268                    HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

followed. He has excellent powers of concentration and application and
as an orator stands high, especially in the discussion of legal matters
before the courts, where his comprehensive knowledge of the law is mani-
fest and his application of legal principles demonstrates the wide range
of his professional acquirements. He has for almost a half century been
connected with the most important criminal cases that have appeared in
the courts of his district and has won many notable forensic victories.
    On the 13th of May, 1862, Mr. Knight was married to Miss Lucia
E. Hussey, who was born at Carlisle, Sullivan county, Indiana, April 8,
1843, and was a daughter of Edward S. and Eliza Hussey. Her father
was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and removing westward at an early
day cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Sullivan county, Indiana.
For a number of years he was proprietor of the National Hotel in Terre
Haute and in 1856 came to Brazil, being prominent in its business life
and public interests for a long period. For twelve or fourteen years he
served as postmaster of the city and gave a businesslike administration
in the discharge of the duties of the office. He was a member of Brazil
Lodge, No. 264, A. F. and A. M.; Brazil Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M.; and
Brazil Lodge, No. 30, K. P. His political allegiance was given to the
Republican party and he served as justice of the peace, rendering decisions
which were strictly fair and impartial. His family numbered seven chil-
dren, of whom three are now living: Edward H., a resident of Wiscon-
sin; Joseph L., who makes his home in California; and John B., also a
resident of that state.
    Unto Mr. and Mrs. Knight were born five children: Grace, the wife
of Wilber E. Houpe; Austin W., a practicing attorney of Brazil; Helen,
the wife of Dr. David L. Kahn, now living in Indianapolis, Indiana;
Lucia, the wife of George G. Kerfoot, a resident of Brazil; and Edward
H., an attorney of Indianapolis, Indiana. The wife and mother died
December 21, 1892, and her demise was the occasion of deep and wide-
spread regret, for her many good qualities of heart and mind had gained
her the esteem and friendship of those with whom she had been brought
in contact.
    Mr. Knight has always given his political allegiance to the Democracy
and is a stalwart supporter of the party, but the honors and emoluments
of office have had no attraction for him, as be has always preferred to
concentrate his time and energies upon his professional duties. He pos-
sesses strong oratorical powers, which, clothing sound logic of truth, car-
ries conviction to the minds of judge and jury. He has always main-
tained a high standard of professional ethics and has depended for his
success upon thorough and exhaustive preparation and a careful presenta-
tion of his cause.

    FREDERICK C. WITT, well known in business circles of Brazil as pro-
prietor of a merchant tailoring establishment and one who is well known
in Clay county as a leader in local Democratic circles, was born in Stral-
sund, Germany, on the 6th of September, 1859, his parents being John
and Christina Elizabeth (Prenick) Witt. His paternal grandfather, John
F. Witt, was born at Triebsees-Kries, Grimmen Regierungs, Bezirk, Stral-
sund, Germany, and was a carpenter by trade. He married Dorothea
Luders and among their children was John Witt, who was born at Trieb-
sees on the 22d of March, 1821. He, too, learned and followed the car-
penter’s trade and be served in the German army as a recruiting officer.