Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    WILLIAM J. McKNIGHT

    WILLIAM J. McKNIGHT, owner of eighty-six acres of valuable land in Miami County, Ohio, located about five miles northeast of Piqua, has been living on his present farm since 1872 and is well known in that vicinity. He was born in Shelby County, Ohio, August 18, 1837, an is a son of Joseph and Mary (Wiley) McKnight, and a grandson of Samuel McKnight, who came from Ireland to the United States and settled in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was William Wiley , who was a native of County Firmanagh, Ireland, and came to Miami County, Ohio, from Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, where he had lived some years. Joseph McKnight moved from Shelby County, Ohio, to Miami County, in 1867, and settled on a farm in Spring Creek Township, where he lived until his death.

    William J. McKnight received his educational training in the public schools of Shelby County, and after leaving school helped in farming the home place. After a time he moved to Miami County, where he, remained a couple of years, then returned to Shelby County, where he lived until 1872. He again returned to Miami County in that year and purchased his present farm of eighty-six acres in Spring Creek Township. He followed general farming until recent years, but is now living practically in retirement, renting his farm out by fields.

    Mr. McKnight was first married to Elizabeth N. Bull, who died in 1869, and they had three sons: Joseph T., who married Mattie Whitlock and lives in Chicago; William R., who married Anna Hutchinson and lives in Columbus, Ohio; and Edwin E., who first married a Mrs. Bradford, and second Miss Anna Dover. William J. McKnight formed a second marital union with Miss Mary Morrow, a daughter of James Morrow, of Shelby County, and they became parents of three daughters: Leota, who lives at home; Minnie, wife of Ward Simmons; and Mary Lilly, who also lives with her parents. Politically he is a Prohibitionist, and has served as road supervisor. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church and formerly served as one of its trustees. He is a progressive citizen and is held in high esteem by his many acquaintances.

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