Lyman Enos Knapp
Encyclopedia
Lyman Enos Knapp was an American Republican
politician who was the Governor of the District of Alaska
from 1889 to 1893. He was also a member of the Vermont House of Representatives
from 1884 to 1885. He was born in Somerset, Vermont
and died in Seattle, Washington.
to Hiram and Elvira (Stearns) Knapp. He was educated in Manchester, Vermont
, first attending Burr and Burton Seminary and then graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College
in 1862. With the American Civil War
being under way at the time of his graduation, Knapp enlisted as a private
in the Company I, 16th Vermont Infantry
and was quickly promoted to captain of Company F, 17th Vermont Infantry
. During his military service, he was wounded at Gettysburg
, Spotsylvania
, and Petersburg
. Knapp rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel
and was brevetted a colonel
for his gallantry during the Siege of Petersburg.
On January 23, 1865, Knapp married Martha A Severance of Middlebury, Vermont. The couple had four children.
Following the war, Knapp returned to Vermont where he published the Middlebury Register from 1865 till 1878. In addition to the work on his own newspaper, he submitted articles to the Chicago Inter-Ocean and the American Law Register. Beyond his journalistic efforts, Knapp served as Clerk of the Vermont Legislature during the 1872-3 session. After being admitted to the bar in 1876, he served as a probate judge for the Addison district
from 1879–89. Knapp was also elected for a term in the Vermont House of Representatives
from 1884 to 1885.
, his term beginning on April 20, 1889. At the time of his appointment, many Alaskans desired a resident governor and were disappointed receiving an "outsider". The district did however see a number of improvements during his administration. Postal service was extended with the creation of over 1600 miles (2,574.9 km) of new mail routes. Knapp also helped establish a historical society and library.
On the legal front, Knapp asked for Alaska to be granted a Delegate to the U.S. Congress
. He also supported creation of a commission to revise the district's legal code
and, arguing that lack of clear land possession discouraged improvements, lobbied for a revision of the land possession laws. To help maintain law and order, Knapp help organize both a militia
and Indian police. The former turned into a source of amusement for some area residents due to the governor's predilection for dressing in his military uniform and watch the militia parade before him.
During his term, an international dispute over seal fisheries reached a zenith. The United States, claiming that seals from Alaska were being killed by Canadian and other ships on the high seas, had seized several ships and brought them to Sitka. Arbitration to resolve the dispute was agreed to in 1891 between Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. As a result a set of restrictions was imposed on seal hunting near Alaska. Knapp was replaced as governor on August 29, 1893 following the appointment of James Sheakley
by President Grover Cleveland
.
and received an Honorary LL.D. from Whitman College
in 1893. Knapp was also the founder and President of the Anti-Saloon League
of Washington. He remained active in the practice of law until his death on October 9, 1904.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician who was the Governor of the District of Alaska
District of Alaska
The District of Alaska was the governmental designation for Alaska from May 17, 1884 to August 24, 1912, when it became Alaska Territory. Previously it had been known as the Department of Alaska. At the time, legislators in Washington, D.C., were occupied with post-Civil War reconstruction issues,...
from 1889 to 1893. He was also a member of the Vermont House of Representatives
Vermont House of Representatives
The Vermont House of Representatives is the lower house of the Vermont General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Vermont. The House comprises 150 members. Vermont legislative districting divides representing districts into 66 single-member districts and 42 two-member...
from 1884 to 1885. He was born in Somerset, Vermont
Somerset, Vermont
Somerset is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 5, and is one of only a handful of places in the United States with a population of five people. Somerset is one of five unincorporated towns in Vermont. The town disincorporated...
and died in Seattle, Washington.
Background
Knapp was born November 5, 1837 in Somerset, VermontSomerset, Vermont
Somerset is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 5, and is one of only a handful of places in the United States with a population of five people. Somerset is one of five unincorporated towns in Vermont. The town disincorporated...
to Hiram and Elvira (Stearns) Knapp. He was educated in Manchester, Vermont
Manchester (town), Vermont
Manchester is a town in, and one of two shire towns of, Bennington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 4,180 at the 2000 census....
, first attending Burr and Burton Seminary and then graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College
Middlebury College
Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont, USA. Founded in 1800, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States. Drawing 2,400 undergraduates from all 50 United States and over 70 countries, Middlebury offers 44 majors in the arts,...
in 1862. With the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
being under way at the time of his graduation, Knapp enlisted as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the Company I, 16th Vermont Infantry
16th Vermont Infantry
The 16th Regiment, Vermont Volunteer Infantry was a nine months' infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It served in the eastern theater, predominantly in the Defenses of Washington, from October 1862 to August 1863...
and was quickly promoted to captain of Company F, 17th Vermont Infantry
17th Vermont Infantry
The 17th Regiment, Vermont Volunteer Infantry was a three years' infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War...
. During his military service, he was wounded at Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
, Spotsylvania
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, sometimes simply referred to as the Battle of Spotsylvania , was the second major battle in Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's 1864 Overland Campaign of the American Civil War. Following the bloody but inconclusive Battle of the Wilderness, Grant's army disengaged...
, and Petersburg
Siege of Petersburg
The Richmond–Petersburg Campaign was a series of battles around Petersburg, Virginia, fought from June 9, 1864, to March 25, 1865, during the American Civil War...
. Knapp rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
and was brevetted a colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
for his gallantry during the Siege of Petersburg.
On January 23, 1865, Knapp married Martha A Severance of Middlebury, Vermont. The couple had four children.
Following the war, Knapp returned to Vermont where he published the Middlebury Register from 1865 till 1878. In addition to the work on his own newspaper, he submitted articles to the Chicago Inter-Ocean and the American Law Register. Beyond his journalistic efforts, Knapp served as Clerk of the Vermont Legislature during the 1872-3 session. After being admitted to the bar in 1876, he served as a probate judge for the Addison district
Addison County, Vermont
Addison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. In 2010, the population was 36,821. Its shire town is Middlebury.-Geography:...
from 1879–89. Knapp was also elected for a term in the Vermont House of Representatives
Vermont House of Representatives
The Vermont House of Representatives is the lower house of the Vermont General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Vermont. The House comprises 150 members. Vermont legislative districting divides representing districts into 66 single-member districts and 42 two-member...
from 1884 to 1885.
Governorship
Knapp was appointed Governor of the District of Alaska by President Benjamin HarrisonBenjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States . Harrison, a grandson of President William Henry Harrison, was born in North Bend, Ohio, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana at age 21, eventually becoming a prominent politician there...
, his term beginning on April 20, 1889. At the time of his appointment, many Alaskans desired a resident governor and were disappointed receiving an "outsider". The district did however see a number of improvements during his administration. Postal service was extended with the creation of over 1600 miles (2,574.9 km) of new mail routes. Knapp also helped establish a historical society and library.
On the legal front, Knapp asked for Alaska to be granted a Delegate to the U.S. Congress
Delegate (United States Congress)
A delegate to Congress is a non-voting member of the United States House of Representatives who is elected from a U.S. territory and from Washington, D.C. to a two-year term. While unable to vote in the full House, a non-voting delegate may vote in a House committee of which the delegate is a member...
. He also supported creation of a commission to revise the district's legal code
Legal code
A legal code is a body of law written by a governmental body, such as a U.S. state, a Canadian Province or German Bundesland or a municipality...
and, arguing that lack of clear land possession discouraged improvements, lobbied for a revision of the land possession laws. To help maintain law and order, Knapp help organize both a militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
and Indian police. The former turned into a source of amusement for some area residents due to the governor's predilection for dressing in his military uniform and watch the militia parade before him.
During his term, an international dispute over seal fisheries reached a zenith. The United States, claiming that seals from Alaska were being killed by Canadian and other ships on the high seas, had seized several ships and brought them to Sitka. Arbitration to resolve the dispute was agreed to in 1891 between Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. As a result a set of restrictions was imposed on seal hunting near Alaska. Knapp was replaced as governor on August 29, 1893 following the appointment of James Sheakley
James Sheakley
James Sheakley was an American Democratic politician who was the Governor of the District of Alaska from 1893 to 1897. He was also a member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania from 1875 to 1877....
by President Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
.
After office
Following his term as governor, Knapp moved to Seattle and opened a law practice. He was active in civil organizations such as the Institute of Civics and National Geographic SocietyNational Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
and received an Honorary LL.D. from Whitman College
Whitman College
Whitman College is a private, co-educational, non-sectarian, residential undergraduate liberal arts college located in Walla Walla, Washington. Initially founded as a seminary by a territorial legislative charter in 1859, the school became a four year degree granting institution in 1883...
in 1893. Knapp was also the founder and President of the Anti-Saloon League
Anti-Saloon League
The Anti-Saloon League was the leading organization lobbying for prohibition in the United States in the early 20th century. It was a key component of the Progressive Era, and was strongest in the South and rural North, drawing heavy support from pietistic Protestant ministers and their...
of Washington. He remained active in the practice of law until his death on October 9, 1904.