My Genealogy Hound

William W. Knox, whose fine farm of 120 acres is located in section 1, Springfield township, Oakland County, is one of the leading agriculturists as well as capitalists of his section. He was born February 28, 1837, in Independence township, Oakland County, Michigan, and is a son of Walter and Jane (Todd) Knox, and a grandson of Walter Knox, who reared this family of children: Robert, Jennie, James, Adam, David, William and Walter.

The father of our subject was born at Harwich, near Glasgow, Scotland, and died in Oakland County in 1856, at the age of 57 years. He married Jane Todd in Scotland, who died at the home of our subject at the age of 90 years, having been born in 1801. They had a family of 11 children, namely: Mrs. Jeanette Funston, deceased; Mrs. Isabella Sherman, of Ludington, Michigan; Mrs. Almina La Doo, deceased; David, who died in infancy; John, who died in infancy; James, of Pennsylvania; John J., who died at Washington, D. C., holding at that time an important position in the Pension Department; William W., of this sketch; Mrs. Elizabeth Husted, deceased; Mrs. Mary Lowrie, deceased; and Walter, of Pontiac. When the parents of our subject came to America, they brought the four children then born and settled at Syracuse, New York, for four years, coming to Oakland County, Michigan, in 1836. The long journey was made under the difficulties which met the pioneers of that city. They settled on uncleared land, far from any depot of supplies, while the only cattle that could be used to advantage were the strong but slow-moving oxen. On many occasions Mr. Knox walked many miles to get his grist of meal ground. However, he cleared up a fine farm with the assistance of his sons, and put it under cultivation, his death preventing his long enjoyment of the fruit of his labors.

William W. Knox has spent his life in Oakland County and the whole of it has been most successfully directed along the lines of farming and stock raising. In November, 1869, he moved to his present farm, which at that time was not properly valued on account of it being stony. Mr. Knox has proved that this formation of the soil makes the very best wheat land in the world, for after thoroughly preparing it for cultivation he has raised 35 bushels of fine wheat to the acre. He cultivates 30 acres in wheat, but devotes more attention than formerly to corn, oats, beans, potatoes and hay. He has a productive orchard of 150 fruit trees. Much careful attention has been given to high grade hogs and sheep, and Mr. Knox gives preference to Chester White and Poland-China hogs and Shropshire and Rambouillet sheep. In 1885 a disastrous fire destroyed three barns filled with produce and 30 tons of hay. Since then he has erected two commodious barns of a most substantial character.

In January, 1862, Mr. Knox was married to Martha Rees, who was born in Wales, and is a daughter of John and Alice Rees. Mr. and Mrs. Knox have reared Charles W. and John J. Knox (twins), sons of our subject’s brother, the late Maj. John J. Knox. They were born at Plattsburg, New York, March 30, 1865; the former is a prosperous farmer of Groveland township, Oakland County, and the latter lives with his uncle, the subject of this sketch, Maj. John J. Knox enlisted in May, 1861, in Company D, 5th Reg., Michigan Vol. inf., as a sergeant, and was later promoted to be 1st lieutenant, finally being brevetted major. He served in the Army of the Potomac and participated in the battles of Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, Antietam, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Spottsylvania and innumerable skirmishes. At the battle of Fair Oaks he was seriously wounded, and his death several years later was undoubtedly caused from the effects of the wound. He was a brave soldier and was held in honor by his fellow citizens. Politically, Mr. Knox is a Republican, and fraternally is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. He is generally considered one of the best farmers in his neighborhood and the appearance of his fine farm upholds the statement. He is also a man of integrity and enjoys the esteem of his fellow citizens.