcript of the “Knapp Family Journal 1916-1924”. In an attempt to learn more about their life in Taylor Rapids, Wisconsin, I’ve removed the poetry, songs, quotes, and hand tracings to leave only … Continue reading →


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Knapp Family Journal 1916-1924

Posted on July 22, 2006 by Lorelle VanFossen

The following is a transcript of the “Journal of Emma Beatrice Primley Knapp from 1918-1924”, which we call the “Knapp Family Journal 1916-1924”. Emma Beatrice (Primley) Knapp was wife of James Knapp Jr., and daughter of Robert and Kathryn Primley. … Continue reading →


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Emma Beatrice Primley Knapp (1886-1960) Obituary

Posted on July 22, 2006 by Lorelle VanFossen

Emma Beatrice Primley Knapp circa 1920s The following is the obituary of Emma Beatrice (Primley) Knapp, wife of James Knapp Jr., and mother of Allen, Lloyd, Robert, Wayne, Nora, Maurice Glenn, Clayton, and Melvin. She was born in Morgan, Onconto … Continue reading →


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Seeley Primley (1884-1967) Obituary

Posted on July 20, 2006 by Lorelle VanFossen

The following obituary for Seeley Primley (1884-1967) was found in the scrapbook of Emma Beatrice (Primley) Knapp glued onto the same page as the newspaper article and obituary for Seneca Primley. We are still seeking the name of the newspaper … Continue reading →


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Seneca Primley (1871-1966) Spanish-American War Vet Dies After Parade

Posted on July 20, 2006 by Lorelle VanFossen

Seneca and Mabel Primley, circa 1910. From the book “The Early Years in Taylor Rapids”. Seneca Primley (1871-1966) was the brother of Emma Beatrice Primley who married James Knapp Jr.. We know very little about the Primley family so far. … Continue reading →


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Finding the Reward in Copying Other People’s Work Across Time

Posted on July 7, 2006 by Lorelle VanFossen

As mentioned recently, I’ve been working on transcribing the journal, written pages, and notes found in the many papers of the Knapp side of my family, and I’ve run into some problems finding credits for the work they have written, … Continue reading →


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