Person:Maria Drake (3)

BIOGRAPHY: Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934 October 27, 2005 10:47 AM

Name: Cyreneus B. Knight State Filed: Michigan Widow: Marie M. Knight

Source Information: National Archives and Records Administration. Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934. [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000. Data indexed and imaged from National Archives and Records Administration. General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934. T288, 544 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.

Jacob and Margarette (Brown) Miller And Their Descendants Who Came to Michigan Compiled by Wilma Miller 1972 - Page 19 Maria M. Knight Maria M. Knight was born in Newfane, New York, Dec. 17, 1829 and passed from this life Oct. 22, 1909, aged 79 years, 10 months, and 5 days. In the Fall of 1837 she came, with her parents, Jeremiah and Sally (Miller) Drake to Michigan, settling on a farm in Leroy township. At this time the county was a wilderness and the roads were mere trails and paths. She was second of a family of nine children; eight girls and one boy.

Her education was received at the little log schoolhouse which the pioneers soon erected and so well did she improve her opportunities that she became a teacher and for several years followed that vocation.

November 26, 1851 she was united in marriage to Cyrenius B. Knight and they began life together on a farm in Newton township. Two children were born to this union, Everett B., who lived but three years, and Eva M. who also died in infancy.

In 1874 they gave up farming and moved to Marshall; a little over a year later they bought a home in Union City where they permanently resided. A few years later Mr. Knight, on account of failing health, spent a summer in North Dakota; receiving so much benefit he took up a homestead in Valley City and for 12 years the family spent their summers on the homestead, returning to the Union City home for the winters.

Early in their married life this couple was converted and became members of the Protestant Methodist church in Abscota. After moving to Union City they united with the Congregational church, of which they were helpful and efficient members, their home being the scene of many a church gathering, the hospitality made these occasions successful.

In 1900, Mrs. Knight being in poor health, a trip to California was planned for her benefit, but a few days after reaching Los Angeles the husband was taken seriously ill with pneumonia and passed away December 26.

After staying a year in the Union City home she sold and in 1903 purchased the home in Athens that she might be near her sister. Sunday morning, Oct. 17, 1909 she was stricken with a fatal illness and after 5 days of suffering was called up higher.

She was a faithful member of the Naomi Chapter of the O.E.S., the W.R.C., and W.C.T.U. and by these societies will be greatly missed.

Mrs. Knight leaves two sisters, Mrs. O. Kellogg and Mrs. Chas. Foster, two nieces and three nephews who have the loving sympathy of all in their sorrow.