Person:Lucas Knight (8)

BIOGRAPHY: Exerpts from.. Brief Story of Mayfield, Paradise Twp Grand Traverse County, Michigan This brief history was put together by the members and friends of "The Mayfield Chapter" 1951. Partial extraction from a copy of this booklet from "The Pioneer & Historical Society" of Traverse City, Michigan

The first store with a post office included was built by Charles Denniston. In 1866, George Neal and Lucas Knight from Sheboygan Falls* to make their claim on timberland. Being Millwrights they constructed a dam across Mayfield Creek. They also, built the first sawmill that was run by water power. Lorraine K. Gibbs, cousin of Lucas Knight was behind this venture with them. Gibbs followed about two years later, bringing his own family, and his four brothers, James, Arch, Frank, and Bird into the new community.

The water power was used for a grist mill, with Lucas Knight as miller. A larger sawmill was built along with two shingle mills. One shingle mill located on the south end of the settlement was owned and operated by Crandall (Dan) & McKeage. Jim Crandall, was to, later run this mill. J.L. Gibbs moved his shingle mill and rebuilt it below the dam. This mill later burned and was also rebuilt.

A notary public, Mr. J.L. Gibbs, drafted the articles of incorporation to safeguard the purpose of the church and obtained signatures from the following: M.W. Jackson, L.W. Knight, George Koch, L.K. Gibbs, Benjamin Koch, Dan E. Crandall, Alonzona Boman, Ellen Kelly, and Addie Gibbs. The first board of trustees were; Michael Jackson, Lucas Knight, Addie Gibbs, Marietta Barnum and Janie Halladay. The name of the organization was to be the MayField Sunday School Association.

CENSUS: 1850 United States Federal Census Name: Lucus Knight Age: 3 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1847 Birth Place: Wisconsin Gender: Male Home in 1850 (City,County,State): Wilson and Holland, Sheboygan, Wisconsin Household Members: Name Age (Henry Fiske) Knight 0 Allen W Knight 29 Almond R Knight 5 Cynthia A Knight 7 Elizabeth Knight 30 Elizabeth Knight 3 Lucus Knight 3 Luens Knight 3 Maria G Knight 2 Amalia Rhadermaker 25 Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: Wilson and Holland, Sheboygan, Wisconsin; Roll: M432_1006; Page: 85; Image: 165.

1860 United States Federal Census Name: Lucas W Knight Age in 1860: 13 Birth Year: abt 1847 Birthplace: Wisconsin Home in 1860: Lima, Sheboygan, Wisconsin Gender: Male Post Office: Gibbsville Household Members: Name Age Elizabeth Knight 39 Cyntha b Knight 16 Almon R Knight 14 Lucas W Knight 13 Lucius A Knight 13 Elizabeth A Knight 13 Maria G Knight 11 Henry F Knight 10 Cyrus B Knight 8 Emma L Knight 6 Almoran p Knight 1 Henry Procter 39 Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Lima, Sheboygan, Wisconsin; Roll: M653_1432; Page: 469; Image: 470.

1870 United States Federal Census Name: Lucas Knight Estimated Birth Year: abt 1846 Age in 1870: 24 Birthplace: Wisconsin Home in 1870: Paradise, Grand Traverse, Michigan Race: White Gender: Male Post Office: Mayfield Lumber Manufacturer Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Paradise, Grand Traverse, Michigan; Roll: M593_672; Page: 437; Image: 54.

1880 United States Federal Census Name: Lucas W. Knight Home in 1880: Paradise, Grand Traverse, Michigan Age: 33 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1847 Birthplace: Wisconsin Relation to Head of Household: Self (Head) Spouse's Name: Fannie Father's birthplace: Rhode Island Mother's birthplace: Rhode Island Neighbors: View others on page Occupation: Farmer Marital Status: Married Race: White Gender: Male Household Members: Name Age Lucas W. Knight 33 Fannie Knight 37 Edward Thompson 20 Clarrence Thompson 18 Carrie Knight 10 Jane Hart 27 Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Paradise, Grand Traverse, Michigan; Roll: T9_578; Family History Film: 1254578; Page: 505.4000; Enumeration District: 86; Image: 0781.