Jonas Knapp was born in Haverstraw, Rutland County, New York in August 1799. He came to Parma around 1810 with his parents, Reuben and Ether Knapp. His family was among the first pioneers of the town of Parma. They witnessed the transformation of the area from wilderness into cleared farmland. They settled at the corner of Clarkson Parma Townline Road, where it crosses Parma Center and Ireland Road. This area became know as Knapp’s Corners, and the Sage-Knapp Pioneer Cemetery is located on property that once belonged to Jonas.

Jonas Knapp was an industrious and frugal citizen and, by his labors, accumulated a large amount of property. In addition to farming, he was a prominent and popular man, serving almost every town office over the years.

Jonas married Mary Sigler, and they had four children: William (who later moved to California), Reuben, Lovira, and an adopted daughter Fanny. After his death in 1874, his widow Mary moved to Santa Rosa, California to live with their son William.