Cumberland County, Maine - Thomas B. Knapp
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Biography
Thomas B. Knapp
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 325-326


Thomas B. Knapp, a leading merchant of Bridgton, was born in South Bridgton,
October 2, 1845, son of George and Caroline (Rose) Knapp. His grandfather, Jesse
Knapp, who was a native of Massachusetts, was one of the first settlers in the
town of Bridgton, where he died at an advanced age.

George Knapp, the father of Thomas B., was born in Bridgton, November 25, 1800.
He learned the carpenter's trade in his native town, and followed it at
intervals during his life. In 1848 he purchased a farm of seventy-five acres in
the pretty town of Naples, Me., and devoted the rest of his life chiefly to
agriculture, passing away in 1859, at the age of fifty-nine. His wife, Caroline,
who was a native of Massachusetts, lived to the age of seventy-five years. They
were the parents of the following children, namely: Caroline, now the widow of
Gilbert Perry, of Dubuque; Eliza, who died in 1861; Russell R., who is a
Constable in Boston; William O., now a grocer of Newton Centre, Mass.; Ruth A.,
the wife of J. C. Stover, of East Boston; Joseph P., who died in 1865; Thomas
B., the subject of this sketch; and Fred P., who is a court deputy of Boston.

Thomas B. Knapp was reared on the home farm, receiving a limited education. He
began to provide for himself when thirteen years of age, hiring out as a farm
hand, and worked in that way some five years. He then obtained a position as
clerk in the general store of E. R. Staples in South Bridgton, with whom he
remained three years. He then was with the Boston & Albany Railroad one year.
Next he entered the employ of E. Harris & Co. at Woonsocket, R.I., as a clerk.
Two years later he was hired by A. A. Little, dry-goods dealer, of Portland,
with whom he remained a year. In 1869, in company with Ashbel Chaplin, he
engaged in business at South Bridgton, opening a general store. After some two
years and a half he purchased his partner's interest, and conducted the place
for five years as sole proprietor. At the end of that time he took Fred W.
Sanborn into partnership. His business continued to increase; and in 1890,
requiring more room, he moved into his present commodious quarters. He has won a
high reputation for reliability, and his store is one of the best equipped in
the locality.

Mr. Knapp was married in 1871 to Miss Helen Patrick, of South Bridgton, daughter
of James and Huldah (Berry) Patrick. He has one son, Arthur C., who is now
studying at Hebron Academy, with a view to entering on a professional career.
Politically, Mr. Knapp is a Republican. He has served on the Bridgton Board of
Selectmen three years, and was Chairman of the Board one year. He is a member of
the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Oriental Lodge, No. 13, of Bridgton. Mr.
and Mrs. Knapp are members of the Congregational church.