D.R. Knight, Jr., Rapides Parish Louisiana
Submitted by: Suzanne Shoemaker

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Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890

     D. R. KNIGHT, JR., is a member of the general mercantile firm of W. J.
Knight & Bros., of Lecompte, and was born in the parish of Vernon, La., in
1866, in which place he remained until fifteen years of age, at which time
he removed to Texas, entering school at Burkville Blum Male and Female
College, which institution he attended three years, his time while in that
institution not being idly or uselessly spent.  He then began clerking in a
mercantile establishment belonging to his brother at Elmwood, La., and
after remaining with him one year and saving his means, he was again
enabled to enter school, this time being an attendant of Robeline Literary
School in Natchitoches Parish, attending one year.  The following six
months he taught the "young idea," but at the end of this time, after
another term of school, he determined to enter business, and in 1888
established himself at Lecompte with a stock of goods valued at $600, the
room he occupies being 26x50 feet.  His stock is now valued at some $4,000,
and he at all times employs a clerk.  His business is established on a cash
basis and amounts to about $10,000 annually.  He is also extensively
engaged in buying cotton, which he ships chiefly to St. Louis and New
Orleans markets, and it will thus be seen that he is a shrewd and capable
business man, with a bright future before him.  He owns two lots, two
separate buildings, a restaurant being conducted in one of them. Both lots
are well situated, the one which he occupies being in the most central part
of town.  Politically he is a Democrat.  His parents, J. C. and Ann
(Stevens) Knight, were born in Alabama, the father dying in that State when
the subject of this sketch was a child.  He was of English descent and a
merchant, planter, cotton ginner and miller by calling.