KNOX, Washington W. - 1912 Bio (1849-1924)

KNOX, DOUGHTY, DOWNEY, RAMEY, LAWSON, ROBINSON, BENDER, VANNESS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/19/2007 at 20:18:16

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 442-444

Washington W. KNOX, who since 1903 has been postmaster at Abingdon, in Polk township, Jefferson county, Iowa, was born February 6, 1849, on the farm in Wapello county on which his maternal grandfather, Skillman DOUGHTY, settled in 1845. He is the son of William D. and Amanda Jane (DOUGHTY) KNOX, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. Skillman DOUGHTY, who was a blacksmith by trade, was born in Virginia in 1897 (sic - 1797) and came to Iowa in 1845, where he resided until his death, June 12, 1887. His wife, Jane (DOWNEY) DOUGHTY, was born in Nichoas county, Kentucky, in 1795 and survived her husband by three years, dying in 1890 at Abingdon. At the time of her husband's death they had been married seventy years and three months, lacking one day -- an occurrence that is very unusual in life. The paternal grandfather, Samuel KNOX, was born in Virginia in 1768 and died in Illinois in 1865. He was a minister of the gospel in the Christian church and also followed the occupation of farming. William D. KNOX, the father, was born in 1822. He followed the occupation of farming until 1853, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Abingdon, Iowa, and remained there until 1856. He then removed to Illinois, where he resided until 1859, at which time he went to the gold mines of California and is still living in that state. He served in the rebellion against the Mormons at Nauvoo, Illinois. In Wapello county, Iowa, he wedded Amanda Jane DOUGHTY, who was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, in 1825. After his departure for California the wife, together with the children, returned to Abingdon, Iowa, where she lived until 1879 and then removed to Eldon, Iowa, at which place she died in July, 1880.

Washington W. KNOX remained at home with his mother and attended school in Abingdon until 1872 and then began farming in Polk township, where he remained until 1886. At that date he removed to Locust Grove township and the following year returned to Abingdon where he bought town property and began working as a traction and stationary engineer. He followed his trade until 1893. Under President Roosevelt's administration in 1903 he was appointed postmaster of Abingdon, a position in which he is still serving.

Washington W. KNOX has been twice married. On January 25, 1872, he wedded Miss Sarah L. RAMEY, who died in Abingdon, December 23, 1887. She was a daughter of Henry RAMEY, a farmer of Polk township. To this union five children were born: Mary, who is the wife of Joseph LAWSON, a coal miner and farmer, living five miles south of Fairfield; William H., who lives with his brother-in-law, Mr. LAWSON, and is a farmer and wood chopper; John M., who resides with his father; Rachel, the wife of Bert ROBINSON, a railroad man of El Dorado, Arkansas; and Martha Ellen, the wife of Charles BENDER, a farmer of Wapello county, Iowa. On December 31, 1893, Mr. KNOX was married to Miss Rosetta VANNESS, a daughter of Amos VANNESS, who resides near Abingdon. They are the parents of two children: Flossie, who is at home and helps her father in the postoffice; and Norris A., who is at home and attends the high school in Abingdon.

Mr. KNOX is a stalwart republican and a public-spirited man, taking an active interest in all local politics in the town of Abingdon. He has served as justice of the peace in Polk township for three years and a constable for two years. He is greatly interested in the cause of education and has been a member of the school board since 1896. His wife is a faithful worker in the Methodist Episcopal church and they both have many friends in Abingdon. His support of amy movement or measure is never half-hearted nor is his position an equivocal one, therefore his cooperation constitutes a valued factor in the furthering of the interests of the public welfare.

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