... John L. Knox, eldest son of Dr. Absalom Knox, was born April 32 [?], 1834, in Gibson county, Tenn. When an infant he was carried in his mother's arms to see his great-grandfather, Joseph Knox. In his fifteenth year he went with his parents to Panola county. Miss. In the Confederate Veteran, June, 1897, we find the following regarding his service in the army:
"John L. Knox enlisted in the Panola Guards in March, 1861, At the close of a year the time of his enlistment, he was discharged. He helped to organize Yates Battery, and was chosen first lieutenant. He did hard service with the battery, but resigned at Yicksburg in 1863. Joining W. G. Middleton, who became captain of a cavalry company, he was given the same second position he had in the battery. The company became a part of the Eighteenth Mississippi Cavalry, under Forrest. Middleton was killed July 15, 1864, and Lieutenant Knox succeeded him. He was paroled at Ganesville, Ala., May, 1865, having served four years and two months in actual service. He was never wounded, never a prisoner, never missed a roll call without a lawful reason, nor a battle in which his company was engaged."
Mr. Knox seemed very much interested in the history and genealogy of the Knox family. His name will be found among those who have assisted in this work ; also in the list of those who have taken copies of the Knox Tree. In a letter to the writer, dated March, 1898, he says, "I am the oldest living representative of my grandfather's descendants, and was personally acquainted with all of his children, and nearly all of his grandchildren, and will risk the suspicion of appearing egotistical by saying that I do not believe that the grand Tree that you have built will suffer by engrafting upon it the few additional limbs that we have sent in. As far as my knowledge and information extend the Knox family have been conspicuous for their honesty and integrity. I have been a Knox myself for nearly sixty-four years, and have never known one of the name to prove recreant to his trust. I have known nearly every one on my grandfather's limb, and in that long line not a single drunkard appears, and I never heard or knew of an oath being sworn by one of the name. All the Knoxes I have known are disposed to look on the bright side of things, and to see a rainbow in every storm."
Mr. J. L. Knox represented his county in the Legislature in 1898. He was married twice ;
first wife Sophoria Moore ;
second, Mathella Bergland.
He lived in Batesville, Miss; died there in December, 1899. ...
