BIOGRAPHIES:  Miletus KNIGHT, Durand, Pepin Co., WI

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Submitted by Nance Sampson, Pepin Co. Archives File Manager on 19 November 2004
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**Posted for informational purposes only - submitter is not related to the
subject of this biography and has no further information.

Miletus Knight, dealer in agricultural implements, Durand, was born at
Scio, Allegany county, N. Y., March 21, 1838, and is a son of Handy and
Betsy Knight, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this work.  He
received a common-school education, and at the age of sixteen years
began clerking in a general store at Wellsville, N. Y.  In 1859 he came
to Eau Claire, where he clerked in a store and taught school.  He also
homesteaded a farm in Pleasant Valley township, and made improvements
thereon at intervals until December 10, 1863, when he enlisted in
Company F, Thirtieth Wisconsin volunteers.  The regiment was first
engaged in the northwestern Indian expedition under Gen. Sully, and
spent some time in building forts along the Missouri river.  In the
autumn of 1864 they were ordered to Kentucky and Tennessee, where they
did considerable skirmish duty.  In the following spring Mr. Knight was
detailed as a clerk in the adjutant general's office at Louisville,
where he continued until his discharge in October, 1865.  After the war
he resided on his farm until 1869, when he removed to Arkansaw, Pepin
county, Wis., and engaged in mercantile business, which he continued
for about eight years, during which time he was also postmaster there. 
In 1879 he was elected tot he office of county clerk and removed to
Durand.  About the same time he also began dealing in agricultural
implements, in which business he has ever since been engaged.

Since 1876 he has been agent for the sale of C., St. P., M. & O. R. R.
lands.  Mr. Knight has held various local offices, and has been a
notary public for twenty years past, and since 1881 has been either
sheriff or deputy sheriff of Pepin county.  One of his first duties in
that capacity was in connection with the Coleman-Williams tragedy, as
related elsewhere in this work.  He served one term each as sergeant-at-
arms of the Wisconsin assembly, and two terms as transcribing clerk of
the senate.  Mr. Knight married, in 1861, Melissa Goff, but about two
years later was called upon to mourn her death.  In November, 1865, he
married Electa N. Crandall, who was born at Almond, N. Y., and is a
daughter of William Crandall.  Six children were born of this union,
three of whom, Clifford, Oscar and Edwin, survive.  Mr. Knight
possesses a valuable library, including a number of historical works. 
He was employed by Messrs. Snyder & Van Vechten to write a history of
Pepin county, which was published in their "Atlas in Wisconsin."  He is
a prominent member of the order of I. O. G. T., and for fifteen years
past has been C. T. of the district lodge.  He is assistant secretary
of the Grand lodge and a member of the Rt. Worthy Grand lodge.  He is
also a member of the G. A. R. and the A. O. U. W.  He was for many
years a republican, but since the organization of the prohibition party
has been an enthusiastic advocate of that movement.

-Transcribed from the "Historical & Biographical Album of the Chippewa
Valley Wisconsin, 1891-2," pages 723-724.


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