My Genealogy Hound

John W. Knauff, farmer, Des Arc, Ark. No where in Prairie County is to be found a man of more energy or determined will or force of character, than Mr. Knauff possesses, and no agriculturist is deserving of greater success in the conduct and management of a farm than he. Farmville, Prince Edwards County, Va., was the scene of his birth, the same occurring on March 19, 1836, and he is the son of G. Philip Knauff, a native of Germany, and Ann E. (Bondurant) Knauff, who was of French Huguenot descent. The parents were married in Virginia, and the father was a merchant and importer of musical instruments, doing busi ess at Farmville for a number of years. His death occurred in 1855. His wife had died previous to this, shortly after the birth of the subject of this sketch. John W. Knauff passed his youthful days in Prince Edward County, and received a good education at Hampden Sidney College. He left college after completing his junior year, on account of the death of his father, and engaged in teaching in Virginia for about two years, when he returned to college and graduated with honor. In the fall of 1858 he came West, to Arkansas and was the first engaged as principal of the male academy at Searcy, where he remained five months. He then returned to Virginia, and there remained until March, 1859, when he came to Des Arc, where he continued his former occupation of teaching near that town until 1861. In August, of that year, he enlisted in the Confederate army, First Arkansas Mounted Rifles, Col. Churchill’s old regiment, and served until peace was declared. He was disbanded and paroled at Greensboro, N. C, on May 1, 1865. He enlisted as a private and musician, but no regimental bands being allowed in the Confederate army and the band to which he belonged being unwilling to serve as brigade band, each member of his band was required to serve as litter bearer or go in the ranks in time of an engagement. He always took a musket and was wounded three times in Johnston’s retreat from Dalton to Atlanta, Ga., but refused to be sent to a hospital, his wounds not preventing his marching. He took part in the following battles: Oak Hill, Pea Ridge and many skirmishes; was then transferred to the east side of the river, and participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Murfreesboro, Richmond (Ky.), and all the fights in and around Atlanta. He was wounded slightly at Atlanta (Resaca), but was not disabled from service. After the war he returned to Prairie County, Ark., engaged in agricultural pursuits, and also taught school, continuing the last-named occupation up to the present time. He was married here on May 17, 1868, to Miss Emma P. Williams, a native of Alabama, although reared principally in Prairie County, and the daughter of Elijah Williams. The fruits of this union have been seven children: Guy W., O. O., Emma Irene, Baxter T., Philip W., Hubert A. and John De W. Mr. Knauff served one term as magistrate, and is a man universally respected.