Marion County, West Virginia Biography of Major Ulysses A. KNAPP ************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor. Submitted by Valerie Crook, , March 1999 ************************************************************************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 37 MAJOR ULYSSES A. KNAPP had completed his law studies when America declared war on Germany, and when his class graduated and a degree was assigned him by West Virginia University he was attending the First Officers Training Camp. The two succeeding years he was in active service, spending a year in France, and after his discharge he began practice at Fairmont, where he has already achieved recognition as a very able and thorough lawyer. Major Knapp was born on a farm in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1886, but is related to several old West Virginia families. His grandparents were Henry and Margaret (Markley) Knapp. Henry Knapp was born in New York State and as a young man removed to West Virginia and married Margaret Markley, a native of Bar- bour County, this state, and daughter of Christian and Margaret (Shockley) Markley. Charles F. Knapp, father of Major Knapp, was born in Barbour County, West Vir- ginia, November 19, 1853, but in early life removed to Pennsylvania. He married Nancy A. Thomas, who was born in Fayette County Pennsylvania, October 10, 1854, daughter of George and Nancy (Umble) Thomas, both natives of Pennsylvania. George Thomas was born in Mary- land, son of Jacob Thomas and grandson of Alexander Thomas. Alexander Thomas was a native of Wales and founder of his branch of the family in America. After his marriage Charles F. Knapp settled on a farm in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, but in 1897 removed to Fairmont, West Virginia, where he and his wife now re- side. Ulysses A. Knapp was about ten years of age when his parents located at Fairmont. Here he acquired a common school education and at the age of thirteen he went to work in the Bank of Fairmont, remaining there two years. He was then in the engineering department of the Consolidation Coal Company, but in intervals of employment, and paying his way through his earnings, he attended the city schools and the Fairmont Normal School. After his university preparation he entered West Virginia Law School, and graduated in 1917 as president of his class. Major Knapp reported to the First Officers Training Camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison at Indianapolis, May 13, 1917. He received his commission as captain August 15th, and was assigned to the command of Company H of the Three Hundred and Twenty-ninth Infantry, Eighty-third Division. He was kept in the home camp, training and in other duty until June 12, 1918, when he sailed for over- seas, landing at LaHavre July 1st, and was in command of the Second Battalion of the Three Hundred and Twenty- ninth Regiment from August 15 to November 26, 1918. He was attached to the general headquarters as rifle in- structor of the Third Corps School at Clamecy, Nievre, from November 27, 1918, to April 1, 1919, and was range officer and assistant range officer of the D'Auvons Range at LeMans from April 1, 1919 to July 1, 1919. He was commissioned major of infantry May 14, 1919. July 19th he sailed from Brest, landing in New York City July 29th, and received his honorable discharge at Camp Sherman, Ohio, August 16, 1919. While still in the service and while at home on leave of absence Major Knapp was admitted to the West Virginia bar, in April, 1919, and soon after leaving the army he began practice at Fairmont. Major Knapp is a very popular citizen and is affiliated with the democratic party. In 1920 he won the democratic nomination as a candidate for the House of Delegates. When L. C. Musgrove, candidate for prosecuting attorney, withdrew from the campaign, he was unanimously chosen by the County Committee to fill the vacancy on the ticket, and made a very active and spirited campaign against the heavy odds that ended in a general republican landslide that year. Major Knapp is a member of the American Legion, the Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also belongs to the Kiwanis Club and the Phi Sigma Kappa college fraternity.