John H. Knight (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John H. Knight
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 1st Mayor of Ashland, Wisconsin | |
| In office April 1887 – January 1889 |
|
| Preceded by | Position Established |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Henry Knight
February 3, 1836 Kent County, Delaware |
| Died | August 22, 1903 (aged 67) Watertown, Wisconsin |
| Cause of death | Cancer |
| Resting place | Forest Hill Cemetery Madison, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
|
| Children |
|
| Parents |
|
| Alma mater | Albany Law School |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States ArmyUnion Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1870 |
| Rank |  Lt. Colonel |
| Unit |
|
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
John Henry Knight (born February 3, 1836 – died August 22, 1903) was an important American figure. He was a brave soldier, a smart lawyer, and a leader in politics. During the American Civil War, he served as an officer in the Union Army. After the war, he became the very first Mayor of Ashland, Wisconsin. He also helped build up that area a lot.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Henry Knight was born on February 3, 1836, in Kent County, Delaware. He went to Albany Law School to study law. He graduated in 1859 and became a lawyer in 1860. He started working at a law firm in Dover, Delaware. However, his law career was put on hold when the American Civil War began.
Military Service in the Civil War
When the war started, John Knight was one of the first young men to join up. President Abraham Lincoln asked for volunteers, and Knight quickly organized a group of soldiers. This group became part of the 1st Delaware Infantry Regiment.
First Battles and Injuries
Knight's regiment was sent to guard Baltimore. But he was part of a smaller group that joined the federal forces at the First Battle of Bull Run. After his first three months of service, he was made a captain. President Lincoln himself appointed him as an assistant adjutant general.
In 1862, he became a captain in the regular army and joined the 18th U.S. Infantry Regiment. This regiment was part of the Army of the Cumberland. They marched through Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky. They fought in the Battle of Perryville. During these marches, Captain Knight likely got sick with Typhoid fever. Even so, he kept leading his soldiers at Perryville.
During the battle, he was hurt by an explosion. This injury made it hard for him to walk for three months, and he never fully recovered. He took a short break to get married to his first wife, Susan Clark, in Wilmington, Delaware. He returned to duty in March 1863. He worked to find new volunteers for the army in Louisville.
Key Battles and New Assignments
After the Union Army lost the Battle of Chickamauga, Knight rejoined his regiment in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Union forces were surrounded there. After weeks of little food, more Union soldiers arrived. Three divisions, led by Joseph Hooker, opened a supply line.
The 18th U.S. Regiment supported Hooker at the Battle of Lookout Mountain. The day after the Battle of Missionary Ridge, Knight was sent to Detroit. He was ordered to help with military duties there. He was also made a Colonel of the 1st Delaware Cavalry by the Governor, but he could not take on this role.
Post-War Service
Knight arrived in Detroit in January 1864. He was in charge of finding new recruits and reorganizing Michigan's veteran regiments. He stayed in Detroit until February 1867. Then, he was sent with his regiment to Wyoming and Utah Territory. Their job was to protect the workers building the railroad.
In 1869, President Ulysses S. Grant asked him to become an Indian agent for the Lake Superior Chippewa in northern Wisconsin. This was his last military-related job.
Life in Wisconsin
John Knight arrived in Bayfield, Wisconsin, on June 30, 1869. He lived in this area for the rest of his life. After about a year as an Indian agent, he left the military. He went back to being a lawyer.
In 1871, he became the register of land in Bayfield, staying in that job until 1879. He bought and sold land and did well until a financial crisis in 1873. Around this time, he reconnected with William Freeman Vilas, a friend from law school. They started investing in timber land in northern Wisconsin together.
Developing Ashland
In 1878, Knight became interested in growing industries in nearby Ashland, Wisconsin. He moved there in 1880. He started the Superior Lumber Company, which became one of the biggest lumber businesses in northern Wisconsin. This company was very important for Ashland's growth.
Knight invested in many other companies in Ashland. He was the vice president of the Ashland National Bank. He also invested in the First National Bank, the Ashland Brownstone Company, and the Street Railway Company. He also worked as a lawyer for the Wisconsin Central Railroad.
When Ashland became an official city in 1887, Colonel Knight was elected its first Mayor. He was re-elected for 1888 but resigned after seven months of his second term. In 1890, he built the Knight Block in Ashland. This building was considered one of the best in northern Wisconsin at the time. It had offices, stores, and the Hotel Knight.
Political Career
John Knight was a member of the Democratic Party. He was an important leader in the state party. He was the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin for four years. He also attended the Democratic National Conventions in 1888 and 1892. These are big meetings where the party chooses its candidate for president.
In 1890, he almost became the Democratic candidate for Governor of Wisconsin, losing by just one vote. In 1893, he was a strong candidate for United States Senate. At that time, senators were chosen by the state legislature, not by popular vote. However, he lost to John L. Mitchell.
Family Life
John Knight was married twice. His first wife was Susan James Clark. They married on January 19, 1863, while he was on leave during the Civil War. They had one daughter together. Susan died on June 29, 1867.
On June 2, 1873, he married Ella Clark, who was his first wife's sister. They had five more children together. His daughter Mary later married Joseph E. Davies, who became an important United States Ambassador.
John Knight passed away from cancer on August 22, 1903. He died at his daughter's home in Watertown, Wisconsin. He is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison, Wisconsin.
