Robert Martin McKnight

M, #614, b. 25 July 1844, d. 1 May 1937
Father*William R McKnight1 b. 19 Jan 1807, d. 6 Apr 1875
Mother*Jane A Garriott b. 16 Sep 1811, d. 29 Aug 1892
ChartsPedigree - Peggy Lou Hubbard
ReferencePeggy's 1G Grf
Birth*25 July 1844 Robert Martin McKnight was born on 25 July 1844 at Salem, Washington Co., Indiana; per obit & bio.1 
Military*18 August 1862 He was in the military on 18 August 1862 Service: Private, 16th Regiment, Company B, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, residence, Washington Co., mustered in 18 Aug, 1862, appointed Corporal, mustered out 30 Jun, 1865. More detail in bio. 
MovedTo*1866 He was moved to Lincoln, Union Co., Iowa, in 1866.1 
Marriage*17 November 1869 He married Rachel May Dillow, daughter of Frederick Dillow and Jane Baxter, on 17 November 1869 at Afton, Union Co., Iowa; Have "certificate of marriage" that shows they were married by H.B. McBride, Minister of Gospel. 
Census1870*1870 Robert Martin McKnight appeared on the 1870 census as the head of household, sht 7 pg 134 #52-53, Lincoln, Union Co., Iowa McKnight, Robt 26 b.IN farmer $350-$200, married previous Nov. 
Note* Http://jerry.vigo.lib.in.us/washington/html/dat106.htm (now a broken link) shows that there were two other children, but they don't show up in the 1880 census. I'm checking with source to find out what the source of these two children is.
McKnight, Ethel
Birth : 17 MAY 1873
McKnight, Huga
Birth : 18 JAN 1878. 
Census1880*1880 He appeared on the 1880 census as the head of household, Page 179b, Lincoln, Union Co., Iowa McKnight, R. M. 35 b.IN Father b.KY Mother b.IN. 
Biography*1887 He was biography has bio on pg 493 in 1887 at Union Co., Iowa.2 
Census1900*1900 He appeared on the 1900 census as the head of household, ED 139 sht 3b #58-60, Lincoln Twnshp, Union Co., Iowa McKnight, Robert age hard to read b.IN Jul 1844 farmer. 
Military9 February 1906 He was in the military on 9 February 1906 Certificate in Lieu of Lost or Destroyed Discharge Certificate
To all Whom it May Concern:
Know ye, that Robert M. McKnight, a Corporal of Company B Sixteenth Regiment of Indiana Mounted Infantry Volunteers, who was enrolled on the first day of August, one thousand eight hundred and sixty two, to server three years, was discharged from the service of the United States on the thirtieth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, by reason of muster out of Company. ( 16 Regiment, Indiana Infantry).
This Certificate is given under the provisions of the Act of congress approved July 1, 1902, "to authorize the Secretary of War to furnish certificates in lieu of lost or destroyed discharges," to honorably discharged officers or enlisted men or their widows, upon evidence that the original discharge certificate has been lost or destroyed, and upon the condition imposed by said Act that this certificate "shall not be accepted as a voucher for the payment of any claim against the United States for pay, bounty, or other allowances, or as evidence in any other case."
Given at the War Department, Washington DC this ninth day of February, one thousand nine hundred and six.
By authority of the Secretary of War:
[unreadable signature]
Military Secretary. 
Photo*25 July 1935 He was on 25 July 1935 "I am 91 years old." 
Event-Misc*25 July 1935 He was News article from unknown paper:
Robert McKnight Today begins His 92nd Year
     The receipt of gifts, telegrams, letters, telephone calls and personal congratulations today reminds Robert M McKnight of 205 N Walnut that he is celebrating the 91st anniversary of his birth.
     Although extremely active in consideration of his age, he is making no gread "fuss" about hte occasion as he spends the day quitely at his home. There was a family dinner at noon, however, and many friends have "dropped in" during the day. And, of course, there have been gift packages to open, telegrams, letters and many telephone calls.
     Born 91 years ago today in Indiana, McKnight is one of the few remaining veterans of the Civil war. His early years were spent in Indiana, from which point he enlisted for military service in the Civil War, and served three years until its close.
     Shortly after the Civil War, he came to Iowa. He retired to his home in Creston after spending the major portion of his life tilling Iowa farm lands.
     A daughter, Miss Myrta, lives with him in the home here. Still active, McKnight walks down town quite often and is regular in church attendance. on 25 July 1935 at Creston, Union Co., Iowa. 
Death*1 May 1937 He died on 1 May 1937 at age 92.3 
Obituary His obituary was at Creston, Union Co., Iowa, have obits from unknown newspapers. Info gleaned from one:
Robert Martin McKnight, son of William and Jane Garriott McKnight was born 25 Jul 1844 near Salem IN. Enlisted there 1 Aug 1862 in Co B 16th IN Volunteers Infantry. Wounded in Richmond KY. Youngest of 5 brothers who fought in the war. Prisoner of War at Tyler TX for 13 months. 1866 move to IA with parents settling in Lincoln Twnshp, Union Co. Marr 7 Nov 1869 and had 5 children, 3 now living. Moved to Creston in 1901.
     The other has a photo of him and the photo is captioned "News Advertiser Engraving" giving a clue to the name of the paper. It says he died at 8 o'clok Sunday night at his home 305 N Walnut St. The funeral was held at the Methodist Church, and the Spanish-American war veterans and American Legioun conducted a military service at the grave. 

Family

Rachel May Dillow b. Aug 1847, d. 29 Jun 1931
Marriage*17 November 1869 He married Rachel May Dillow, daughter of Frederick Dillow and Jane Baxter, on 17 November 1869 at Afton, Union Co., Iowa; Have "certificate of marriage" that shows they were married by H.B. McBride, Minister of Gospel. 
Children
Last Edited26 May 2005

Citations

  1. [S4] Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Union Counties Iowa Lewis Pub. Co., 1887 SLC 977.78 D3bi 1997, pg 493.
  2. [S4] Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Union Counties Iowa Lewis Pub. Co., 1887 SLC 977.78 D3bi 1997.
  3. [S3] Papers the family believes were written by Isadora McKnight (who is in this database), 1938, Another slip of paper with Isadora's.