Person:Gilbert Knauss (1)

GILBERT T. KNAUSS. Devoting his energies to farm work is th is native son of OH, who now owns and operates a farm i n Middleton township. He was born in Medina CO, June 2 , 1852, and is a son of George Knauss, one of the early set tlers of this locality. When only two years of age he cam e with his parents to Wood CO, and attended school in P lain and Center townships. He worked with his father on th e farm, aiding in its development, and also learned the tra de of a blacksmith, which he followed for two years in Plai n township. At the age of nineteen he came to Middleton tow nship, where he owned forty acres of land, and at once bega n the development and improvement of his property. He has e rected a comfortable country home thereon at a cost of $1,5 00,-built good barns, laid many rods of tiling, and set ou t an excellent orchard. In connection with the developmen t of this property, he has also engaged in conducting a bla cksmith shop, and has been quite successful in his business . His son now cares for the farm, while he is devoting hi s energies entirely to the work in the smithy. Mr. Knauss was married on June 18, 1871, to Frances Grover , who was born in Ballville township, Sandusky CO, Sept ember 3, 1848. They now have four children-George Franklin , born September 26, 1872;Nora M., born February 20, 1877 , now the wife of Allen Ewing, of Plain township; Florenc e May, born November 19, 1878; and Edna M., born August 9 , 1889. Mr. Knauss has ever been a loyal citizen, a fact which he d emonstrated when only eleven years of age by attempting t o enlist in the army, but on account of his extreme youth h is father prevented him. He has for a number of yearsserve d as school director, and was instrumental in securing th e establishment of a school near his home. In politics, h e is a Republican, and in religious faith adheres to the Un ited Brethren Church. He is a broad-minded man, possessed o f excellent qualities, and is deservedly numbered among th e leading citizens of the community.