My Genealogy Hound

OSMAN E. KNIGHT, a well-known farmer of Huntington, was born in Norwich, Mass., March 13, 1837, son of Whitman and Harriet (Park) Knight.

Mr. Knight’s great-grandfather was born in Norwich, Conn., and settled in the village of Norwich, Mass., where he followed farming. He had a son Samuel, who was the grandfather of Osman E. Samuel Knight was born in Norwich, Mass., February 11, 1771. He married a Miss Wigat, and they had ten children. Of these, Whitman Knight, born May 19, 1798, was a wagon-maker; and he followed that trade besides operating a saw-mill and a grist-mill. He also engaged in agriculture successfully, and became a prominent man in the community. He was a Whig in politics, and served as Town Treasurer. He was also Postmaster of Norwich for over twenty years. He was an attendant of the Congregational church. Whitman Knight died December 20, 1867. His wife was born in Norwich, Mass, August 31, 1808, daughter of Levi Park, whose wife was Esther Hannum in her maidenhood. Mr. Park cleared and improved the farm which Mr. Knight now owns and occupies, and resided there until his death. Mrs. Whitman Knight was the mother of five children, as follows: Angeline, deceased, who married E. T. Crosby; Julia A., deceased, who married Solomon L. Warner; Charles W., deceased, who married Lydia Leonard; Osman E., the subject of this sketch; and Samuel Henry, deceased, who married Laura Greenwood. The mother died August 15, 1867.

Osman E. Knight grew to manhood in Norwich and assisted his father in carrying on the mills. He learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed for some time; but after his father’s death he took charge of the home farm, and has since been engaged in agriculture, milling, etc. He devotes considerable time to the dairying, and raises some excellent stock. Aside from farming he operates a saw-mill and carries on a repair shop. Mr. Knight is a Republican in politics, and has always maintained an active interest in local questions. He has been Postmaster of Norwich since 1868.

Mr. Knight has been twice married. The first occasion was on June 15, 1862, when he was united to Ann M. Smith, born in Norwich in 1839, daughter of Horace and Martha (Perry) Smith. She was the mother of three children, namely: Adele, wife of J. B. Lyman, of Norwich; Gertrude J., wife of Marshall Smith, a farmer of Chesterfield, Mass.; and Frank, who died young. She died January 10, 1871. On August 10 of the same year he wedded Mrs. Mary Miller, of Holyoke. Mr. and Mrs. Knight have two children, namely: Lillian, who died at the age of five years; and William O., who was born May 30, 1876, and resides at home. Both parents are members of the Congregational church.