Born near Long Grove , Illinois , Knopf attended the public schools . During the Civil War enlisted in Company I , 147th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment , and served until the regiment was mustered out in Savannah , Georgia . He moved to Chicago in 1866 and attended Bryant and Stratton 's College for one year . He engaged in the teaming business until 1884 , when he was appointed chief deputy coroner and served eight years . He served as a member of the Illinois State senate from 1886 to 1894 . He served as clerk of Cook County from 1894 to 1902 . He served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1896 and as a member of the State Republican central committee
Republican National Convention in 1896
1896 Republican National Convention
Philip Knopf