Person:Henry Knight (203)

BIOGRAPHY: PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH http://www.angelfire.com/amiga/plymouthcongregation/priorpastors.html Rev. Henry Fiske Knight July 1, 1911-January 3, 1917

The following information was received from Jim Knight

Excerpts from a letter written by Henry Fiske Knight to his son, Wiley, who had requested information on the "family tree". Unfortunately, Wiley did not copy the entire letter, and indicated omissions by the symbol @@@@.

    Your letter desiring information as to who you are and from whence you came, -----et cetera----came to us today and I feel in quite a mood to answer you just now. I wish you success in "climbing your ancestral rope", but as one has said, "don't climb to far or you may find some one hanging there", for no family, if traced through many generations, can show a record without blot or mar. The proverbial "Black Sheep" will be in evidence somewhere to show the common origin of our race in one who failed to make good, and so left a proneness to evil as a terrible heritage to all his descendents.

    I seldom boast of my family either immediate or ancestral and yet I do feel that we have just reason for somewhat of ancestral pride. I am glad to furnish such facts as are in my possession and if in some matters go to much into detail and so make my contribution unduly long, remember you are to edit it all and the shears as well as the pen form a part of the editor's paraphernalia (sic).

    My forebears were from England and came to this country early in it's history, but just when and where I cannot say. They settled in Rhode Island and some representatives of the families still remain there---of course they could not all remain in so small a state or Knight's there would have become as numerous there as "Pats" in Dublin or "Macs" in Glasgow.

    My parents were both Knight's before there marriage. @@@@ Both of the families from which my parents sprung moved from Providence, R.I., to Conklin, Broome Co., N.Y. about 1830

    My father's parents were Allen Ray Knight and Julia Ann (do not know family name). My father's name was Allen Wheaton. He was born Aug. 5, 1821.

    Mother's parents were Steven Leonard Knight and Cynthia Julia Jorden. There (were) nine in this family, seven sisters and two brothers. (@@@@ names, etc., omitted)

    My mother, Elizabeth Brayton Knight, was the eldest of the family. The parents of this family lived together as husband and wife for sixty seven years. Grandfather died at the age of eighty-eight and Grandmother at ninety-two. My mother was born Oct. 5, 1820, so was just ten months older then her husband. They were married at Conklin, N.Y. Aug 9 (1842) and on the 13th (your mothers birthday) they started for Wisconsin, which was to be their future home and was farther west than anywhere is today. The went from Binghampton-near Conklin---to Utica, 96 mi. on the Chinango Canal. Then the great Erie Canal to Buffalo. Then on a sail boat-no steamers yet---up the lakes, all the way to Sheboygan,Wis. There was no harbor or even a pier there and the vessel anchored off from the mouth of the Sheboygan River while passengers and freight were brought ashore on flat boats.

    About nine miles to the S.W. was their destination. Here they built their home and began pioneering in the , almost, primevile (sic) forests. Father and Mother were both well educated for common people of their day and both did some school teaching as the settlement grew larger.  Farther followed this for four years. He also served as justice of the peace and a term as Co. Registrar. He owned and operated a primitive saw mill to which he added a grist mill department as the conditions demanded it. Here he toiled and made a comfortable living for his rapidly increasing family until the winter of 1859-60 when he died on the 18th of Feb. at the early age of 38 years. There were twelve children of us. @@@@

    I have never found one women left as my mother was. Married 17 yrs. 6 mos. 9 days then left a widow with ten living children----one in it's grave and one to be born several months later. All this in a frontier home with it's accompaniment (sic) of hardship and privation.

    On Nov. 20, 1869 in Township of Hortonia, Outagamie Co., Wis., I was united in marriage with Nettie E. Fenno, whom I first met while we were both students at Lawrence University, Appleton, Wis., in 1866.

Note 1: Wiley writes: "I have not copied the next lengthy paragraph which tells of the enlistment and military service of different members of the family"

    This omission is unfortunate. Official Army records show that Henry "enrolled" in the Union Army at the age of fourteen, on 26 May 1864 for a term of "100 days". He was taken prisoner by the Confederates at Memphis, Tenn. On 21 Aug. 1864-his 87 day of service. He was admitted to the "rebel" hospital at Cahawba, Ala., on 23 Dec. 1864 and was "receipted for at Vicksburg, Miss. as a paroled prisoner 18 April 1865". The Civil War ended on 26 April 1865.

    In 1953 a booklet was published on the early history of New Plymouth, Idaho, where Henry served as pastor of the Congregational Church for several years and where he lived until his death. Concerning his military service the booklet states, in part: "Since he was so large for his years, the recruiting officer reported him as being eighteen. Ten days after signing his enlistment papers this 14-year-old boy was on the front line of battle in the infantry. Captured while on picket duty August 21…he was sent to Castle Morgan prison. Here the prisoners suffered untold hardships due to scarcity of food and lack of proper clothing and bedding. Two measures of meal with occasionally a small bit of meat constituted their food. At one time the prison stockade was flooded, and many of the men stood for two days and nights in water from two to nearly six feet deep.

    The booklet continues: "To pay his expenses at school he cared for a doctor's horse, rang the church bell which the school used during week days, and sawed a half cord of wood, twice through,  each day. He slept on the couch in the doctor's office, reporting night calls to the doctor, who lived several blocks away. His mother sent him his food. Even with all of these economies he was unable to finish his college course. Before he was twenty, he started teaching and preaching in the woods of northern Wisconsin. At one time he was a circuit of nine churches every three Sundays. On one of these three Sundays, Rev. Knight walked 25 miles to reach his three parishes.

    The Rev. Knight felt called to the ministry when ten years of age and he never lost sight of his life purpose. At one time, when his health failed, he engaged in toy making at a salary of $1000.00 a year, quite a sum in those days. However, as soon as his health permitted, he returned to the ministry at $400.00 a year rather than remain in the more profitable business.

    Leaving Wisconsin when forty years of age, he went first to South Dakota and then to Colorado in 1902, later coming to Idaho for his health. While visiting his son at Emmet, Idaho, he received an invitation to preach at the New Plymouth Congregational Church for a few Sundays. Later he was called to the church as a pastor July 1, 1911. He continued as pastor nearly six years, retiring because of failing eyesight." Comment: family members seriously question the accuracy of the year 1917 as his retirement, since he was active well beyond this time.)

Note 2: Henry refers to his wife as "Nettie E." and her grave marker bears the notation "Nettie E., his wife." However, her given name was "Eliza Jeanenette Fenno".

MILITARY: Civil War Service Records May 28, 2005 9:46 AM Name: Henry F. Knight Company: G Unit: 39 Wisconsin Infantry. Rank - Induction: Private Rank - Discharge: Private Allegiance: Union Source Information: United States National Archives. Civil War Compiled Military Service Records [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 1999-.

THE OCONTO LUMBERMAN Sept. 9th 1864 Reported that Henry F. Knight and Larkin Hawes were captured on picket post.

American Civil War Soldiers May 28, 2005 9:48 AM Name: Henry F Knight , Residence: Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin Enlistment Date: 26 May 1864 Distinguished Service: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE Side Served: Union State Served: Wisconsin Unit Numbers: 3092 3092 Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 26 May 1864 Enlisted in Company G, 39th Infantry Regiment Wisconsin on 26 May 1864. Mustered out Company G, 39th Infantry Regiment Wisconsin on 22 September 1864 in Milwaukee, WI Source Information: Historical Data Systems, comp. Military Records of Individual Civil War Soldiers. [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 1999-. Data compiled by Historical Data Systems of Kingston, MA from the following list of works. Copyright 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 - Historical Data Systems Inc.P.O. Box 196 Kingston, MA 02364

BIRTH: PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH http://www.angelfire.com/amiga/plymouthcongregation/priorpastors.html Rev. Henry Fiske Knight July 1, 1911-January 3, 1917

CENSUS: 1880 United States Federal Census Name: Henry F. Knight Home in 1880: Greenbush, Sheboygan, Wisconsin Age: 30 Estimated birth year: abt 1850 Birthplace: Wisconsin Relation to head-of-household: Self (Head) Spouse's name: Nettie E. Father's birthplace: Rhode Island Mother's birthplace: Rhode Island Occupation: Clergyman M E C Marital Status: Married Race: White Gender: Male Household Members: Name Age Henry F. Knight 30 Nettie E. Knight 29 E. Bruce Knight 9 H. Mead Knight 6 C. Mayne Knight 4 Loyd G. Knight 9M Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Greenbush, Sheboygan, Wisconsin; Roll: T9_1447; Family History Film: 1255447; Page: 6.3000; Enumeration District: 201; .

1900 United States Federal Census Name: Henry Knight Home in 1900: Cottonwood, Clark, South Dakota Age: 50 Estimated birth year: abt 1850 Birthplace: Wisconsin Relationship to head-of-house: Head Spouse's name: Jannette E Race: White Occupation:Clergyman Household Members: Name Age Henry Knight 50 Jannette E Knight 49 Jay M Knight 17 Welay W Knight 14 Clarance R Knight 4 Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Cottonwood, Clark, South Dakota; Roll: T623 1548; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 86.

1920 United States Federal Census Name: Henry F Knight Home in 1920: New Plymouth, Payette, Idaho Age: 69 years Estimated birth year: abt 1851 [abt 1853] Birthplace: Wisconsin Relation to Head of House: Head Spouse's name: Jennette Father's Birth Place: Rhode Island Mother's Birth Place: Rhode Island Marital Status: Married Race: White Sex: Male Home owned: Own Able to read: Yes Able to Write: Yes Image: 318 Household Members: Name Age Henry F Knight 69 Jennette Knight 69 Source Citation: Year: 1920;Census Place: New Plymouth, Payette, Idaho; Roll: T625_294; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 155; Image: 318.

1930 United States Federal Census Name: Henry Knight Home in 1930: New Plymouth, Payette, Idaho Age: 80 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1850 Relation to Head of House: Grandfather, Grandpa (Grandfather) Occupation: Granpa Household Members: Name Age Lynn A Knight 20 Lorene Knight 21 Henry Knight 80 Emma Leon 35 Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: New Plymouth, Payette, Idaho; Roll: 403; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 13; Image: 145.0.

OBITUARY: H. F. Knight Payette Enterprise Thursday, April 07, 1932 FATHER KNIGHT GOES TO HIS REWARD Rev. H. F. Knight died at his home in New Plymouth yesterday, Wednesday, morning. He, with his son and his son's wife, were working on his lawn when, it appears, the great Master Workman commanded and the wheels of life suddenly stood still. H. F. Knight was born at Sheboyan, Wisconsin, in 1850, and lived more than the alloted "three score years and ten," reaching the age of more than eighty-two years. From his birthplace he enlisted with the 39th Wisconsin Infantry at the age of fourteen years. Two months after his enlistment he found himself on picket duty with the army holding territory with Gen. Sherman on the way to Atlanta, and was there captured by the enemy and was confined eight months in a rebel prison. He was exchanged not long before the close of the war. As evidence of the treatment received while confined in prison it is to be noted that he lost forty pounds in weight during the eight months so confined. He was married to Miss Nettie Fen at Appleton, Wisconsin, in 1869. Rev. Knight began his work as a minister of the gospel at the age of twenty years. He came to New Plymouth in the year 1910 and served as pastor of the Congregational church until his sight was so dimmed that he could no longer read without great effort. His faithful companion died at New Plymouth in 1928. He is survived by six sons and one daughter. E. P. Knight of Payette, Idaho; Rev. C. M. Knight, Whittier, California; Rev. R. G. Knight, Nampa, Idaho; E. G. Knight, Clear Lake, S. Dak.; Judge W. W. Knight, Brookings, S. Dak.; C. R. Knight, New Plymouth, Idaho; and daughter, Mrs. J. H. Breckhalter, Clifton, Colorado, and fifty grand and great grandchildren. Funeral will be held at New Plymouth Sunday at 3 p.m. Such is the short history as we have it at this time. We attempt at this time no eulogy of the life and character of "Father Knight." His eulogy is in the innermost heart of the people with whom he lived, and loved and served. For many years to come we will be talking about and children will be hearing about "Father Knight," who used to live in New Plymouth. In later years we have loved to refer to him in the more endearing term of "Father Knight." He was, indeed, in the large sense, Father to us all. There was no service too humble for him to perform for a human in need of service. There was no service too exalted if within the possible reach of his ability. Measured in money he leaves little wealth. Measured in service to his kind he leaves wealth of kindly deeds and ministrations that millions could not buy. He was rich in the things of the spirit that live and endure. He was a manly man. He lived above petty bickerings and squabbles; he lived, he thought of his calling as something far above and beyond fine spun theological theories. "Unskillful he to fawn, or seek forpower, By doctrine fashn'd to the varying hour." "Father Knight" will be sorely missed. "As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form, Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm. Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread. Eternal sunshine settles on its head." His life was a benediction to all who knew him.

Payette Independent (Thursday, April 07, 1932) Civil War Veteran Passes Suddenly At New Plymouth NEW PLYMOUTH - Rev. H. F. Knight, Civil War Veteran, passed away suddenly Wednesday morning about 8:30 o'clock. Rev. Knight had been in quite good health and was out early Wednesday morning, making a trip to town and back. He was picking up sticks on the lawn when he suddenly dropped to the ground. Death was almost immediate. Rev. Knight was one of the most interesting men in Idaho. Born in 1850, March 19 in Gibbsville, Wis., he was the eighth child in a family of twelve. Henry Knight and three of his brothers enlisted in the Civil War. Mr. Knight was only fourteen when he enlisted in a company of the 39th Wisconsin infantry. He enlisted in May and while on picket duty August 21, was taken prisoner and sent to Castle Morgan prison near Memphis, Tenn. Here he suffered untold hardships for eight months. He was discharged from the army, May 9, 1865. Following his schooling, Mr. Knight went into the woods of northern Wisconsin where he taught and preached. Later he preached in S. Dakota and Colorado, coming to Idaho for his health in 1911. He was called to the pastorate of the Congregational church in New Plymouth in July of that year, serving for six months until his eye sight failed. Since this time, Rev. Knight has remained an active part of the community. No gathering seemed complete without him. He was a member of the G.A.R., being sent as state delegate to the National convention in 1928 and 1931 and had planned to attend again this summer. Mrs. Knight passed away 4 years ago in January. He is survived by 7 children; Bruce of Payette, Rev. C. M. of Whittier Calif., Elmer of Clear Lake South Dakota; Rev. Lloyd of New Plymouth, Mrs. Joy Burckhalte of Clifton Colorado, Judge Wiley of Brooking South Dakota and Clare of New Plymouth. Thirty-two grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

DEATH: State of Idaho Death Index B.Y.U Special Collections & Family History http://abish.byui.edu/specialCollections/famhist/Death/detailForm.cfm?recordID=219133 ID: 84987 Name of Deceased: KNIGHT, HENRY F Year: 1932 Certificate Number: 078452 County of Death: Payette City: NEW PLYMOUTH Date of Death: 04/06/1932 Date of Birth: 03/19/1850