William A. Knapp (1859-1930) was born in Fort Madison, Iowa, and died in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. His father, John H. Knapp, was the president and one of the founders of Knapp, Stout & Co., a prominent lumber company in Wisconsin. In 1884, he married Emma A. Knapp (b. Rosenblatt). Knapp began his career managing lumber yards but then took over the company of L. F. McLean, dealer in Coal, Lime, Salt, Brick, Stucco and Cement. After graduating from Beloit College, he built and operated the first electrical power plant in Beloit, Wisconsin. He later sold that plant and went to Chicago, where he became a trade commissioner. In 1886, Knapp wrote to Mary Baker Eddy from Beloit, to order a copy of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.

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