KNOTT, Eva Estella (TUCKER) 1865-1957

KNOTT, TUCKER, MAXWELL, HARBISON, MCKAY, GORHAM

Posted By: Betty Hootman-Volunteer
Date: 2/28/2014 at 16:58:04

Estella Tucker Knott

Eva Estella Tucker Knott, daughter of Rollin and Caroline Maxwell Tucker, was born June 19, 1865 at Kokomo, Indiana. She was taken to Burlington Hospital on May 3 following a fall, which resulted in a fractured hip. Two of her daughters were with her when she passed away at the hospital on July 19, 1957.

Mrs. Knott spent her early life in Richmond, Indiana, where she attended High School and Earlham College, then known as Friends Boarding School. She was a birthright member of the Friends Church, as was her brother, the late Mr. Rollin Tucker of Farmington.

Her grandfather, H. W. Maxwell, was from the Carolina group of Friends who came during the early part of the last century and pioneered in the industrial and educational development of the new state of Indiana. He was a contractor, builder and farmer. He constructed several of the Earlham College buildings and owned the first street car system in Richmond.

The family moved from Richmond to St. John, Kansas, where they lived for several years. She was married June 6, 1888, by the Quaker rites, to William H. Knott, who was practicing law in St. John at that time. Later, they moved to Colorado where Mr. Knott became a district judge.

In 1892 they moved to Farmington, Iowa. Mr. Knott’s former home, where she soon became actively identified with the life of the community.

A loyal member of Chapter O, P. E. O., she filled various offices. As an Eastern Star she served thirty-four years as secretary of Mizpah Chapter, No. 24, O. E. S.

A lifelong student of Shakespeare, she was said to be above the average in her knowledge of his works. Others often sought from her explanation or interpretation of obscure passages almost instantly when occasion demanded. There being no Friends or Quaker Church in Farmington, Mrs. Knott affiliated herself with the Congregational Church and was an active worker in every department as long as her health permitted.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William H. Knott, a son, Orville, and a daughter, Ava Ruth.

Mrs. Knott is survived by a son, Stanton, of Richmond, Indiana, three daughters, Mrs. T. A. Harbison and Mrs. N. B. McKay of Chicago, and Katherine Knott of Phoenix, Arizona; a granddaughter, Mrs. Rex Gorham of San Diego, California, a great grandson, Bill Gorham in military service in Germany and a number of nieces and nephews.

Services were held at the Congregational Church in Farmington with the Reverend Robert Folkert of the Keosauqua Congregational Church officiating. Chapter O, conducted the P. E. O. funeral service. Pallbearers were Merle Tucker, Elwood Vance, H. W. Miller, H. C. Jiranek, William Cahill and Everett Moore.

Source: Scrapbook of Unknown Origin, page 72