Knapp, Lyman E. (Lyman Enos), 1837-1904

Lyman Enos Knapp was the third territorial governor of Alaska from 1889-1893, in Sitka. He was born in Somerset, VT, Nov. 5, 1837. He graduated from Middlebury College in 1862 and fought in the Civil War. After the war he edited the Middlebury Register for 13 years. He was admitted to the Vermont bar in 1876, and received an M.A. and L.L.D. from Whitman College in 1893. Knapp was probate judge in Addison County, VT, 1879-1889. In 1889, President Harrison appointed Knapp governor of Alaska and he served until 1893. He married Martha A. Severance in Washington, D.C., Jan. 23, 1865, and they had four children: George, Edwin, Frances, and Mary (May). Knapp was founder and first president of the Anti-Saloon League of Washington. He was also founder and first president of the Alaska Historical Society. He died in Seattle, Oct. 9, 1904.

Lyman Enos Knapp was the third territorial governor of Alaska from 1889-1893 in Sitka. He was born in Somerset, Vermont, November 5, 1837. He graduated from Middlebury College in 1862 and fought in the Civil War. After the war he was editor of the Middlebury Register for 13 years. He was admitted to the Vermont bar in 1876. He received an M.A. and L.L.D. from Whitman College in 1893. Governor Knapp was probate judge in Addison County, Vermont, 1879-1889. In 1889 President Harrison appointed Knapp governor of Alaska; he served until 1893. He married Martha A. Severance in Washington, D.C., January 23, 1865. They had four children: George, Edwin, Frances, and Mary (May). Governor Knapp was founder and first president of the Anti-Saloon League of Washington. He was also founder and first president of the Alaska Historical Society. He died in Seattle, October 9, 1904.

Lyman E. Knapp, son of Hiram and Elvira (Stearns) Knapp, was born in Somerset, Vermont, November 5, 1837, and died in Seattle, Washington, October 9, 1904. He enlisted as a private in Co. I, 16th Vemront Regiment and was subsequently elected captain of the company. He was wounded at Gettysburg facing Pickett's charge. After his nine month enlistment he reenlisted, raising a company of volunteers at Townshend, to become Co. F, 17th Vermont Regiment, of which he was captain. He fought in thirteen battles, was wounded twice more, at Spottsylvania and Petersburg. He was promoted Major October 25, 1864, and Lieutenant Colonel a few days later. He also received a brevet commission from President Lincoln "for gallant and meritorious action" at Petersburg, Virginia.

After the war he taught at Burr and Burton Seminary in Manchester, then for thirteen years he was editor of the Middlebury Register. He read for the law and was admitted to practice in the Vermont courts in 1876. He held a variety of positions in Middlebury. From 1869 to 1889 he was a trial justice of the peace, and from 1879 to 1889 he was a judge of probate court. Knapp served as clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives 1872-1873, and as a Representative in 1886-1887.

Knapp was appointed Governor of the Territory of Alaska by President Benjamin Harrison on April 12, 1889, and served for four years. He was founder and president of the Alaska Historical Society. He then moved to Seattle, where he practiced law until his death.