Knapp, Fred 1847-1923

KNAPP

Posted By: Mary Holub (email)
Date: 11/28/2018 at 20:50:52

From: Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, December 28, 1923

HOMESTEADED IN FLOYD VALLEY

Fred Knapp Early Settler in Plymouth Township, is Taken By Death

Fred Knapp, one of the pioneers of Plymouth county, died at the home of his son-in-law, G. E. Berner, 600 Third Ave. S. E., at four o’clock Thursday morning. Death was due to diabetes and contributory causes, from which he had suffered for some years.

Fred Knapp was born in Wittenberg, Germany May 11, 1847. When he was five years old his parents started for America to seek a new home. They both died on the voyage. Fred Knapp spent his boyhood days and early youth in Baltimore where he remained until he attained his majority. From there he came to Plymouth county in company with the late Leonard Koenig, who was one of the early settlers in Floyd valley.

Mr. Knapp homesteaded land in Plymouth township and developed the land into a fine farm and resided there until recent years when he made his home in Merrill for about six years and for the past two and a half years made his home in Le Mars with his daughter, Mrs. G. E. Berner. The year he homesteaded he was united in marriage to Miss Rose Karley, who preceded him in death twelve years ago. He leave to mourn his death twelve children who are Mrs. G. E. Berner, Le Mars; Fred Knapp, Worthington, Minn., George Knapp, Los Angeles, Cal.; Edward Knapp, Stanton township; Mrs. G. B. Waterman, Hollywood, Cal.; A. W. Knapp, residing on the old home place; Newton Ben Knapp, Los Angeles, Cal.; Rueben Knapp, Sioux City; Mrs. A. J. Grimes, Merrill; Ben Knapp, Johnson township; Clarence Knapp, Anaheim, Cal.; Howard Knapp, who makes his home with his brother, Edward. One daughter died in infancy. There are sixteen grandchildren and one great grandson.

Fred Knapp was widely known in the county and enjoyed the respect and esteem of the community. He was prominent in community affairs and in earlier days held various offices in the township. He was a lifelong member of the Evangelical church and was active in the affairs of the church and the Sunday school. He was an affectionate husband and father and a good neighbor, always willing to lend a helping hand.

The funeral will be held on Saturday from the house at one o’clock and services will be held at Hildreth Memorial church at 1:30, Rev. J. W. Davis officiating. The interment will be made in the Stanton township cemetery in the family burying plot.