William Wylie McKnight (1908)
DORR, FRITZ, HAWKINS, LIKENS, MCCAUGHAN, MCKNIGHT
Posted By: Judy Wight Branson
Date: 7/22/2004 at 20:34:12
The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Friday, February 21, 1908
Page 1, Column 5W. W. McKnight, one of Winterset's oldest citizens, died Friday from complicated liver complaint, after a short illness.
Mr. McKnight was born in Washington county, Indiana, in 1822. In 1855 he came to Winterset, he was married to Miss Hawkins in December 1855. To Mr. and Mrs. McKnight were born 7 children, 3 of whom died in early years. His wife, one son, Mr. Charles McKnight, of Chicago, and 3 daughters, Mrs. Emma McCaughan, of Chicago, Mrs. Sarah Dorr and Mrs. Nellie Fritz, formerly of Newton, now of California, survive him. (further informtion, but not of genealogical interest)
________________________The Winterset Reporter
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, February 20, 1908
Page 1Death of W. W. McKnight
Another of the pioneers of Madison county and one of the early builders died in this city last week in the person of W. W. McKnight at the advanced age of eighty-five years past. Mr. McKnight was confined to his home but about a week, prior to that time he was about and regularly attended to his business. He was a man of iron constitution and has always been active. Moving here in an early day he at once became identified with the growth and development of Winterset and Madison county. He has always been public spirited and active in all matters pertaining to the upbuilding of the community. His indomitable courage and determination sustained him throughout his long career and by it his activities were prolonged until the last.
He died last Friday night about midnight, in the same month and on the same day of the month on which his mother died, twenty-eight years ago. The funeral services were held at the home Sunday afternoon, conducted by his pastor, Rev. J. S. Corkey, assisted by Dr. McCaughan. The attendance at the services was large, the Masonic order of which he had been a member for over half a century was represented by about one hundred men, and who participated in the burial services. Of the four children living, two were present at the time of his death and burial, Mrs. G. E. McCaughan and Charles McKnight, both of Chicago, the remaining children, Mrs. C. W. Dorr and Mrs. Fred Fritz reside in California and could not attend.
William Wylie McKnight was born near Salem, Washington county, Ind., September 16th, 1822, his parents being Robert R. and Anna Little McKnight, the latter of whom is well remembered by many of our older citizens. Mr. McKnight’s paternal ancestors were early settlers in Pennsylvania. His maternal grandfather, Alexander Little, was prominent, officially and in business, in the early days of Indiana.
Mr. McKnight engaged in the farm work of his home in his youth; received his education in the common schools and preparatory department of Hanover college. He spent several years in teaching and in mercantile life in Indiana, coming to Winterset in April, 1855. Here he was engaged in real estate and mercantile business until he became one of the organizers and cashier of the First National Bank of Winterset in January, 1865. This position, with the exception of about eighteen months, he held until January, 1877. Although a public spirited man, Mr. McKnight avoided public life and with the exception of school work held no public offices.
He was an active communicant in the Presbyterian church and one of its strong supporters. He was prominent in the Masonic Fraternity and was the last surviving charter member of the Des Moines Commandry, Knight’s Templar.
He was married December 2nd, 1855, to Hannah Likens, to whom there were born seven children. Mrs. McKnight and four of the children survive him.
________________________The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, February 20, 1908
Page 1, Column 2WINTERSET PIONEER PASSES AWAY
W. W. McKnight, a Pioneer Citizen Goes to His Reward. Had Lived Here for Fifty-three Years.
W. W. McKnight, pioneer citizen business man of Winterset passed away at his home at eleven o'clock Friday evening after a short illness. Mr. McKnight was one of the early settlers of this county and one of the few men now remaining who were engaged in business here before the time of the civil war. He was born in Washington county, Indiana, September 16, 1822. After growing to manhood he spent several years in teaching school and in the mercantile business. April 26, 1855, he came to Madison county which remained his home until death – a period of fifty-three years. He was engaged in the real estate mercantile business until year 1865 when he helped to organize and became the first cashier of the First National Bank of this city and retained that position for twelve years.
He was married to Hannah Likens of Vermilion county, Illinois, December, 1855. Seven children were born to them of which four with the mother survive. They are Charles McKnight and Mrs. Emma McCaughan of Chicago, Mrs. Nellie Fritz, of Long Beach and Mrs. Sarah Dorr, of San Francisco, California.
The deceased was a man of deep religious convictions and had been a constant attendant of the Winterset Presbyterian Church since the establishment of that church.
He stood high in the Masonic fraternity. He became a mason at Bridgeport, Ind, March 8, 1854 and remained an honored member of that fraternity throughout the remainder of his 54 years. He was a member of Lebanon chapter R. A. .M. at this place and the last surviving charter member of Temple Commandry No. 4, Des Moines and a member of the Shrine at the same place. He was master of the Winterset lodge in the years '55-'56 and '59 and at different times he was chosen to offices within the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the state all, of which he filled with fidelity and honor to himself and to the fraternity.
Funeral services were held from the late home on Sunday afternoon conducted by Rev. J. S. Corkey of the Presbyterian Church assisted by Dr. C. T. McCaughan. Temple Commandry lodge of Des Moines and Evening Star lodge of this place accompanied the remains to the last resting place and had charge of the service of the grave.
Gravesite
Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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