My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM P. McKNIGHT was born in Niagara county, N. Y., Oct. 25, 1828, within three miles of the falls. He was reared on a farm and was educated in Hillsdale, Mich., to which place he moved with his parents in 1835. He is the son of John and Jane McKnight; his father was a native of New York, and his mother of Pennsylvania. John McKnight was born Aug. 21, 1795, in Seneca county, N. Y., and was the first white child born in the county. Was in the War of 1812. His father, Andrew McKnight, was in the Revolutionary War, was taken prisoner by the Indians, adopted by them, and remained with them seven years before he was able to make his escape. His son, John McKnight, had four children, the subject of this sketch being the third child, and is the only one living of the family. He lived in Hillsdale county, Mich., forty-two years, and was married to Harriet Williams Oct. 25, 1852, in Hillsdale county. She was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., Oct. 28, 1831, and is the daughter of Jedadiah and Harriet Williams, who were natives of Massachusetts. Of eight children Mrs. McKnight was the fourth child. Mr. and Mrs. McKnight have seven children, named John D., Helen L., James E., Charles R, Jessie, Jennie, and Guernsey. In. 1877 the subject of this sketch moved to Jasper county, Mo., and located in Carthage, and in 1880 he moved upon his farm and has been engaged in farming up to the present. Miss Jennie McKnight was born in Hillsdale county, Mich., and attended the common schools there until they moved to Carthage, when she attended the high school at Carthage for one year. She taught her first school in April, 1882, in Lincoln township, a term of four months, and gave universal satisfaction. She is fond of teaching, and intends following it for a livelihood. Mr. McKnight has proved himself a good farmer, takes quite an interest in political affairs, and is a staunch Republican, and a member of the Masonic order. His principal business is selling self-binding machines.