Author Archives: Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994)

About Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994)

Robert F. Knapp was born Wausaukee, Wisconsin, in 1913, and moved with his family to the Pacific Northwest in the 1930s. His father, James Asa Knapp Jr., worked in the logging camps and rarely spent much time with his eight children. Eventually, James and the children's mother, Emma Beatrice Primley, divorced and Emma packed up the family and headed west. Robert grew up working odd jobs in logging camps, railroad camps, on farms, and taking what work could come his way until finding steady work and a home with his wife, Evelyn, in Monroe and Lake Stevens, Washington. He had four children and many grandchildren. Robert left behind a legacy of stories and poems written for a creative writing class throughout 1960-1980, writing of life growing up in Northern Wisconsin and the struggles to find work with a huge family to support through the Depression. Permission to reprint this has been graciously granted by the family of Robert F. Knapp with the hope that you will enjoy reading about the life and times of this amazing man.

My First Chaw Of Tobacco

Posted on September 28, 2006 by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994)

This is another childhood story by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994), telling about his first time he and his brother, Wayne Knapp, chewed tobacco. The Clemmens/Clemens family of Kentucky are mentioned. The story takes place in July of 1925 near Taylor … Continue reading →

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The Castaway

Posted on September 23, 2006 by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994)

The winter rain came down in sheets, Drenching the fields, and flooding the streets, Driven by winds that howled and screamed, Like the nightmarish plot of a devil’s dream! Oh, pity the soul without warmth of friends, With no one … Continue reading →

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Cooking On The Tug Boat Skagit Chief

Posted on September 22, 2006 by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994)

The following is another story by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994) of his years working on the The Skagit Chief tug boat towing logs on the Skagit River and Puget Sound in Washington State during the 1930-1950s. People mentioned include Captain … Continue reading →

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Lost On The Sand Plains and Woods Of Wisconsin

Posted on September 21, 2006 by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994)

The following is another story by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994) about his childhood growing up in Marinette County in the northeastern corner of Wisconsin, in the logging camp town of Taylor Rapids, just south of Goodman. The events in this … Continue reading →

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A Little Troublemaker in Taylor Rapids, Wisconsin

Posted on August 9, 2006 by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994)

The following is another story by Robert Knapp (1913-1994) about his childhood growing up in Northern Wisconsin, in a small logging community called Taylor Rapids, not far from Goodman. While the logging camps, homes, school, and human occupation of the … Continue reading →

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My First Job Working Logging Camps in Wisconsin

Posted on August 3, 2006 by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994)

The following story is told by Robert Knapp (1913-1994) of his first job in the logging camps of northern Wisconsin, around the Taylor Rapids – Goodman area in Marinette County. The events in this story happened in the winter of … Continue reading →

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Towing Logs On The Skagit River

Posted on August 1, 2006 by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994)

The following story by Robert Knapp (1913-1994) was written as part of a creative writing class. It highlights the rough life and work of towing logs on the Skagit River in Washington State during the 1930-1950s. People mentioned include Captain … Continue reading →

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Trapped On The Island

Posted on July 31, 2006 by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994)

The following tale was written by Robert Knapp (1913-1994) as part of creative writing classes he took in his later years. The story is about an adventure with his brothers, Wayne P. and Lloyd Knapp. His mother, Emma (Primley) Knapp, … Continue reading →

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Logging Camp J In the 1920′s in Northern Wisconsin

Posted on May 7, 2006 by Robert F. Knapp (1913-1994)

Two hungry and tired boys from the long weary trip from their home through the deep snows of Northern Wisconsin, breathed a sigh of relief as they approached the warm and most comfortable kitchen of the Great Logging Company camp … Continue reading →

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