If there was lots of money to be made in printing , there was even more to be made in the insurance and banking business that Joseph Fairchild Knapp perused after the Civil War. He was affiliated with Metropolitan Life Insurance from 1868 and became it's second president in 1871. Though there were some troubled times, the twenty years he was at the helm afforded him tremendous opportunities to do business and "network" with the leading bankers, industrialists, and politicians of the day. At the same time, he became sole propieter of Knapp Litho and his son Joseph Palmer became it's manager. The biographical information on his career with Metropolitan Life and more was generously supplied to me by Mr. Daniel May the current company historian.

One of the many innovations Mr. Knapp instituted at Met was a policyholders magazine. Here is a page that appeared shortly after his passing in 1891.

"His common sense was of a sledge hammer nature when it came into contact with shams and absurdities"

"He was curiously sensitive to human suffering in any form. his charity was as far reaching as his means and that is saying the utmost"

For a glimpse of what life was like inside the mansion on Bedford Ave., The Brooklyn Times reported: His domestic tastes were of the strongest nature. It was only social or business nessecesities that could get him away from his home. From those who have had the privelage of entering the Bedford Ave mansion can testify * what an ideal home it is. It is superbly appointed and exquisitely furnished. The famous music room at the rear of the house deserves all of the admiring comments that have been lavished upon it. The room is almost historical. ( I guess these were not yet historical characters in 1891) Generals Grant and Sheridan, ex Presidents Arthur and Cleveland, and many other notables have visited it and listened to the strains of many musical instruments. It was built and fitted during one of Mrs. Knapp's absences in Europe. One can only imagine her surprise when she returned.

*Though I never had the privelage of being in their Brooklyn residence, I can testify if what was inside their summer home in Mastic Beach was any indication, no more on the subject needs to be said.

Phoebe Palmer Knapp was born in New York City. The daughter of Walter C. Palmer, a well-known Methodist evangelist of that day, Phoebe, at 16, married Joseph F. Knapp, They had two children Antoinette and Joseph Palmer. The Knapp's were members of St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church of Brooklyn, whose membership also included blind hymnwriter Fanny Crosby. Phoebe Palmer Knapp published more than 500 hymn tunes, but her most famous work is the tune for Fanny Crosby's beloved hymn "Blessed Assurance"