BENJAMIN F. KNOTT.

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         Benjamin F. Knott, who is closely identified with the agricultural interests of Louisa county, and on account of his genial nature is well thought of by the entire community, was born in this county October 20, 1848. He is a son of Peter and Eliza (Kelly) Knott, the former of whom was born in New Jersey and the latter in Ohio. Mr. Knott, Sr., came to Louisa county, Iowa, in 1845 but soon returned to Ohio, where he continued for three years, at the end of which time he again took up his residence in Louisa county, purchasing eighty acres of land near Letts. He was successful as a farmer and became the owner of one hundred and twenty-six acres of good land. He passed the latter years at Vanwert, Iowa, where he died May 12, 1901, having then arrived at the age of seventy-seven. There were twelve children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Knott, six of whom survive: Benjamin F., of this review; Mary, who married William Highsmith and lives at Council Bluffs, Iowa; Edward, who is engaged in farming in Louisa county; Charles, who makes his home at Holton, Kansas; Oliver, also of Louisa county; and John, who resides in the state of Washington.

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         Mr. Knott of this review possessed advantages of education in the district schools and as he grew to manhood assisted his father upon the home farm. At the age of twenty-two he began farming on his own account and a few years later went to Kansas, taking up a government land claim in that state in 1874. In 1875 he returned to Louisa county and rented eighty acres of his father, which he cultivated for five years. He then rented one hundred acres in another part of the county and continued renting various tracts of land until he acquired sufficient money to purchase sixty-six acres on his own account, upon which he established a homestead. He subsequently bought forty-six acres. He makes a specialty of raising corn and hogs and, as he is an industrious man of good judgment as a farmer, is meeting with merited success.

         On the 23d of February, 1876, Mr. Knott was married to Miss Emma Bennington, and to this union four children were born: Lena, who is the wife of Roy McNemar, of Waukon, Iowa; Charles, living in Muscatine; Elmer, who makes his home at Omaha, Nebraska; and Myrtle, the wife of Orlando Wilcox, of Columbus Junction. Mr. Knott was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died March 13, 1909. She was a woman of many estimable qualities that endeared her to all with whom she associated.

         On the 18th of July, 1911, Mr. Knott married Mrs. Catherine M. (Gipple) Sutherland, the widow of Elihu Sutherland, by whom she had five children, namely: Lee W., a resident of Denver, Colorado; John S., of Oklahoma; Naomi, the wife of Charles Smith, of Grundy Center, Nebraska; Carl, of Denver, Colorado; and Mary Margaret, who died at the age of twelve years.

         In politics he gives his support to the democratic party and, although he is not a politician, he has served to the satisfaction of the people in various townships offices. As a native of Iowa he is deeply interested in everything that concerns the state, especially in matters pertaining to Louisa county. By a strictly upright course he has won the confidence of his fellowmen and always takes just pride in doing what he can to add to the general good.