My Genealogy Hound

Seth H. Knapp, who died on his farm of 20 acres, in Redford township, Wayne County, Michigan, after a long and busy agricultural life, was an estimable citizen and a much respected man. He was born in Schuyler, Herkimer County, New York, June 9, 1808, and was a son of Jonah and Catherine (Kane) Knapp, both of whom were natives of Herkimer County, his birth being on February 27, 1770, and his death in 1841. His widow survived until June 10, 1853.

Jonah Knapp, who was born February 28, 1770, and died in 1841, came to Michigan from New York in 1833, and located in Novi township, Oakland County, taking up a large tract of government land. His wife died in Oakland County, June 10, 1853. He was the father of eight children.

The late Seth H. Knapp obtained his education in Herkimer County, New York, and was 25 years of age when he accompanied his parents to Michigan. He assisted his father in the clearing and cultivation of the latter’s farm, and at the death of his parents received his legal portion of the estate. He added by purchase to the property left him a farm of 140 acres in Novi township, which he disposed of at a later date and bought one of 80 acres located a mile and a half south of the village of Farmington. This land he also sold, on account of increasing ill health, and made his home on a small tract of 20 acres in Redford township, Wayne County, where he died. He was largely interested in stock raising. In business circles Mr. Knapp was regarded as a man of good judgment and clear insight, while as a citizen and as a neighbor, he was held in high esteem.

In 1868 Mr. Knapp was married to Wealthy Burton, who is a daughter of Ira and Abby (Gould) Burton, both of whom were born in Herkimer County, New York, and came to Oakland County in 1831. Mr. Burton took up a large tract of government land in Lyon township and there Mrs. Knapp was born. Mr. and Mrs. Burton reared a family of five children, namely: Nancy, born February 17, 1832, now residing with her sister, Mrs. Knapp; Charity, born February 20, 1834, who died in 1876; Phebe, born June 21, 1837, who married William Clark and lives in Plymouth township, Wayne County, and has three children, William L. Burton, Ella Gertrude and Wilmer Samuel; Wealthy (Mrs. Knapp), born February 6, 1841; and Abby, who resides with Mrs. Knapp.

In political life Mr. Knapp was a Democrat, but he sought no political preferment. After his death, Mrs. Knapp sold the farm in Redford township and purchased a property in the village of Farmington, where she resides with her sister, one of the most highly esteemed ladies in the village, where she owns other property which brings her excellent returns in rents.