Biography of Harry Avery Knight Sr, St Francis County, AR

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Submitted by: Paul V Isbell
        Date: 19 Nov 2008
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
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Since its founding seventy eight years ago in 1876, the Avery Insurance Agency,
by W. H. Avery, who sold to George P. Taylor, grandfather of Alston Taylor, who
changed the name to Taylor Insurance Agency. The firm is now composed of Harry
A. Knight Sr., Alston Graham Taylor, and B. F. King. Edgar P. Taylor joined the
firm when the elder Mr. Taylor died in 1898. At that time, a promising young
Forrest Citian, became a partner in the firm and the name was changed to Taylor-
Knight & Co. When Edgar P. Taylor passed in January 1935, they consolidated with
B. F. King and the name was changed to Taylor-Knight-King Insurance Agency.
Meanwhile, James Taylor, son of Edgar continued with the firm until his death in
Oct. 1950, when Aslton Taylor, another son of Edgar, joined the firm. Mr.
Knight, now seventy nine years old, was born in Forrest City, the son of the
late C. C. and Harriett (Avery) Knight of Forrest City. Mr. Knight married the
former Mary Merwin, daughter of T. C. and Emily (Govan) Merwin, of Forrest City
on Sep. 14, 1904, and to this union was born a son, Harry Jr., and Emily, now
Mrs. J. A. Patterson, both of Forrest City. The Knights have a grandson, Jerry
Patterson. In his early days he was very active in politics, serving as Mayor
for two terms, and as County Clerk in the unexpired term of his father-in-law,
T. C. Merwin. He was also active in Red Cross work and was Food Administrator
during World War I. He is a former President of the Rotary Club, former Master
of the Masonic Lodge, former Exalted Ruler of the Elks, and a former Council
Commander of the Woodmen of the World. He has also been a member of the original
Young Business Men's Club. He was graduated from the Forrest City High School
and the Gem City Business College in Quincy, Illinois. He is a member of the
Church of the Good Shepherd.

The Forrest City Times' Art Souvenir-1905-Page 91: On November 17, 1874, Harry
Avery Knight was born at Forrest City. He is a son of Curtis Luther and Harriet
Avery Knight. His father was one of the pioneer merchants of Forrest City,
locating here soon after the town was established. The subject of this sketch
was educated in the public schools of this place, and is also a graduate of the
Gem City Business College, of Quincy, Illinois. Returning home, he began his
business career by entering the store of his father, where he remained until
February 1896, when he went with L. Rollwage & Co., with whom he worked until
January 1, 1903, when he purchased a half interest in the firm of George P.
Taylor & Co., real estate and insurance agents, in which he is still engaged
under the firm name Taylor, Knight & Co. On September 14, 1904 he was married to
Miss Mary Merwin, a daughter of Capt. and Mrs. T. C. Merwin, of this city. They
have one child, Harry Avery born July 15, 1905.

Copyright With Permission: 1905 Art Souvenir-Forrest City Times NewspaperWeston
McCollum Lewey, Publisher-Times Herald Publishing-Forrest City, Arkansas


SOURCE:
HISTORY of ST. FRANCIS COUNTY, ARKANSAS, 1954 - Robert W. Chowning

Copyright, with Permission: Weston McCollum Lewey, Publisher
-Times Herald Publishing-Forrest City, Arkansas