My Genealogy Hound

JAMES W. KNIGHT, in the various enterprises in which he has engaged, Mr. Knight has been uniformly successful, and this statement is certainly true of the occupation of an agriculturist, which he now follows. A Missourian by birth, much of his life has been spent in Pettis County, and he now resides upon section 8, township 44, range 21, where he owns three hundred and forty acres of well improved land. He is a man who has traveled widely, having visited many of the states of the Union, and this, in addition to thorough schooling, has given him a broad fund of information upon all general topics. In Round Prairie Township, Callaway County, Mo., August 2, 1851, the subject of this notice was born to the union of James F. and Trinvilla (Crooks) Knight, natives of Kentucky, the former born in Fleming, and the latter in Montgomery County. The paternal grandfather, William S. Knight, was born near Baltimore, Md., removed thence to Kentucky, and in 1825 settled in Callaway County, Mo., where he entered Government land. The great-grandfather, Lay Knight, was born in England, and was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, filling a number of pastorates in Maryland, but removing from there to Kentucky when his son, William S., was about fifteen years old. Both the father and grandfather were slave-holders.

At the age of seven years James F. Knight came to Missouri with his father, and for sixty years he was a resident of Callaway County. His father, who at one time was a man of wealth, lost his property in his old age by going security for friends, which fact obliged the son to make his own way in the world. Being energetic and capable, he achieved success in business, and at the time of his death was worth about $20,000. His entire capital at the time of his marriage consisted of $23 and a horse, while his wife had a bed and a few articles of furniture. Politically he was a Democrat, and in religious faith a member of the Christian Church. His death occurred at our subject’s home in 1886.

The only brother of our subject is W. C., a resident of Boonville, Mo., where he is engaged in the banking and real-estate business. The only sister, Anna, is the wife of George W. Anderson, a farmer of Flat Creek Township. The boyhood years of our subject were spent upon a farm in Callaway County. His educational advantages were excellent, and after completing the common-school studies, he entered Westminster College, at the age of eighteen. Two years later he began to teach, in order to earn the money with which to continue his studies. At the time of leaving college, he lacked only six months of completing the required course necessary for graduation. For sixteen years he devoted much of his time to teaching, and at one time spent four months in the State Normal School at Kirksville, Mo.

September 5, 1877, Mr. Knight married Miss Susie Johnson, who was born in Callaway County, Mo. The only child born of that marriage was Odon Wilkes, whose birth occurred in Callaway County, November 17, 1878. His second marriage occurred October 17, 1886, his wife being Miss Isora Hatton, of Flat Creek Township, Pettis County. She was born here October 29, 1863, and is a daughter of Oliver P. and Martha (Elliott) Hatton. In addition to common-school advantages, she attended the State Normal School at Warrensburg, and afterward taught a number of terms in country schools in Pettis County. Their four children are James F., born October 27, 1887; Nina, May 3, 1889; Katie, July 29, 1881; and William Stone, June 28, 1893.

After the death of his first wife, Mr. Knight made his home with his father until the latter’s death, when he inherited one hundred and sixty acres. Later he began to do work for mail contractors, and has traveled extensively in various states. While living in Callaway County, he engaged in the drug trade at Fulton with C. M. Wright, continuing thus engaged for two and one-half years. He has added to his farm by the purchase of other property, and now owns three hundred and forty acres. Politically he is a Democrat, and in 1889 he was elected School Commissioner, serving one term. At different times he has represented the party in local conventions. In religious connections he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.