Miami Union
February 1898

In Memoriam

The bar of Darke County as well as of the entire judicial district has met with an irreparable loss in the death of Hon. John Riley Knox, who was one of the foremost members of the legal profession. To the writer he was a most valued friend, whose lovable qualities were of the most endearing kind. We cannot give better expression to our feelings of sorrow and grief over his death than is contained in the following extracts from the resolutions of the Darke County Bar. John Riley Knox was born May 20th, A.D., 1820, and died February 7th, 1898. He graduated with honors at Miami University in the class of 1839. He had been connected with the management of that institution of learning as one of its officers, for twenty-nine years last past, and was holding the position of trustee there of by appointment of the Governor of Ohio, at the time of his death. In the spring of 1839 he founded that great college fraternity known all over the United States as the Beta Theta Pi. He organized the fraternity, wrote its constitution, and was the last survivor of its charter members. He was married in November, 1845, to Isabel S. Briggs. Four children were born of this union, a son, Harry, an officer in the United States Navy, and at present holding the rank of Commander; a daughter, Elizabeth, the esteemed wife of our fellow-townsman, James Lansdowne, cashier of the Farmer's National Bank, survive him to comfort and console his widow in her bitter bereavement and irreparable loss. After graduating at college he commenced preparing for the bar, and was admitted to practice law in the year 1843, and from that time until his death, about fifty-five years, he actively followed the profession of his choice. As a lawyer, he was noted for his devotion to the interests of his clients, his ability and the careful pains with which he prepared his cases, and the vigor in prosecuting them to court and jury, as recognized all through his life. In his intercourse with his brethren at the bar he was always generous, polite and courteous. As a lawyer he sought no advantage through favoritism, and never tried to win his battles by doubtful methods. He relied solely upon his knowledge of the law and the merits of his case. He despised a court or jury that was not unsullied. His fidelity to his clients was never open to suspicion. To the poor he gave counsel and advice without fee or reward. For the last quarter of a century he was the recognized leader at the bar. There was no malice in his heart, and no tyranny in his nature. Refined in his tastes, he was always in and out of court, a cultured gentleman. Trained in the schools, a lover of books, a great reader, a ripe scholar, he was by nature most kind and courteous, unostentatious and unpretentious. In his feelings he was as tender as a woman. He lived a life above reproach, and was universally esteemed when he died. He left the world better for having lived therein. His upright life and noble virtues will survive him for the emulation of all who knew him.  What more need be said of him. What higher tribute can be paid to the memory of any man than to say, as we do of Mr. Knox, that he was true to every trust; loyal to every obligation taken; faithful in the performance of every duty; generous and kindly in every impulse; sincere in his friendships; esteemed by his associates; and beloved by his family.  He lived to enjoy the gratitude, respect and confidence of all. He died after the sun of his life was well set in the west, but, like the great law-giver of old, "His eye was not dim, nor his natural forces abated." He died at peace with men, and in favor with God.

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