Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Knight, Jesse W.
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Bristol Township


JESSE W. KNIGHT retired miller, P.O. Bristol, was born in 
Philadelphia September 15, 1823, and is a son of Jonathan 
and Elizabeth (Wilson) Knight, who were natives of this 
state, of Welsh and English descent.  His father, who was a 
farmer, was in 1832 elected a member of the legislature from 
Philadelphia county for two years, afterwards made associate 
judge, and subsequently was justice of the peace.  He died 
in Philadelphia in 1860, his wife dying in 1856.  They had 
ten children, of whom six are living.  The oldest son is a 
prominent farmer near Doylestown, and has been treasurer of 
Bucks county.  Our subject was educated at the academy in 
Philadelphia, learned the trade of a miller in New Hope, 
Bucks county, and in 1837 came to Bristol, and in 1841 
accepted the position of superintendent of the large mill of 
John Dorrance. He held this position seven years, when he 
entered into partnership with Mr. Dorrance, continuing for 
ten years.  He was elected to the state legislature in 1860, 
and was again elected in 1870 to the state senate for three 
years. He has also been director of the poor and a member of 
the town council of Bristol.  He has settled several estates 
to the satisfaction of all concerned.  Mr. Knight has been 
twice married, his first wife being Elizabeth Adair, who 
died in 1868.  They had two children:  John D., who is now a 
manufacturer and dealer in carpets in Philadelphia; and 
Frank, who is a traveling salesman for David Landreth & Son, 
seed men.  In 1871 Mr. Knight was married to his second 
wife, who is Sally, daughter of William Fenton, a 
sea-captain.  Mr. Knight is a member of the Society of 
Friends, a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the Knights of 
Pythias.  His wife belongs to the Episcopal church.