ELIEZER C. KNAPP, Gun Plain Twp., Allegan Co., Michigan

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History of Allegan and Barry Counties, Michigan, with Illustrations and 
Biographical Sketches of their Prominent Men and Pioneers.
Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co.  1880.  Press of J. B. Lippincott & 
Co., Philadelphia.

Eliezer C. Knapp was born April 14, 1828, in the town of Pine Plains, 
Dutchess Co., N. Y.  He is of Scotch origin, his ancestors on his 
father's side having emigrated from Scotland.  Peter Knapp, the father 
of Eliezer, was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., where he resided on the 
farm of his father until 1834, when he moved into Wayne County, same 
State, and bought a farm in the town of Arcadia, on which he resided 
until his death, in 1848.  Eliezer grew to manhood on the home-farm, 
learning early that boys as well as men were destined to earn their 
living by the sweat of their brow.  Arrived at his majority, he started 
out in life for himself, his capital consisting of health, strength, 
and determination to carve out for himself a successful future.  His 
first work was in a warehouse in the village of Newark, where he worked 
one year.  Then for a couple of years he found employment in a 
machine-shop in Newark, and at the carpenter's trade in Clyde.  In the 
spring of 1852, having been in poor health for several months, he 
started for California, his physician having recommended a change of 
climate.  He went by the Nicaragua route, and arrived in San Francisco 
in July, 1852.  Soon after his arrival he went up the north fork of the 
American River and engaged in mining.  In the fall he went to 
Sacramento, and there worked at his trade for a short time, when he 
went to Marysville and took charge of a machine-shop, a position he 
held until the spring of 1854, when he returned to the States with but 
little more money than when he had left home.  Soon after his return he 
came to Michigan, and in the town of Gun Plain bought the farm he now 
owns, running almost entirely in debt for it.  There were no buildings 
and but twenty acres improved.  By his management and labor the farm 
has become one of the fine farms of the township, with good buildings 
and nearly all improved, while to it he has added, until it now 
comprises one hundred and forty-six acres, the result of untiring 
energy and industry.
  In politics, Mr. Knapp is a Democrat, although he now and for eight 
terms past has held the office of supervisor in a Republican township, 
filling the office to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.  On 
the 16th day of November, 1851, he was married to Miss Charlotte 
Harvey, daughter of Byron and Ruth (Waite) Harvey, who was born Oct. 
15, 1830.  To them was born Ida E., Feb. 9, 1855.  She is the wife of 
Henry Crosbie, and resides in Ionia.  Mrs. Knapp died Sept. 1, 1856.  
For his second wife Mr. Knapp married, June 28, 1858, Miss Frances 
Linderman, who was born Dec. 16, 1833, daughter of Jacob and Desire 
(Conrad) Linderman.  Their union has been blessed with three children, 
viz: Will, born Jan. 23, 1860; Mabel, born Aug. 11, 1862; and Genvieve, 
born March 16, 1865, died Oct. 20, 1865.