Person:Agnes Lyle (4)

Census: 1920 United States Federal Census Name: Knight, Agnes Age: 71 years Estimated birth year: 1848 Birthplace: Canada Race: White Home in 1920: Fife Lake, Grand Traverse, Michigan Roll: T625_767 Page: 3B ED: 16 Image: 0748

BIOGRAPHY: Newsletter of the Grand Traverse Area Genealogical Society Post Office Box 2015 Traverse City, MI 49685-2015 http://www.rootsweb.com/~migtags/gtag.htm

Probate File 123: Estate of Donald McDougal

Donald McDougal died on 1 February 1872. He had a wife named Marion McDougal, an adopted daughter Elizabeth Jane McDougal, and another heir, Agnes Lyle [or Knight] of Paradise township. Marion McDougal died within a year of her husband. Alva K. Wynkoop was the administrator of the estate. George N. Campbell and Lucius A. Knight appraised estate which included NE 1/4 of section 24, Township 25 North, Range 10 West totaling 80 acres; one cow, one no. 9 cook stove and furniture, two grind stone, one five pail kettle, one hay fork, one hoe, two small scythes, one scythe, one c[?] hook, nine drag teeth, 1200 feet common lumber, 200 feet cull lumber, 15 bush wheat, one double barrel shot gun, one rifle, one cross cut saw, one cross cut hand saw, one slit hand saw, one jack plane, one smoothing plane, one set match plane, one 1 1/2 inch chisel, one 3/8 inch chisel, one steel square, one broad axe, one 2 inch auger, one 1 inch augur, one bit stock, one 6/8 inch augur, one 1/2 inch augur, one hammer, one oil stove, one wood bench screw, one lantern, one gallon tin can, two 2 gallon tin cans, two woolen shirts, three pair woolen drawers, and money ($178.92). On 4 Jan. 1872 McDougal had prepared his will which left 1). wife Marion McDougal all land except 1/2 acre where the burying ground is. 2). all goods and chattels to Marion McDougal as long as she remains his widow, if she remarries then it shall be resold and she gets 2/3 and the remaining 1/3 to adopted daughter Elizabeth Jane McDougal for the purpose of educating her. In case of wife Marion's death before two years of date- all property sold and all to go to daughter Elizabeth Jane McDougall excepting the cow which shall go to Agnes Lyle. Witnessed by Alvah K. Wynkoop and George N. Campbell.Lizzie McDougal later married Mr. Skeels and in November 1890 was living in Gladstone.

Part of Probate of will 21 June 1873. Claim. Walton [MI}- Estate of Donald McDougal, account with Agnes L. Knight for services rendered for 3 1/2 years. 20 Oct. 1868 first two years at $8.00 per month, third year and 5 1/2 months at $12.00 per month. Last two weeks (during sickness) at $10.00 per week. Total comes to $422.00. To board and care of Elizabeth Jane McDougal for 14 months at one dollar per week comes to $60.00. Total claim is $482.

Newspaper Article Williams Northern Light Wednesday June 10, 1981 Williams, Minnesota

   The Historical Society recently received a nice letter from May Zehr in Grants Pass,,Oregon. With it she enclosed a few pages describing her memories of Agnes Lyle Knight, a "pioneer women" from the Williams area in the late 1800's and early 1900's. This is her story:

A Pioneer Woman to Remember

   In the early days, there were many pioneer women in and around Williams. Interesting stories could be written about them all--of their strength and bravery, how they managed to, raise families with so many hardships and so few material things. This is a story of one so outstanding that surely young and old alike will remark at her courage.

   A baby born to Thomas and Mary Lyle on February 5, 1852, at Lanark,Ontario,Canada, was named Agnes. When Agnes was only five years old, her mother died. She was taken in by a family named McDougal, and at a very early age Agnes learned hard work. The McDougals and Agnes moved to Michigan in 1868.

   In March of 1870 Agnes married Lucious Knight, a Civil War veteran. In their twenty years of marriage, they had nine children. Then after a two-year illness, Lucious died in 1900. Agnes continued to live and work their farm. She raised the children until 1908 when the youngest, a daughter, Hazel, was the only one left at home.

   Agnes and Hazel moved up north of Williams to be with Agnes' son, Wayne. The land was very rugged; the roads consisted of pole trails through the swamps. Nevertheless, in a short while Agnes filed on a homestead, and Wayne built her a cabin among the trees (at that time the natives called it "The Green Timber") She made frequent trips to Michigan and later proved up on her claim.

   Agnes Knight was very popular. Her closest neighbors found her to be a wonderful nurse who was never to busy to come and help. She was also a self-taught veterinarian and knew many remedies. Children thought of her as a fairy godmother and loved to visit her house as she always greeted them with a smile, some story about a bear she had seen and cookie or an apple, which was a big treat.

   She would put on her boots, hang a little packsack over her shoulder and go many miles to deliver a baby--sometimes two! She would attend the birth, take care of the mother, cook, wash and clean--usually for two weeks. There were no Pampers or convenience foods. She had to carry water from a well, heat it in a so-called boiler on a wood stove and wash on a washboard. Folks gave her a small sum as she never asked for pay. People couldn't afford to pay much. Agnes never lost a child. Once a baby was born with an extra finger. The father cut it off, and it was up to Agnes to stop the bleeding and save the baby, which she did.

   Agnes was a courageous woman who feared neither "man nor beast." There may still be some who remember a grand lady - Agnes Knight. She died December 1, 1934, while on a visit at Oxdrift,Ontario,Canada