KNOTT, William Henry 1864-19??

KNOTT, PEPPER, TUCKER, HARBISON, MCKAY, GORHAM, VANCE, HOLLIN, JEMISON, TODD, TURNER, LOVELL

Posted By: Betty Hootman-Volunteer
Date: 3/2/2014 at 16:43:21

WILLIAM H. KNOTT

William Henry Knott, __?__ passed away at his home _?_day morning following a short illness. His health had gradually failed for several years.

The son of Henry and Sarah Pepper Knott, he was born at Farmington on April 19, 1864. After his mother’s death in 1869, he and his sister, Lou E. Knott lived for six years with his paternal grandparents on a farm east of Farmington. His first school teacher was Miss Lizzie Walker, his first school in the Christian Church. The late Edwin Reynolds was one of his classmates. He was a member of the first class to be graduated from Farmington High School that of 1884.

He begins the study of law with George W. Ringer in 1880 and continued with George W. Adams until February 1886 when he was admitted to the bar at Wichita, Kansas. He practiced law in St. John, Kansas, Carthage, Missouri and Trinidad, Colorado, where he was appointed Referee of the Colorado 19th Irrigation District.

He was married June 6, 1888, to Eva Estella Tucker at St. John, Kansas. They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary here in 1938 and rounded out more than 63 years of life to __cut off___.
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He returned in 1890 to Farmington and was employed for 7 years at the Van Buren County Savings Bank. He then published The Farmington News for ten and a half years. Later newspaper experience was with the Keokuk Daily Gate City and The Clinton (Iowa) Herald. In 1923, he took over The News-Republican, publishing it un 1938. The late George F. Smith of the Van Buren Democrat credited Mr. Knott with being the “best editorial writer to come out of Van Buren County.”

He was a charter member of the Massasoit Tribe, Improved Order of Red Man and Past Great Sachem of Iowa. He was considered an authority on the early history of Farmington and many consulted him in regard to early inhabitants.

“Bill”, as everyone called him, was loved and respected by old and young alike. His friendly and considerate ways endeared him to the entire community. Outspoken _?_ a marked degree, he would _?__ht for the community and its interests and just as conscientiously would he support measures far ahead of their acceptance by the general public. Bill Knott was one of the pioneers in the good roads movements, agitating and advocating for hard roads back in the days when road were being surfaced by by a drag and mule team. In more than one instance did he use his influence in helping “the underdog” gain position of importance.

He leaves his widow, one son, Stanton, of Richmond, Indiana, three daughters, Mrs. Gladys Harbison of Chicago, Mrs. Caroline McKay of Dallas City, Illinois, Katherine L. Knott of Lawton, Oklahoma, two sons-in-law, Dr. N. B. McKay and Thos. A. Harbison, a granddaughter, Mrs. Rex Gorham, San Diego, greatgrandson(sic), Bill Gorham of Richmond and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mamie, a son, Orville and a daughter, Ava Ruth.

Funeral services were conducted at the home by the Rev. Paul P. Jackson of Kingsley, Iowa.

Pallbearers were Thos. A. Harbison, his nephews, Merle Tucker, Elwood Vance, Ralph Hollin, and Harold Jemison and William Cahill who had been with him on the News-Republican.

Out of town relatives at the funeral were Mrs. Lou E. Knott and daughter, Mrs. Glen Todd, of Memphis, Mo., Dr. N. B. McKay of Dallas City, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hollin of Milton, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Thelbert Turner of Quincy, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lovell of Fairfield, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Jemison of Keo_?_, ___________cut off__________.

Source: Scrapbook of Unknown Origin, page 75