Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-10-21
Lynn an E. Knapp Dead.

the following particulars of the sickness
and death of Lyman E. Knapp, once
well known and highly esteemed citizen
of Middlebury
Lyman E. Knapp, former governor
of Alaska, and one of the best known
citizens of Seattle, died at the Seattle
general hospital at 1920 o'clock the
morning of Oct. o. He had been suf-
ferer for more than year. Death re-
suited from an operation.
Mr.. Knapp was a lawyer. He was
active in municipal affairs and worker
in the cause of reform. AS member of
the First Presbyterian church he took a
great interest in religious affairs. He
was state president of the Anti-Saloon
League and always worker in the cause
of temperance
Friends of Mr.. Knapp speak of him as
man of high moral character, sterling
integrity and wonderful courage. AS
professional man he commanded respect
from his associates and universal esteem.
He was quiet and unassuming, yet could
not be swerved from an opinion once he
believed himself right.
He was born Nov. 8, 1887, in Somerset,
VT, the third in direct descent from
Capt. job Knapp, of the war of the
Revolution. After graduating from
Middlebury College in 1862 he enlisted as
a private in the Union army, Company l,
Sixteenth regiment Vermont Volunteers,
but was elected and commissioned cap
tain of his company before nine months
had passed. In the battle of Gettysburg
he was wounded in the right shoulder.
After recovery he re-enlisted, raised a
company of volunteers and commanded
that company. Later as field officer of
the regiment and its commander, he
served in Grants famous Wilderness
campaign in 1864. The Seventeeth regi-
ment, to which Mr.. Knapp then belonged,
saw very severe service. He was en-
gagged in fourteen of the historic battles
of the war He was second time
wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania
burg. He was promoted major Oct. 2j,
1864, and Northumberland in the De-
cember following. He was with his
regiment in all its battles, and COM
manded it in two of them. When
wounded at Petersburg he was in COM
mand, but remained at his post and
was breveted by the president "for gal
liant and meritorious conduct in the
| field"
After the war Col. Knapp took up
journalism and edited the Middlebury
Register. In connection with literary
work he read law, and was admitted to
In law, as in every other work of his
life, he was successful. For two years he
held the position of judge of the Addison
probate court of Vermont and had been
elected for another term of two years
when he resigned to accept the Office of
governor of Alaska. He had served also
in the Vermont house of representatives
and held various other positions of honor
and trust in the state of Vermont.
In March, 1899, Mr.. Knapp was
appointed by President Harrison governor
of Alaska. In those early days of
Alaska's history the office of chief execu-
tive was peculiarly trying one. 1t
required courage and tact to govern a
country in its primitive period. Gov.
knapp's duties were exceeding onerous
and his responsibilities heavy. He loved
the territory and gave himself heart and
soul to his work, accomplishing several
reforms most important in the history OF
Alaska's growth
In the fall of 1898 Gov. Knapp and
family came to Seattle. He was promi-
nent member of the King County Bar
Association, Loyal Legion, Sons of Ameri-
can Revolution and Grand Army of the
Republic, in which he was commander
of John F. Miller Post for one year.
In whatever work Mr. Knapp was en-
gagged he was leader. In 1892 Whit
man College conferred upon him the
honorary degree of LII. d.
For several years Mr.. Knapp had been
great sufferer. Twice within the past
20 months he underwent surgical opera
tons, the last time with fatal results.
He is survived by his widow and four
children, George E. Knapp, North Yaki-
ma; Mrs. Everett R. Morgan, Granite
Falls; Edwin l.. Knapp, Bellingham, and
Mary A. Knapp, Seattle.