James Wesley McKnight (abt. 1840 - 1912)

Born about 31 Dec 1840 in Ireland [uncertain]

Descendants

Died 14 Apr 1912 at about age 71 in Isabella, Michigan, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: David McKnight [send private message]

Biography

On June 28, 1892, Dr. Hugh W. Graham was united in marriage to Catherine McKnight, who was born in Isabella County, this state, June 22, 1872, daughter of James and Mary (Swindlehurst) McKnight. The former, a native of Ireland, was about three years old when his parents came across and settled in Canada, where he grew to manhood, married and lived until about 1872, when he moved with his family to Michigan and settled on a farm in Isabella county, where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in March, 1913, he then being seventy-two years of age; his widow is still living in Isabella county. James McKnight and wife were the parents of eight children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being, Ada, who married Calvin Cameron; Wesley, Catherine, William, George and Minnie, the latter of whom married Wayne Arnold. To Doctor and Mrs. Graham one child was born, a daughter, Kathleen, born on May 15, 1898. She graduated from the Mt. Morris high school and from the high school at Flint and is now bookkeeper in the office at her father's elevator, for the advantage of the business experience thus to be gained and expects to continue her education.

<<History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries, and Institutions, By Edwin Orin Wood · 1916>>

<<Page 5, Isabella County Enterprise 24 March 1880>> From Calkinsville. Ed. Enterprise. —As 1 see no news from Calkinsville in your valuable paper I thought I would say a few words, if you think proper to print. Calkinsville is alive yet. ’ Business is brisk. Mr. Bogan and Mr. Calkins has a good run of trade, and we have one of the best blacksmiths that can be produced Mr. McNeill. They are also building a hall that will be ready for use in two or three weeks, where We intend to hold our religious services. At present our services are held at the McKnight school house by the Rev. Mr. McCampbell, of Mt. Pleasant, every two weeks. Two weeks ago, Mrs. Dingman gave a social for the benefit of the same. Notwithstanding the roads were almost im-passible. With rain and mud there gathered, a nice little party, and the products of that evening amounted to $3.50. One couple deserves to be especially mentioned, who walked two miles and paid their 50 cents, and it was so dark and muddy that they could scarcely see where to step. Also, the people of this vicinity gathered at the residence of Mrs. McKnight Friday evening, March 19th, and expressed their good will for the benefit of the Rev. Mr. Campbell by “shelling out” $13 in cash; how is that for a social? But we intend to heat it when we can. Please tell our friends of Mt. Pleasant to come to our next and see how we do to catch the dimes. Mrs. McKnight auctioneered one cake which ran up to $5.60. I tell you it was a nice cake. Mr. James McKnight is preparing to build a frame barn. Wm. Swindlehurst is about to build a nice house. Thomas Swindlehurst has just finished his cozy little house. It speaks well for single men to be building. It looks as if they intended to go to house-keeping.

Birth

Death

Residence

Residence:

Date: 1910

Place: ISABELLA TWP, Isabella, Michigan^[1]

Residence:

Date: 1900

Place: Isabella, Isabella, Michigan^[2]

Residence:

Date: 1920

Place: Isabella, Isabella, Michigan^[3]

Event

Note

Note: #H27

Marriage

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S14693
2. ↑ Source: #S14691
3. ↑ Source: #S14694

https://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/james-wesley-mcknight-24-1ltx7q

• Source: S14687 Title: 1880 United States Federal Census Repository: #R5 NOTESource Medium: Ancestry.com CONT
• Repository: R5 Name: www.ancestry.com Address: E-Mail Address: Phone Number:
• Source: S14691 Title: 1900 United States Federal Census Repository: #R5 NOTESource Medium: Ancestry.com CONT
• Source: S14693 Title: 1910 United States Federal Census Repository: #R5 NOTESource Medium: Ancestry.com CONT
• Source: S14694 Title: 1920 United States Federal Census Repository: #R5 NOTESource Medium: Ancestry.com CONT
• Source: S14873 Title: Beadle-McKnight2.GED NOTESource Medium: Other CONT

Notes

Note H27[Beadle-McKnight2.GED]

Mr. James McKnight of Rosebush died at his home Sunday at the age of 71 years. Mr. McKnight has been ailing for some time but case had not been considered serious until a few hours before his death. He had only been confined to his bed since Thursday. It is generally believed that the end was hastened by the death of his son, William, who died two weeks ago, after falling on a disc harrow at Smither's agricultural store. The deceased was a man of highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon, two weeks to the day after his son was buried.

Obituary

(uncertain if same James McKnight of this profile)

The service record for Pvt JAMES McKNIGHT contains these documents and notations:

Co B, 24th Reg't, Michigan Infantry

1) Enlistment papers

2) Company Muster-in Roll, Aug 13, 1862

3) Company Muster Roll Aug 13-Oct 31, 1862: Present

4) Company Muster Roll Nov-Dec 1862: Present

5) Company Muster Roll Jan-Feb 1863: Remarks "Deserted Jan

20/63 while on march from Belle Plain Va to Banks Ford - above Fredricksburg.

6) List of Deserters from list forwarded to Provost Marshal General dated Mar 23, 1863: "Deserted Jany 20, 1863" Remarks: "+ name cancelled by line"

7) Company Muster-Out Roll, Detroit, Mich, June 30, 1865: Remarks: "Deserted Jan 20, 1863"

8) Memorandum from Prisoner of War Records: "Paroled at Warrenton, Va, Jany 25, 1863" Information Obtained from: Mis Roll-Vo. 377, Page Encl 114 63

AND "Reported at Detroit Bks Feb 12/63" Information Obtained from Mis Roll Vol 80, encl 2.

James McKnight

Canadian-born James McKnight was working in Wyandotte as Chainmaker in the summer of 1862. He enlisted in Company B on August 11, 1862 at Detroit. James was mustered into service on August 13, 1862. He was 19 years old.

Not too much is know about James' service. He is listed as having deserted at Belle Plain January 20, 1863. This date is very significant, however

In the wake of the Fredericksburg debacle in December 1862, General Ambrose Burnside decided to attack the Confederates again in Mid January, 1863. The campaign commenced on January 20, 1863. The weather refused to cooperate, however. Although the preceding weeks had been dry, No sooner had the march commenced than it began to rain. The rain was heavy and constant, and all of the roads became morasses that effectively halted the campaign. Thoroughly wet, cold and disheartened, the Army of the Potomac Returned to Belle Plain and took up winter quarters. Burnside's January offensive quickly became known as the "Mud March". As might be expected morale was at an ebb. Many soldiers simply decided to go home.

During the Mud March week, twenty-five members of the Twenty-Fourth were reported "missing" and the utmost vigilance was ordered in every regiment. Camp guards were established, and roll calls were ordered three times per day. On January 31, a detail of fifty men under Lieutenant Colonel Flanigan went in search of "skedaddlers," and three days later, after a circuit of fifty miles, returned with ten who were apprehended at Port Tobacco on the Potomac, and several citizens who had aided in their escape. On February 1, several who had "straggled" were publicly reprimanded on dress parade, and thus this evasion of duty was promptly squelched. (Curtis, p. 113)

Apparently James McKnight avoided the patrols and made his way back to Michigan

Burial: Woodland Cemetery Rosebush Isabella County Michigan, USA

Created by: Curtiss48858 Record added: Oct 27, 2012 Find A Grave Memorial# 99693775