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David D Knapp, age, 32 was enlisted in Constantine Michigan by H.W. Brown into Co D. 19th Michigan Infantry for a period of 3 years. On September 5, 1862 he was mustered in. His military record supplied by the state of Michigan indicated that he was absent from duty due to sickness during August 1864, and again in November 1864. He M.OR (?) in a hospital at New York Harbor, and was discharged at McDougall Hospital, New York Harbor on May 19, 1865.

Santa Cruz Hospital Records

David D. Knapp, a 64 year old Blacksmith from New York was admitted to the County Hospital on August 10, 1893 for “Icterus[jaundice]. Notation indicated that he was discharged on or around August 16.

Santa Cruz Daily Surf (August 16, 1893)

Died- Knapp in Watsonville August 15, 1893 [at the County Hospital] David D. Knapp a native of New York aged 63 years.

Funeral will take place today (Wednesday) at 4 o'clock P.M. from the parlors of Wessendorf & Staffler under the auspices of the G.A.R. All old soldiers and friends and acquaintances of the deceased are invited to attend.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (August 18,1893)

The funeral of David D. Knapp, late private of Co. D, Fifth [19th] Michigan Infantry, took place under the flag by W.H.L. Wallace Post Grand Army of the Republic. J.F. Cunningham, commander with firing party from Lincoln Camp No. 10, Sons of Veterans, in charge of Capt. Place. There were a goodly number of comrades present on foot and in carriages to follow the remains to their last resting-place in the cemetery of W.H.L. Wallace Post. The burial ceremonies of the Grand Army were performed, and the firing party completed the last tribute to the dead comrade, gone to that eternal camping ground where all comrades must pass in review before the Supreme Commander. And so, one after another of the nation's defenders go to swell the ranks of those who have done with the storms of life and sought shelter in that haven of rest where storms are no more and where peace reigneth forever. Rest in Peace.

Editorial Notes by Robert L. Nelson

In 1882, David Knapp, a resident of Centerville, Michigan who was described as being 57 years of age 5'9in height and weighing 135 lbs. applied for a pension. Knapp stated that he had been a private in Co. D. of the 19th Michigan Volunteer Infantry. During the Civil war and had been admitted to the 3rd Div hospital for scurvy in Nov. 1864. This had resulted in a subsequent leg disease. Initially denied the pension, Knapp submitted several more applications until it was finally approved. On May 12, 1893, Dr. Chapman whose offices were in the Ford Block on Main St. in Watsonville examined Knapp who was then 65 and diagnosed him has having atrophy of the liver, Rheumatism and indigestion.

Knapp, a native of New York, later moved to California, and settled in Watsonville where he worked as a laborer. We believe he may have been married and had a number of children. An unidentified document in the Reader file lists a number of Knapp names with corresponding dates. Voter records for 1892 describe him as being light complexioned, blue eyes, and brown hair.

During 1893 he became sick, requiring hospitalization in the County hospital where he died on Aug. 15, 1893. According to Dr. F.E. Morgan his death was attributed to Icterus (jaundice).

Date of Birth: 1829

Date of Death: 1893-08-15

County: Santa Cruz

Cemetery/City of Burial: Evergreen Cemetery

Plot: G08

Mortuary: W&S

Cause of Death: Lvr/Jaundce

Occupation: Blacksmith

Height: 5'9

Complexion: Lt

Eye Color: Bl

Hair Color: Br

Last City: Watsonville

Native of: NY

Enlisted: 1862/09/05

Discharged: 1865/05/19

Military Unit: MI_ 19 Inf_ Co D

Rank: Pvt

Military Notes: R-Cnstntn_ D-McDgl Hsptl NY

GAR#: W32

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: SEN 1893/08/18