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.