Mary M. Knight facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Miranda Knight
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| Born |
Mary Miranda Dunbar
September 2, 1854 Ingham County, Michigan, US
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| Died | February 2, 1940 (aged 85) Seattle, Washington, US
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| Burial place | Shelton Memorial Park (Masonic division) |
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| Years active | 1870–1921 |
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| Known for | pioneer educator of Washington state, served as the Mason County Superintendent of Schools for 18 years improving the educational system in western part of the county. |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Spouse(s) | Marcus F. Knight (married 1876–1921) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Cyrus Dunbar (brother) |
Mary Miranda Knight (born Dunbar; September 2, 1854 – February 2, 1940) was a very important teacher in Washington state. She spent her whole life teaching. She worked in three different states: Michigan, Dakota, and Washington.
Mary Knight lived most of her life in Shelton, Washington. By 1900, she was a well-known teacher. She was chosen to be the Mason County Superintendent of Schools. She held this job for eighteen years. During this time, she brought five small school districts together. This created one big district, giving students more chances to learn. This new district was later named after her: the Mary M. Knight School District No. 311. She also helped teachers communicate better. People praised her for being organized and dedicated. Today, the Mary M. Knight High School in Matlock is named in her honor.
Mary Knight also inspired her own daughters, Jessie A. Knight and Gyneth Knight. Both of them became teachers too. After she retired, Mary Knight took care of some old items from Washington state history. These items belonged to the family of George Pickett, a famous general.
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Mary Knight's Early Life and Family
Mary Knight was born on September 2, 1854, in Ingham County, Michigan. Her family came to America from Scotland. They settled in southern Michigan.
Mary's parents were Charles S. and Orphia S. Dunbar. They had seven children. Her parents moved several times. First, they went to Dakota, then to Washington state in 1883. They were among the first settlers there. Five of their children, including Mary, later followed them to Washington. Her brother, Cyrus Dunbar, became a well-known druggist in Shelton.
From a young age, Mary knew she wanted to be a teacher. She spent her high school years in Eaton Rapids, Michigan learning the skills she needed.
Mary Knight's Career in Education
Starting as a Teacher
Mary Knight began teaching when she was just sixteen years old. She taught in three different states. She started as a student teacher in Michigan. She worked there for several terms. Later, she joined her family in Dakota. She taught in the schools of Huron for several years.
Teaching in Washington State
After a short time back in Michigan, Mary Knight moved to Washington state. She settled in Shelton in 1890. She became a very early educator in the city. She left Shelton for five years to teach in Whatcom (now Bellingham). But she later returned to Shelton.
Mary Knight became very respected as a teacher. In 1900, she was chosen to run for Mason County Superintendent of Schools. She won the election as part of the Democratic Party.
Mary Knight served as the County Superintendent of Schools for eighteen years. During her time, she combined five small school districts. These were in western Mason County. This change was finished in 1924. It gave students more learning chances than the five separate schools had. The new district was later named the Mary M. Knight School District No. 311.
One of Mary Knight's jobs was to help teachers communicate better. In 1909, she worked with the Thurston County Superintendent. They held a meeting for teachers in Olympia. More than 100 teachers attended this important meeting.
People called Mary Knight "a pioneer Mason County educator." Her experience was seen as "exceptional." She was known as "an excellent official." During a county inspection in 1910, she was called a "capable and efficient" expert. They noted that she kept her records "perfectly."
Retirement and Special Honors
Mary Knight retired from teaching in 1921. In her later years, she cared for several historic items. These items belonged to the family of George Pickett, a Major General from the Confederate States Army. These historical pieces were shown in the Harry Hartman Gallery.
The Mary M. Knight High School in Matlock was named to honor her.
Mary Knight's Personal Life
Mary Dunbar married Marcus F. Knight on June 29, 1876. He was her schoolmate and also a teacher. Marcus worked in many states. He was a principal in Shelton city schools for two years. He also served as the Mason County treasurer. Mary and Marcus lived in a family home in Shelton, Washington.
The Knights had two daughters, Jessie and Gyneth. Both daughters followed their parents and became teachers. Jessie Knight later became the postmaster in Shelton for twenty years. Different American presidents appointed her to this job. Gyneth joined the Red Cross. She went to Siberia during World War I. Later, she lived in Shanghai, China.
Mary Knight's Passing
Mary Knight passed away on February 2, 1940, in Seattle. She had been ill for a long time.
Her funeral was held at the Masonic Temple. It was organized by the Order of Eastern Star and the Philanthropic Educational Organization. Many people attended, including students from the Mary M. Knight High School.
Mary Knight was buried next to her husband. He had passed away in 1921. They are buried in the Masonic section of the Shelton Memorial Park.
