Paul F. Knight, now deceased, was born October 3, 1814, in Hamilton county, Ohio, and died in Casstown, Miami county, February 6, 1889. His birth occurred near Cincinnati and when four years of age he was brought to this county. His parents were Jonathan and Catherine (James) Knight. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and a son of William Knight, who purchased the land where the Orphans' Home now stands, becoming a resident of this county after the removal of his son to this section of the state. Jonathan Knight had purchased land near Conover, Miami county, but died before making a permanent location here. Soon after his death the mother, with her son, Paul, then four years of age, came to Lost Creek township, locating on Lost Creek, where the grandfather had settled. William Knight died in this locality when well advanced in years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Miss Corbly, survived him some time and made her home with her son, William, for a number of years. She was a sister of Mrs. Martin, who was scalped by the Indians in early life. Paul Knight was one in a family of seven children, of whom Mrs. Isaac Clyne is now the only survivor. The four sons of the family were William, Stephen, Paul and Corbly. Their mother remained upon the farm which had been given her by her father-in-law, and there reared her sons and daughters.

Paul Knight remained under the parental roof and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He was married, April 6, 1837, to Miss Charlotte Ensminger, a daughter of Philip and Mary (Parks) Ensminger, who came from Pennsylvania to Ohio, making a location in Greene county, where their daughter Charlotte was born, on the 3d of August, 1819. The father was a miller and followed that pursuit on Wolf creek. When Mrs. Knight was about ten years of age he purchased the Burkhalter mill on Lost creek, remodeling and rebuilding portions of it and successfully conducting it until after the time of his daughter's marriage Later he sold that property and removed to Indiana, where he died at the advanced age of ninety years. Mrs. Knight was the only one of the family to remain in Miami county.

After his marriage Paul Knight located on the farm adjoining the old homestead, and there successfully carried on agricultural pursuits for a number of years. To his mother, who had carefully cared for him in his youth, he gave a good home in her declining years, her last days being spent as a member of his household. She was called to her final rest when about seventy-five years of age. Mr. Knight succeeded to the ownership of the old homestead, and later he became the owner of the old Ensminger mill, which had been rebuilt by his wife's father. After operating it for some time he sold that property, and it is still used for its original purpose. The first mill was built by George Green, grandfather of Davis Green, and since that time a mill has been continuously in operation at that place. In his later years Mr. Knight retired from business life. Selling his farm, he removed to Casstown, where he made his home for seven years. His business career was one of activity and industry, guided by sound judgment, and his well directed efforts brought to him a very comfortable competence, which enabled him to spend his declining years in retirement. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Knight were born nine children: Stephen, who died in childhood; Catherine, wife of Robert Winters, of Brown county, Kansas; Caroline, widow of H. Covault, a resident of Lost Creek township; Franklin, who is living in Muncie, Indiana; Joseph, a resident of St. Paris, Champaign county, Ohio; Mary, wife of J. R. Fuller, now living with her mother; Charles Luther, whose home is in Galion, Ohio; William, a resident of Wapakoneta, Ohio, and Lorenzo, who died at the age of thirty-one years.

Mrs. Knight has also reared two grandchildren--Lottie, wife of Harry Killian, of Albany, Indiana, and Allie, wife of Loren Coppock, of Tippecanoe City. They were daughters of Franklin Knight, and their mother died during their early girlhood. Mrs. Fuller has three children: James, of Columbus, Ohio; Anna and Charley.

In his political views Mr. Knight was a Republican, but never sought or desired office, preferring that his attention should be given to his business interests, in which he met with creditable success. In religious faith he was a Baptist, and his life was upright and honorable, consistent with his profession. In his death the community lost one of its valued citizens, one whose identification with the county covered all the years from its pioneer development, and who had taken an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of the community. He was particularly well versed on religious subjects and was fond of all argument, but was always just and considerate of his opponents. He possessed many excellent qualities, which endeared him to his friends and neighbors, and in the history of Miami county he well deserves representation. His widow still survives him, but on account of ill health is now confined to the house. Soon after her marriage she became a member of the Baptist church and in her life has ever exemplified her Christian faith.