My Genealogy Hound

Knox Knowlton, M. D., is well known throughout Desha and surrounding counties, as a physician and surgeon of prominence, and is an acknowledged leader among his medical brothers. His birth occurred in the county in which he now resides, in 1833, and he is a son of Abraham and Huldah (Hastings) Knowlton, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of Massachusetts. Dr. Knowlton, up to the age of nineteen years, received but very little education, but having always been desirous of becoming a well-informed man, he, at that age, went to Ohio, and attended a school of that State for one year, after which he entered the St. Louis University, his career in both these institutions being marked by rapid progress. He was compelled, however, to leave the latter institution, after a short attendance, on account of ill health, and returned home where, after a short rest, he began his medical studies, and later attended lectures in St. Louis, graduating the second term. After practicing a short time, he went to New Orleans, attending lectures in the University of Louisiana, and thus favored with excellent preparatory training he was enabled to enter upon a successful career, and the practice of medicine received his attention until the opening of the war. In 1862 he entered the Confederate service as surgeon of the Fifteenth Tennessee, Donaldson’s brigade, Cheatham’s division, Polk’s corps, and served as such throughout the war, surrendering at Greensboro, N. C, in April, 1865. After returning to his native State and practicing his profession for a short time, he gave up his profession for the occupation of farming, and so excellent was his management that he in time became the owner of 440 acres of rich land, 240 acres of which are under cultivation. He also gives some attention to stock-raising. Although he has taken no particular interest in politics, he usually votes the Democratic ticket, and the cause of education always receives his hearty approval and support. Other worthy enterprises find in him a liberal patron, and as a man and citizen he ranks among the first in the county. In 1872 Miss Huldah, a daughter of David and Julia (Dumas) Alexander, natives of Kentucky and Virginia, respectively, became his wife, and by her he has had an interesting family of three children: Abraham, Stephen D. and Mary B., all of whom are attending school.