Dr. John H. S. Trapp was the son of Job and Mary McGinness Trapp and grandson of John and Nancy Dodson Trapp on his Dad's side while on his Mothers side his grandparents were Richard and Elizabeth Hayes McGinness. He learned a lot about being a doctor during the Civil War when helping with wounded soldiers and continued his learning after the war to help those in Putnam and DeKalb Counties. When not practing being a Doctor he loved farming his land.

John was the youngest of fourteen children of Job and Mary Trapp. His siblings were Ann Trapp (ca 1829 - ); William "Bill" Denton Trapp (1830 – 1860); James Terry Trapp (1832 – 1893); Elizabeth E. Trapp - McClellan (1834 – 1864); Ebenezer E. Trapp (ca 1835 – after 1850); Nancy Olive Trapp – Atnip – Cantrell (1836 – 1886); Martin Van Burien Trapp (1836 – 1902); Martha Ann Trapp – Mc Ginness (1837 – 1860); Susanna "Susan" M. Trapp – Pedigo (1842 – ca 1880); Eliza Trapp (ca 1844 - ); Amanda Vier Trapp – Treysand – Atnip (1845 - ); Samantha P.J. Trapp – Denton (1846 - 1926); Rebecca "Becky" T. Trapp – Judkins (1849 – 1924).

John married first Isabella S. Judkins, the daughter of Edmond Dan and Zilpha Rice Judkins on January 10, 1869 in DeKalb County, Tennessee. John married as his second wife, Frances "Fanny" Farley November 6, 1899 in Putnam County, Tennessee. John married as his third wife, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Williams on July 21, 1910 in Putnam County, Tennessee.

Cookeville Press June 12, 1930
Dr J S Trapp, 80, died at his home about 12 miles east of Cookeville Tuesday morning. He had been confined to his room for the past 4 years, but was seriously sick with heart dropsy only six weeks before the end.
Dr Trapp was one of the most widely known physicians in the eastern part of this County, having practiced his profession in that section for 43 years.
His long life of service to the community in which he lived will be remembered and appreciated by those he served so well.
He is survived by three sons and one daughter; Ernest of Cookeville; Edward of Akron and Dave of Dayton, Ohio and Mrs Willie Bohannon of Cookeville.
Funeral services were conducted by Elders Billy Clouse and W M Oakley.
Burial was at the Williams Cemetery in Dry Valley.

John and Isabella Trapp had the following children:
1. Martha Helen Trapp/Bartlett (1869 - 1899)
2. Molly A. E. Trapp (ca 1873)
3. William T. Trapp (ca 1878)
4. Ernest Alfred Trapp (1885 - 1955)

John and Frances had the following children:
1. Edna B. Trapp (ca 1901)
2. Edward Ulus Trapp (1903 - 1985)
3. David E. Trapp (1906 - 1964)
4. Daisy Jewel Trapp (1908 - 1915)

John and Lizzie Trapp had no children.