Growth of Knapp Electrical Works

Growth of the Knapp Electrical Works.

Among the companies in Chicago that were dealing in telegraph apparatus and other electrical supplies before the advent of electric light, was the Railway Telegraph Supply Company which had quarters at the corner of Fulton and Union Sts. In 1884 Mr. Myron A. Knapp, who had recently come to Chicago became interested in the company and planned at once to enlarge its field of operation at the time that electric lighting was first coming into vogue. Previous to this time Mr. Knapp had been engaged in the lumber business, but what he lacked in knowledge of electrical matters he made up in amount of energy. He first secured control of the company, then changed its name to the Knapp Electrical Works. As the location was somewhat distant from the business part of the city and the quarters altogether too cramped for much enlargement Mr. Knapp moved to his present situation on Franklin St. and started a little shop in the second story, while on the ground floor he had his offices, sales room and store room. It was somewhat of a novelty in those days to run a shop in connection with a supply house, but Mr. Knapp found contracts enough to keep a few men busy and was compelled to gradually increase his working force in order to keep up with the demands of the business. Beginning with the manufacture of a few supplies he extended his facilities until now he occupies the entire building and employs a large force of men in making the various supplies called for in electrical work, including the manufacture of telegraph instruments and apparatus.

The sales room on the ground floor is now stocked with a full supply of all electrical devices and several leading specialties are handled solely by this company in Chicago. Mr. Knapp has associated with him, Mr. J. B. Wood, who is assistant manager, and Mr. M B. Austin, who is special agent. This company is now one of the foremost supply houses in the west.