Born near Long Grove, Illinois, Knopf attended public schools.

He moved to Chicago in 1866 and attended Bryant & Stratton College for one year.

He engaged in the teaming business until 1884, when he was appointed chief deputy coroner and served eight years.

[1] He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of the Treasury (Fifty-ninth and Sixtieth Congresses).

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress