City of Philadelphia Death Certificate

A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present

https://archive.org/details/historyofcaliforsccts01guin

Harrie Clayton Knapp.

One who through natural gifts and training has been led to select electrical engineering as his vocation in life may be congratulated upon his choice, for its possibilities seem indefinite, each day revealing new wonders and accomplishments of which the father of electricity had no thought. From the time of his graduation as a mechanical and electrical engineer in 1881 until 1904 Mr. Knapp had given his efforts almost exclusively to work along this line, and it was with this practical knowledge that in April of 1904 he entered the employ of the California Cement Company as superintendent of power.

• The ancestry of the Knapp family can be traced in direct line to the great-great-grandfather, who was at of Holland-Dutch extraction and as a participant in the Revolutionary war fought nobly in behalf of the colonies. The son of the latter had inherited in a large measure the patriotic spirit of his sire, for in the war of 1812 he rose from the ranks until he was made colonel of his regiment. The martial tendencies of two generations fell to the grandfather, who through well advanced in years at the time of the Civil war, performed well his part in bringing hostilities to a close. For many generations the family had lived and flourished in Pennsylvania, and it was in that state that the father, Coleman F. Knapp was born and reared. He was a chemist and a manufacturer of perfumery in Philadelphia, and there his death occurred. During his young manhood he had married the woman of his choice, Miss Margaret Bowes, who was a descendant of French antecedents, and like himself was a native of Philadelphia. She is a daughter of Jacob Bowes, who by trade was a manufacturer of furniture. Mrs. Knapp is still living and now makes her home in Los Angeles.

Of the eight children who originally gathered around the parental fireside H. C Knapp is the eldest and all are living with one exception. Born in Philadelphia February 11, 1862, his early years were spent in the public schools of his native city, a later privilege awaiting him in the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1881, having taken the course in mechanical and electrical engineering. With the opening of the next term he matriculated as a student in the post-graduate course, completing it three years later. The following year 1885, he secured a position with the United States Electric Illuminating Company, working up from the lowest round of the ladder. Such was his devotion to the duties which fell to him that in two years he felt himself in a position to engage in business on his own account, so frugally had he saved his earnings. For one year he engaged in the manufacture of paper boxes in Philadelphia, and after spending one year in Chicago, once more resumed business in his native city.

Mr. Knapp's identification with the west dates from July, 1892, at which time he went to Portland, Ore,. Where he became interested financially with the Aimslee Lumber Company. A devastating fire reduced the plant to ashes some time later and he lost all that he had put into it. After this experience he came to California in 1895, locating in San Francisco, where for a time he was in the employ of the Land of Sunshine Company. It was at this point in his career that a favorable opening in the line of his professional training came to him and he availed himself of the opportunity. As electrical engineer he had entire charge of the survey for the first electrical railroad in the Yosemite Valley, to run from Merced to Yosemite. However, this railroad was never built. Three years later he went to Los Angeles, and as traveling engineer in the employ of the Anglo-American Company had charge of the company's plants at San Bernardino, Redondo and Phoenix. Ariz., as chief engineer. As assistant chief engineer of the Redlands Electrical Company he was stationed at Mill Creek canon for a time, later accepting a position with the San Bernardino Valley Traction Company, his duties consisting entirely in the installation of new machinery, and he had the honor of running the first car sent out by the company. A later position was with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, where as in his former position he assisted in the installation of the electrical apparatus in the company's ne' shops. It was in April of 1904 that he assumed the duties of his present position as superintendent of power with the California Portland Cement Company. His wide range of experience in electrical engineering makes his services invaluable to the company, who recognize and appreciate this fact in a substantial way.

Mr. Knapp has a pleasant residence in Colton, which is presided over by his capable wife, who before her marriage was Miss Marie Thompson. She was born in Lincoln, Neb., and her marriage was celebrated in San Bernardino. In his political preferences Mr. Knapp is a Republican, and in his religious connections he is a member of the Episcopal Church, which is now serving in the capacity of vestryman. The only fraternal order of which he is a member is of the Knights of Pythias, while in the line of his profession he holds membership in the American Society of Electrical Engineers.

A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present

https://archive.org/details/historyofcaliforsccts01guin

Harrie Clayton Knapp.

One who through natural gifts and training has been led to select electrical engineering as his vocation in life may be congratulated upon his choice, for its possibilities seem indefinite, each day revealing new wonders and accomplishments of which the father of electricity had no thought. From the time of his graduation as a mechanical and electrical engineer in 1881 until 1904 Mr. Knapp had given his efforts almost exclusively to work along this line, and it was with this practical knowledge that in April of 1904 he entered the employ of the California Cement Company as superintendent of power.

• The ancestry of the Knapp family can be traced in direct line to the great-great-grandfather, who was at of Holland-Dutch extraction and as a participant in the Revolutionary war fought nobly in behalf of the colonies. The son of the latter had inherited in a large measure the patriotic spirit of his sire, for in the war of 1812 he rose from the ranks until he was made colonel of his regiment. The martial tendencies of two generations fell to the grandfather, who through well advanced in years at the time of the Civil war, performed well his part in bringing hostilities to a close. For many generations the family had lived and flourished in Pennsylvania, and it was in that state that the father, Coleman F. Knapp was born and reared. He was a chemist and a manufacturer of perfumery in Philadelphia, and there his death occurred. During his young manhood he had married the woman of his choice, Miss Margaret Bowes, who was a descendant of French antecedents, and like himself was a native of Philadelphia. She is a daughter of Jacob Bowes, who by trade was a manufacturer of furniture. Mrs. Knapp is still living and now makes her home in Los Angeles.

Of the eight children who originally gathered around the parental fireside H. C Knapp is the eldest and all are living with one exception. Born in Philadelphia February 11, 1862, his early years were spent in the public schools of his native city, a later privilege awaiting him in the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1881, having taken the course in mechanical and electrical engineering. With the opening of the next term he matriculated as a student in the post-graduate course, completing it three years later. The following year 1885, he secured a position with the United States Electric Illuminating Company, working up from the lowest round of the ladder. Such was his devotion to the duties which fell to him that in two years he felt himself in a position to engage in business on his own account, so frugally had he saved his earnings. For one year he engaged in the manufacture of paper boxes in Philadelphia, and after spending one year in Chicago, once more resumed business in his native city.

Mr. Knapp's identification with the west dates from July, 1892, at which time he went to Portland, Ore,. Where he became interested financially with the Aimslee Lumber Company. A devastating fire reduced the plant to ashes some time later and he lost all that he had put into it. After this experience he came to California in 1895, locating in San Francisco, where for a time he was in the employ of the Land of Sunshine Company. It was at this point in his career that a favorable opening in the line of his professional training came to him and he availed himself of the opportunity. As electrical engineer he had entire charge of the survey for the first electrical railroad in the Yosemite Valley, to run from Merced to Yosemite. However, this railroad was never built. Three years later he went to Los Angeles, and as traveling engineer in the employ of the Anglo-American Company had charge of the company's plants at San Bernardino, Redondo and Phoenix. Ariz., as chief engineer. As assistant chief engineer of the Redlands Electrical Company he was stationed at Mill Creek canon for a time, later accepting a position with the San Bernardino Valley Traction Company, his duties consisting entirely in the installation of new machinery, and he had the honor of running the first car sent out by the company. A later position was with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, where as in his former position he assisted in the installation of the electrical apparatus in the company's ne' shops. It was in April of 1904 that he assumed the duties of his present position as superintendent of power with the California Portland Cement Company. His wide range of experience in electrical engineering makes his services invaluable to the company, who recognize and appreciate this fact in a substantial way.

Mr. Knapp has a pleasant residence in Colton, which is presided over by his capable wife, who before her marriage was Miss Marie Thompson. She was born in Lincoln, Neb., and her marriage was celebrated in San Bernardino. In his political preferences Mr. Knapp is a Republican, and in his religious connections he is a member of the Episcopal Church, which is now serving in the capacity of vestryman. The only fraternal order of which he is a member is of the Knights of Pythias, while in the line of his profession he holds membership in the American Society of Electrical Engineers.

Philadelphia Directory for ... containing the names of the inhabitants, their occupations, places of business, and dwelling houses: Ab ed. 26 m. d. Tit. : McElroy's Philadelphia city directory, Volume 26
MacElroy - January 1, 1863
Biddle - Publisher

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