Lyman Enos Knapp

Lyman Enos Knapp (November 5, 1837 – October 9, 1904) was an American lawyer, journalist, and politician who served as 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.

Early life and education

Knapp was born November 5, 1837, in Somerset, Vermont, to Hiram and Elvira (Stearns) Knapp.<ref name="Brown">Template:Cite book</ref> He was educated in Manchester, Vermont, first attending Burr and Burton Academy and then graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College in 1862.<ref name="McMullin & Walker">Template:Cite book</ref>

Career

Military service

After graduating from college, Knapp enlisted as a private in the Company I, 16th Vermont Infantry Regiment and was quickly promoted to captain of Company F, 17th Vermont Infantry Regiment.<ref name="J.T. White">Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref name="Brown" />

Vermont

Following the war, Knapp returned to Vermont, where he published the Middlebury Register from 1865 till 1878.<ref name="McMullin & Walker" /> In addition to the work on his own newspaper, he submitted articles to the Chicago Inter Ocean and the American Law Register.<ref name="Brown" /> Beyond his journalistic efforts, Knapp served as Clerk of the Vermont Legislature during the 1872–1873 session. After being admitted to the bar in 1876, he served as a probate judge for the Addison district from 1879 to 1889.<ref name="McMullin & Walker" /> Knapp was also elected for a term in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1884 to 1885.<ref name="Herringshaw">Template:Cite book</ref>

Governor of Alaska

Knapp was appointed Governor of the District of Alaska by President Benjamin Harrison, his term beginning on April 20, 1889. At the time of his appointment, many Alaskans desired a resident governor and were disappointed by receiving an "outsider". The district did, however, see a number of improvements during his administration. Postal service was extended with the creation of over Template:Convert of new mail routes. Knapp also helped establish a historical society and library.<ref name="J.T. White" />

On the legal front, Knapp asked for Alaska to be granted a delegate to the U.S. Congress. He also supported the creation of a commission to revise the district's legal code and, arguing that the lack of clear land possession discouraged improvements, lobbied for a revision of the land possession laws.<ref name="McMullin & Walker" /> To help maintain law and order, Knapp helped organize both a militia and Indian police.<ref name="J.T. White" /> 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 watching the militia parade before him.<ref name="McMullin & Walker" />

During his term, an international dispute over seal fisheries reached a zenith.<ref name="J.T. White" /> 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.<ref name="McMullin & Walker" /> Knapp was replaced as governor on August 29, 1893, following the appointment of James Sheakley by President Grover Cleveland.<ref name="McMullin & Walker" />

Later career

Following his term as governor, Knapp moved to Seattle and established a law practice.<ref name="Brown" /> He was active in civil organizations such as the Institute of Civics and National Geographic Society and received an honorary LL.D. from Whitman College in 1893.<ref name="J.T. White" /> 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.<ref name="McMullin & Walker" />

Personal life

On January 23, 1865, Knapp married Martha A. Severance of Middlebury, Vermont. The couple had four children.<ref name="J.T. White" />