HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY                      267

ship trustee from 1889 until 1894, and is now a member of the Board of
County Commissioners, a position to which be was elected in 1906.

    GEORGE A. KNIGHT.—In no profession does success depend more
largely upon individual merit than in the law and the attainment of
prominence at the bar therefore is an indication of ability, strong men-
tality, keen analytical force and a comprehensive knowledge of the prin-
ciples of jurisprudence. Possessing all the requisites of an able lawyer,
George A. Knight has made steady progress in the profession which
stands as the conservator of the rights, liberties and privileges of the indi-
vidual and of the city at large and has gained much more than local repu-
tation as a criminal lawyer.
    A native of Ohio, Mr. Knight was born in Mount Sterling, Muskin-
gum county, May 7, 1840, his parents being Dr. Austin W. and Achsah
(Crosdale) Knight. The father, who was born in Bucks county, Penn-
sylvania, September 5, 1807, and spent his last days in Brazil, Indiana,
where he passed away December 21, 1877, at the age of seventy years,
was a member of the first graduating class of the old Jefferson Medical
College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and after having thus made thor-
ough preparation for the profession, he engaged in the practice of medi-
cine and surgery in Bucks county, Pennsylvania for three or four years,
subsequent to which time he removed to Muskingum county, Ohio, in
1833. For twenty years he resided there, after which be came to Indiana,
establishing his home in Clay county. He laid out the town of Knights-
ville and was identified with the early development and substantial prog-
ress of this locality. He continued in the village which be founded until
1857, when be removed to Brazil, Where his remaining days were passed,
while in his profession be received that recognition which is always ac-
carded to merit and skill. During the period of the Mexican war be was
appointed by the governor of Ohio as a sergeant in the American army.
He belonged to Brazil Lodge, No. 264, A. F. & A. M. and at his death
was laid to rest with Masonic honors. He was also a member of the oldest
Odd Fellows lodge in Philadelphia and he gave his political allegiance
to the Democracy. He held to high ideals in his profession, in citizenship
and in his social relations, and all who knew him respected him. His
wife, who was born October 10, 1803, passed away May 27, 1887. In
their family were five children, of whom three are now living: Elizabeth,
the wife of William H. Winegardner; George A.; and Charles H.
    George A. Knight pursued a public school education in Ohio and
Indiana and took up the study of law in the office and under the direction
of the firm of Follett & Follett, attorneys of Ohio. He also read to some
extent in the office of James M. Hanna of Sullivan county and success-
fully passing the required examination was admitted to the bar in 1861.
He is today the oldest practitioner in Brazil circuit, having for forty-
seven years been a well known representative of the legal fraternity here.
He was admitted to practice in the supreme court of Indiana in 1871 and
to the United States circuit court in 1881, while in 1891 be was admitted
to practice in the United States circuit court of appeals, and. in 1895 to
the supreme court of the United States at Washington, D. C. H has
always been remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and provi-
dent care with which he prepares his cases and his practice has long been
extensive and of an important character. He has won for himself very
favorable criticism for the careful and systematic methods which he has