The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-08-31
FATHER OF MAS0NARY.
Mr.. Christian Frederick Knapp, Of Blooms
burg, pam Almost Unparalleled
Record.

sonic circles in the United States, and
the foremost in Pennsylvania, is Mr..
Christian Frederick Knapp, of Blooms.
burg. None is better versed in the
mysteries of Missionary than Mr.
Knapp, whose life has been almost en-.
tirely devoted to furthering the inter
ests Of that ancient order. Beginning
with the first step in Missionary he has
held almost every Office within its
jurisdiction, and, in 1870, received
the order of Grand Cross, dstinc.
ton enjoyed by but so living mem.
bers IN any one nation. Socially and
fraternally his friends are legion, and
during his Masonic career he has been
feted and banqueted innumerable
times, Many handsome presents OF
which he has been the recipient be-
speak in a small measure the esteem
in which he is held Masonically.
Certainly nothing SO 6ttingly ex-
presses Mr. Knapp's standing than
the title, "The Father of Masonary,"
by which he is known throughout the
length and breadth of the land. Mr..
Knapp is of German parentage, being
born in the city of Besigheim, Wurt-
emburg, Germany, October IL, 1922,
the son of John Battas Knapp. When
he was but youth his father came to
this country and resided in and near
Philadelphia until his death. His faith
er figured quite prominently in the
political fortunes of Europe, acting as
an aid-de-camp on Napoleon's staff
during the memorable Russian cam
paign, being at the burning of Mos
COW, and at the battle of Berdlne.
Mr.. Knapp was we'll fitted by his
father, who was an excellent student,
for the prominent part which he has
taken during his many years of active
work. Prior to establishing himself in
the fire insurance business in which
he has been engaged for years, he
served as deputy revenue collector
during Lincoln's administration Mas.
onically his career began on Septem-
Der 20, 1851, when he received his
first degree in Free Missionary in the
Danville lodge No. 224, F. & A. NJ,
the second and third degrees follow
ing in October and November res
pectively. He organized the Wash.
ington lodge No. a65 Of Bloomsburg
in January, 1852, resigning from the
Danville lodge for that purpose. He
was its first junior warden. then worthy
master and secretary in quick success
ion, the latter position being filled by
him until the present day. AT this
time he was appointed by the right
worthy grand master as district deputy
grand master for the counties of Union,
Snyder, Northumberland, Montour,
Columbia and Wyoming. After filling
this Office for eight years he resigned
it. The Mark Master degree in Cir
ard Mark lodge, at Philadelphia, was
received by him in 1854, those OF
Most Excellent and Royal Arch de-
gree in the Catawissa chapter No. I7S,
and of which he served as district
deputy grand high priest for six years.
In 1860 he obtained charter for the
Bloomsburg chapter No. 21S, RAW,
of which chapter he has served as sec.
retary since its beginning. He was
knighted by Charles Blumenthal,
grand master, in Park encampment
No. II, K. T., and appendant order
on March 6, 1886; in May, 1886, he
received charter for Crusade com.
mandely No. I2, X. T., and was the
first eminent command er, serving for
three years. In May, 1857, he was
elected grand captain general; in 1858,
grand generalissimo; in 1850, grand
deputy grand commander, and in 1860
grand right eminent grand command
er of the Grand commandery of Penn,
sylvania. From 1862 to 1863, in
elusive, he served as grand lecturer of
the Knights Templar of Pennsylvania
and during 1864 and 1865 he was
elected grand division commander ol
the state.
Mr.. Knapp took the Council de-
grees in Palestine council, No. 9, OF
r. and S. Masters, at Pottstown, on
November 81, 1856, but soon resign
ed so that he might start a council Of
S. M. at Bloomsbury. He was made
M. P. G. M. of Pennsylvania by AL
fred Creigh, Ii. D., and in the same
year obtained a charter for Noun,
Moriah council No. 10. When it was
organized be became its second off
Ger, served four years from 1857 as T
/. G.. NJ, and in I36I was elected re.
corder, position which he has since
filled. From 1868 until 1876 and
he served as M. P. G. M. of Pennsyl
vania, after which he retired.
He took the degrees A. A. S. rite
from the fourth to the eighteenth, in.
elusive, IN May, 1886, and at the
Harrisburg Consistory the same veal