Horace Knapp

Horace Knapp, an American Civil War veteran, a prospector in the Nome Gold Rush, and a strong advocate for education, was one of the pioneers that settled in and founded the community of Purdy, Washington. Knapp was born on March 23, 1845, in Titusville, Pennsylvania.

Civil War

When the first call for volunteers for the American Civil War came after the firing on Fort Sumter in the Battle of Fort Sumter, Knapp went to Meadville, Pennsylvania, the county seat, and gave his age as eighteen. It was questioned, but the recruiting officer, Daniel Sickles, said, "I have known the boy since he was knee-high to a grasshopper." Knapp joined Company K of the 57th Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteers. He served three years and three months in the Army of the Potomac, and was involved in three skirmishes and thirteen general engagements. A spent ball lodged in his knee at the Battle of Antietam, which he carried the rest of his life. He was in front of Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg. His company lost 113 out of 187 men. After the war, Knapp made his way across the United States to the Washington Territory, current day Washington (state).

Washington Territory

After arriving in the Washington Territory, Knapp made his way to the shores of the Puget Sound by 1869 where he made a living as a logger or lumberjack. He married Josephine Fuller on February 8, 1885, and they moved to the Purdy area, making her the first white woman in the area. He owned two logging camps on Puget Sound. One on Harstine Island, Washington, and the other one around Purdy, Washington. The headquarters of the Purdy camp was a floating camp. It consisted of a one story building (18x36 feet) which rested on five huge cedar logs. The rear ten feet was a bedroom where Knapp's two sons were born. The remaining space was used as an office, living room and kitchen. The furniture was homemade and well-built by Knapp and his men. The interior was decorated with newspapers from which his children learned to read.

Advocate for Education

Besides teaching his sons the finer points of logging, such as sharpening and handling a crosscut saw, and felling and bucking trees, Knapp was an advocate of education. To learn by doing was Knapp's formula for acquiring an education. He had very decided ideas in regard to education. He fought for better schools at all times.

Knapp believed that education was something that the individual should strive for. It was a continuous process in life. Schooling could be helpful or not depending on the pupil. Even so, he donated the land for the first schoolhouse (abandoned in the 1890s) and the second Purdy Schoolhouse to be built in 1900. The second Purdy Schoolhouse stood until 2015, when it was demolished to build a new home. Better schools, better roads, and more settlers were the crying needs as Knapp saw it.

Road to Gig Harbor

Speaking of roads, a road was badly needed from Purdy to Gig Harbor, Washington. Knapp contacted Mr. Fay, who represented the district. The board told him there was but $400.00 available. If he could complete a road for that amount, he could have it. He took it. Not having time to take charge himself, he turned it over to a Mr. McLoud, who lived across from the Murry Place south of Horseshoe Lake, Washington. Bismark Burnham of Gig Harbor bid the lowest for the right of way. But, all who could, donated labor. Knapp gave freely of time and labor, including the team. A road of sorts was built from the first creek below Purdy, winding easterly through the trees to connect with the Peacock Hill road to Olalla, Washington. Knapp was civic-minded. A layman, he had a good grasp of the law, business fundamentals, and surveying. He was consulted often and responded cheerfully.

Death and Burial

Horace Knapp died on February 1, 1913, in Gig Harbor, Washington, from pulmonary tuberculosis. He was buried on February 3, 1913, at Artondale Cemetery in the Knapp Family Plot.