William Robertson McKnight ^{1 2}

  General Notes:

WILLIAM R. MCNIGHT A prominent citizen and native of Franklin Township, was born May 19, 1827, being the youngest in a family of four children born to John and Elizabeth (Robertson) McKnight, who were natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively, and of Irish and Scotch descent. The former was born May 8, 1789, and died August 12, 1866. In the year 1809 he, in company with his parents, came to this State and county and settled on the farm adjoining their present residence. Our immediate subject has always lived on the old homestead. He received a common school education such as the facilities of his day afforded. August 15, 1862, Mr. McKnight realized the necessity of the preservation of our Union and enlisted as a volunteer private in Company F, Sixty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, where he served until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged at Indianapolis June 15, 1865. He took part in the Atlanta campaign and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. The father of our subject was a soldier in the war of 1812. His occupation has always been farming and he has been quite successful in that pursuit. He now owns 245 acres of well improved land. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity. In politics he is a stanch Republican and he takes a good live interest in the political affairs of the community in which he lives, and has served as Township Assessor one term. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather are all buried on the adjoining farm.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago

Data Entry by Diana Flynn


From Find A Grave and Jerry Morris Mounts:

William Robertson McKnight was the son of John McKnight and Elizabeth Robertson. He was never married. He was in the Civil War, Company F, 66th Regiment, Indiana Volunteers. Known as Bald Billy.

  Noted events in his life were:

• United States Census: Resided, 1850, Franklin, Washington County, Indiana, USA.