Governor of Alaska District. He graduated from Middlebury College in 1862 and enlisted for the Civil War in Company I, 16th Vermont Infantry, of which he was elected captain and commander. He remained in the position until the end of his nine-month enlistment and was wounded while taking part in the repulse of Pickett's charge at the Battle of Gettysburg. After his enlistment expired, he returned to Vermont and raised Company F, 17th Vermont Infantry, which he commanded as a Captain. Knapp fought at Spottsylvania and Petersburg and numerous other actions, was wounded twice more, and received promotions to Major and Lieutenant Colonel. After the war he taught school, was an owner and editor of the Middlebury Register newspaper, and was Assistant Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives. Knapp also studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1876 and served in numerous local offices, including Chairman of the Addison County Republican Committee, Justice of the Peace, Probate Judge and member of the Vermont House of Representatives from 1886 to 1887. In 1884 Alaska was designated a federal district with a civil government and a Governor appointed by the President, and in 1889 Knapp was appointed Governor. During his term he was the founder and first President of the Alaska Historical Society. After leaving office in 1893 he moved to Seattle, where he practiced law until his death.
Governor of Alaska District. He graduated from Middlebury College in 1862 and enlisted for the Civil War in Company I, 16th Vermont Infantry, of which he was elected captain and commander. He remained in the position until the end of his nine-month enlistment and was wounded while taking part in the repulse of Pickett's charge at the Battle of Gettysburg. After his enlistment expired, he returned to Vermont and raised Company F, 17th Vermont Infantry, which he commanded as a Captain. Knapp fought at Spottsylvania and Petersburg and numerous other actions, was wounded twice more, and received promotions to Major and Lieutenant Colonel. After the war he taught school, was an owner and editor of the Middlebury Register newspaper, and was Assistant Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives. Knapp also studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1876 and served in numerous local offices, including Chairman of the Addison County Republican Committee, Justice of the Peace, Probate Judge and member of the Vermont House of Representatives from 1886 to 1887. In 1884 Alaska was designated a federal district with a civil government and a Governor appointed by the President, and in 1889 Knapp was appointed Governor. During his term he was the founder and first President of the Alaska Historical Society. After leaving office in 1893 he moved to Seattle, where he practiced law until his death.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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