Paul F. Knight, farmer; P. O. Casstown; born in Hamilton County, Ohio, Oct. 3, 1814; is a son of Jonathan and Catharine (James) Knight. The grandfather, William Knight, was among the early pioneers of Miami County, and first located on the farm where the Orphan's Home is now situated; here he endured all of the hardships of the early settlers; his first crop of corn was raised by keeping his gun within a few feet of him and, as he came up to it, he would carry it a few feet in advance again, and so on through the field, so as to be ready for defense against the Indians; these were days of trials and dangers, of which the present generation know nothing; The father, Jonathan, located in Hamilton County; lived and died there. After the father's death, the son, Paul, and elder brother, William, were brought to this county; Paul was raised and cared for principally by his uncle, John E. Cory; Paul remained with his uncle for several years, after which he made his home with his mother, and worked out by the month for from $7 to $10 per month, a day's wages being one bushel of corn. April 6, 1837, was celebrated his marriage with Charlotte Ensminger, daughter of Philip and Mary Ensminger, who were born in Pennsylvania and removed to Green County, Ohio; thence to Miami County, and finally to Jay County, Indiana, where they lived and died. By this union Paul and Charlotte became the parents of nine children, viz., Catharine, now Mrs. R. Winters, living in Indiana; Stephen, dying in infancy; Benjamin F.; Caroline, now Mrs. W. H. Cavault; Joseph; Mary, now Mrs. J. Fuller; Charles L., William, and Lorenzo. After Mr. Knight's marriage, he located on the farm where they now reside, and here have made a continued home forty-two years. Mr. Knight, politically, is a staunch Republican; religiously, he and his wife are Baptists, having been a member of that church for about twenty years.