The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-08-13
George KnapD,

George Knapp died at the residence of his
step-son, c. E. Davis, in Ravenna, August 3,
1890, of paralysis.
Father Knapp, as he was Familiarity called,
was born in Northampton, Mass, March 24th,
1899, and was the fourth child and third son of
a family of fourteen children, born to Lemuel
and Hannah Munyon Knapp.
In 1875 he came with his fathers family to
Ohio. They were forty-two days on the road
with an OK team, and their hardships were no
exception to those experienced in those days of
pioneer hardships and deprivations in travel.
They came directly to Portage county, and set
tied on Foeshie Qater known as Farnham( hill
in Charlestowr township. Eventually the fami-
ly settled one mile south of the original location
and it has been the continuous residence of the
family and some of its descendants ever since
The street was called Knapp street, and still re-
tains its name.
In July, 1921, the subject of this obituary
married Mrs. Elizabeth Edwards Days. Eight
children were born to them, of whom six lived
to maturity. Those living now are Lydia A.
Esther A, Lemuel G., and Edmund, all married
and residents of Garrettsville, o.
In 1924 he returned to his native State, walk
ing the entire distance of over goo miles. There
he spent the Summer, making brick.
In 1858 he and his wife visited the home of
their birth, making the trip in less number of
hours than the days required in the original
journey to Ohio.
The fourteen children that were born to his
father and mother all lived to maturity and met
in reunion at the old home once, and only once,
and sat down with the father and mother, an
unbroken family. Since that day, one after an
other were summoned from time to eternity,
until there is but one survivor-Hiram Knapp
who lives at South Byron, NY.
Father Knapp was one of the pioneers of this
section, his entire life, since coming to Ohio,
having been passed in Charlestown. Ravenna,
Brimfeld, and Garrettsville.
In 1896 or 1927 he came to Ravenna and
worked at his trade of brick moulding on the
E. A. Babcock farm, north of the village Lin
coin Avenue was subsequently opened through
the very spot where he dug the clay. The next
year two of his brothers came over and the
three engaged in making bricks just north OF
where the Goeppinger tannery now stands.
Mr.. Knapp moulded by hand every brick in the
old part of the court house, there being no such
thing known as a brick machine known at that
day.
He went to Garrettsville some fifteen years ago
from Charlestown shortly after the death of his
wife, and made his home with his children up
to the time of his DEATH
The latter part of last June he came to Ra-
VIENNA with his son Edmund and family, pur-
posing to visit among relatives. and then return
to Garrettsville. While visiting at his STEP
sons, c. E. Davis, east of town, the old gentle
man had severe fall, which produced a paral-
ytC stroke, and he gradually became worse until
death resulted.
His funeral was held Wednesday, at 2 D. M,
at the Universalist Church, Rev. Andrew Will
son delivering a very appropriate sermon and
review of his long and useful life. Mr.. Knapp
had years previously designated to the pastor
the text of Scripture TO be used on the occasion
of his funeral. He also during his final sick
ness, expressed his desire that his body be con-
veyed to the Universalist church, and that Mr..
Wilson preach his funeral sermon.
In religious convictions and identity he early
embraced the Univelsalist faith, and was one of
the founders of the first Universalist society of
Rayenna. He retained this belief up to his last
moment, but in later years added to his faith the
certainty of occular and auricular demonstration
Of a life beyond the grave, and for years was
firmly persuaded of the truth of the phenomena
known as Spiritualism. So strong was this con-
victon, that it became to him an absolute GER
tainty, and was a source of great comfort and
consolation to him. He regarded death in the
Light of a blessing, and in the feebleness of old
age, eagerly welcomed the moment when he
should be released from the frailties of the NOR
tai to the higher privileges of spirit life. He
departed in the full assurance of meeting those
near and dear to him, who had closed their eyes
to earthly scenes long years ago.
Mr.. Knapp was well and favorably known by
a wide circle of friends His life was testi-
monial of the qualities that make men honored
and respected. He was industrious, kind to his
family and those dependent upon him, stead
fast friend and good citizen. His work in life
was fasthfully done, and he died in the happy
realization that the reward incident to obeying
the golden rule would be his.
Mr.. Knapp was a man of great decision of
character, and though not aggressive, was i'm
movable in his decisions, based upon thorough
investigation, in his religious and political tenets.
He was man of extensive reading, and COM
manded respect for his enlightened views upon
current topics and momentous questions of the
day. His education was considered liberal at
the time of its requirement. being, as he was,
a graduate of Tallmadge Academy.