George A. Knight

George A. KNIGHT and his father, Dr. A. W. KNIGHT,  were prominent citizens of Brazil and Knightsville.  Dr. KNIGHT founded the town of Knightsville in 1857.  The following information is from the biography section of Wm. Travis’ History of Clay County, 1909:

“GEORGE A. KNIGHT (1840- ): … A native of Ohio, Mr. (George A.) KNIGHT was born in Mount Sterling, Muskingum County, May 7, 1840, his parents being Dr. Austin W. and Achsah (CROSDALE) KNIGHT. The father, who was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, September 5, 1807, and spent his last days in Brazil, Indiana, where he passed away December 21, 1877, at the age of seventy years . . . His wife, who was born October 10, 1803, passed away May 27, 1887.  In their family were five children, of whom three are now living: Elizabeth, the wife of William H. WINEGARDNER, George A. KNIGHT, and Charles H. KNIGHT.

“George A. KNIGHT pursued a public school education in Ohio and Indiana and took up the study of law in the office and under the direction of the firm of Follett & Follett, attorneys of Ohio.  He also read to some extent in the office of James M. HANNA of Sullivan County and successfully passing the required examination was admitted to the bar in 1861.  He is today the oldest practitioner in Brazil circuit, having for forty-seven years been a well-known representative of the legal fraternity here.  He was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Indiana in 1871 and to the United States Circuit Court in 1881, while in 1891 he was admitted to practice in the United States Circuit Court of Appeals, and in 1895 to the Supreme Court of the United States at Washington, D. C. . . . He has for almost a half century been connected with the most important criminal cases that have appeared in the courts of his district and has won many notable forensic victories.

“On the 13th of May, 1862, Mr. KNIGHT was married to Miss Lucia E. HUSSEY, who was born at Carlisle, Sullivan County, Indiana, April 8, 1843, and was a daughter of Edward S. and Eliza HUSSEY.  Her father was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and removing westward at an early day cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Sullivan County, Indiana.  For a number of years he was proprietor of the National Hotel in Terre Haute and in 1856 came to Brazil, being prominent in its business life and public interests for a long period.  For twelve or fourteen years he served as postmaster of the city and gave a businesslike administration in the discharge of the duties of the office. . . His family numbered seven children, of whom three are now living:  Edward H. HUSSY, a resident of Wisconsin; Joseph L. HUSSY, who makes his home in California; and John B. HUSSY, also a resident of that state.

“Unto Mr. and Mrs. KNIGHT were born five children:  Grace, the wife of Wilber E. HOUPE; Austin W. KNIGHT, a practicing attorney of Brazil; Helen, the wife of Dr. David L. KAHN, now living in Indianapolis, Indiana; Lucia, the wife of George G. KERFOOT, a resident of Brazil; and Edward H. KNIGHT, an attorney of Indianapolis, Indiana.  The wife and mother died December 21, 1892, and her demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for her many good qualities of heart and mind had gained her the esteem and friendship of those with whom she had been brought in contact.”

On page 114 of Travis’ history it states: “On the present George A. KNIGHT corner was a cabin occupied by a basket maker named CHASE.”

There are several other pages on which interesting information about George A. KNIGHT and his relatives can be found.   (The CD of Wm. Travis’ History of Clay County, 1909, is available for purchase from the Clay County Genealogical Society.)

Clay County Indiana