KNIGHT, James L. - 1912 Bio (1852-1918)

KNIGHT, LEIGH, SUMMERS, COOK

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/19/2007 at 19:51:23

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 473-475

James L. KNIGHT.

A well improved and highly cultivated farm of five hundred and eighty-five acres located on section 27, Black Hawk township, is a fitting monument to the industry and enterprise of James L. KNIGHT, who is one of the successful farmers of Jefferson county. His life record began on the old KNIGHT homestead, on section 26, Black Hawk township, on the 22d of May, 1852. His father, George KNIGHT, was born in Manchester, England, in 1821, and there he continued to live until he was fourteen years of age. He then emigrated to the United States, first locating in Philadelphia, where he met and subsequently married Miss Martha B. LEIGH, also a native of England, her birth occurring in Lancastershire in 1823. They continued to live in Philadelphia until 1850, when they came to Iowa, first settling in Burlington. The following year they came to Jefferson county, locating on a tract of land that Mr. KNIGHT preempted in Black Hawk township. This continued to be the family home until the father's death in 1885, the mother later went to live with her son James L., and there she passed away on the 13th of January, 1910. Mrs. KNIGHT was descended from the English nobility, and at the age of fifteen years was a standard bearer at the coronation of Queen Victoria. The family of Mr. and Mrs. KNIGHT numbered five children as follows: John, who owns and operates the old KNIGHT homestead in Black Hawk township; Carrie, the wife of Joseph SUMMERS, a farmer of Black Hawk township; James L., our subject; Emma, the wife of Frank COOK, a gasoline-engine manufacturer of Madison, Wisconsin; and Mary Ann, who is an invalid and makes her home with her brother James.

Reared on the farm where he was born James L. KNIGHT mastered the common branches of English learning by the tutorage of his invalid father in the old log cabin, attending district schools but six weeks altogether. His early years were very similar to those of other lads of the period and circumstances, and contained more work than play. He early was compelled to assume many of the responsibilities of manhood, and at the age of eight years was put to plowing the fields. After the death of his father, he and his brother John took charge of the home place, that contains ninety-six acres. Later Mr. KNIGHT purchased the place where he is now living and there, he and his mother and sister, thereafter made their home. A man of rare capablities, Mr. KNIGHT has made a success of his undertakings and has extended his holdings from time to time, until he now owns five hundred and eighty-five acres, all valuable farm and pasture land. His prosperity is entirely due to his inherent ability, clear judgment and determination of purpose. He is progressive in his methods and his fields are cultivated in accordance with modern ideas, his farm being thoroughly equipped with all implements and appliances that will tend to reduce the labor and improve the standard. He rents a portion of his land and hires sufficient help to thoroughly cultivate the remainder of his fields, giving his personal supervision to everything on his farm. In addition to general farming, Mr. KNIGHT is largely engaged in the raising and feeding of stock, both having proven very remunerative under his competent direction.

Mr. KNIGHT is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Black Hawk township, and in politics he is a republican, but not strictly partisan, his vote of recent years often times being cast for the man he deems best qualified for the office, irrespective of his political principles. For fourteen years he served as clerk of Black Hawk township, and for two as trustee, while he was assessor for ten. He was president of the township school board for several terms and a director of district No. 8 for a number of years, serving with efficiency in both capacities. Mr. KNIGHT is one of the self-made men of Black Hawk township, whose prosperity is recognized by his many friends as the well deserved reward of self-denial, energy and thrift.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.