THOMAS KNIGHT was born in Cornwall county, near Land's End, England, August 14, 1836. His father, Thomas Knight, was also born in Cornwall, of Cornish parents, and followed the trade of cooper until he came to this country in 1846. He first settled in Meredosia and then came into Cass county, where the family has since made their home. The father had brought a little money with him and was able to buy forty acres of land. He became a farmer, which business was entirely new to him. He was very industrious and had good judgment and all the family became well off. The father died there, after having increased his property to 264 acres. His wife survived him some years, and died when past four-score years. She was remarkable for being a very beautiful old lady and a very consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Knight is one of a family of six, of which all are still living. He is one of the wealthy and influential men of Beardstown, and is now living at the corner of Eleventh and Washington streets, where he recently purchased a fine home, and has lived here ever since he retired from active life on his farm. He has been a successful farmer and stock-raiser in Hickory precinct. He was a progressive farmer and kept up with the times. His possessions amount to 520 acres, most of it under the plow and supplied with the finest improvements. As he was only ten years of age when he reached Cass County, he is one of the oldest settlers of the county.

Mr. Knight was married in Beardstown, to Emma Dunn of Cornwall, England, where she was reared. She came to Illinois with her brothers when yet a young girl and settled in Cass county, where she and her brother John still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Knight have six children. Robert, who married Delia Thiveaght, daughter of a farmer of Monroe, Illinois; Minnie married Fayette Post, a railroad conductor on the Ohio & Mississippi, living in Beardstown; Myrtle married L. W. Berry, train dispatcher on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad; Albert and Eddie are at home, as is also the youngest, Clarence Lloyd. Mrs. Knight and some of the children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Knight, since he became of age, has become a Democrat, and his party elected him to the office of County Commissioner. He is a strong local worker for his party.