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George Augustus Knight

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George Augustus Knight

Birth
Herkimer County, New York, USA
Death
31 Jul 1930 (aged 91)
Montague County, Texas, USA
Burial
Nocona, Montague County, Texas, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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George A. Knight, United States Marshal for the Northern District of Texas, was born in the State of New York, where he passed his childhood and youth. He made the most of his educational opportunities, and what was lacking in training has been made up to him by that less gentle teacher, experience. At a comparative early age he began steamboating on the Ohio river, and continued the business for many years. He filled the position of clerk and pilot, and was made Captain before leaving the river. He became thoroughly familiar with the Ohio from its source to its mouth, and had many narrow escapes from dangers incident to river life. At the beginning of the Civil war he enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and carried his musket through three years of active service in camp and field. He trod his weary way through long marches, and participated in battles and sieges, passing into dangers and trials that are not met outside the battlefield. Upon the expiration of his term of enlistment he joined the One Hundred and Eighty-eight Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the surrender. He was never wounded and was never in the hospital. He was promoted successively to the rank of Captain, and afterwards served on General Van Cleve's Staff as Assistant Adjutant General. After the close of the conflict he returned to steamboating, but after a brief service he connected himself with the railroads south of the Ohio river, as a transportation agent. He then entered upon a career that covered twenty years of active and faithful service; he traveled over every portion of the United States, gaining an unlimited fund of information on all railroad topics. In 1882 Mrs. Knight came to Texas as the Southwestern representative of the Pennsylvania company with headquarters at Dallas. He filled this position until 1887, when he connected himself with the ‘Frisco Line in the capacity of Southwestern Passenger Agent with a jurisdiction over Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Indian Territory. He discharged the duties of this office with the usual zeal and energy that have characterized his transactions until his appointment as United States Marshall, his commission being signed within ten days of the application, on the 9th day of April, 1889, by President Harrison. His second commission, which is for four years, was signed January 27, 1890. He has 100,000 miles under his control as Marshall, and three federal courts, one at Waco, one at Graham, and one at Dallas. The services of from fifteen to eighteen deputies are required; but so perfectly are the forces organized that a greater number of criminals has been captured than in all previous administrations. He is mustering officer of the G. A. R., and the rapidly increasing membership is largely owing to his interest in the Post. In 1865 Mr. Knight was married, and has six surviving children. The eldest son is Postmaster at Pecos City, Texas, and two sons are assisting their father. The Captain is a stanch supporter of Republican principles. He is a man of the highest sense of honor and commands the respect and entire confidence of the community.
George A. Knight, United States Marshal for the Northern District of Texas, was born in the State of New York, where he passed his childhood and youth. He made the most of his educational opportunities, and what was lacking in training has been made up to him by that less gentle teacher, experience. At a comparative early age he began steamboating on the Ohio river, and continued the business for many years. He filled the position of clerk and pilot, and was made Captain before leaving the river. He became thoroughly familiar with the Ohio from its source to its mouth, and had many narrow escapes from dangers incident to river life. At the beginning of the Civil war he enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and carried his musket through three years of active service in camp and field. He trod his weary way through long marches, and participated in battles and sieges, passing into dangers and trials that are not met outside the battlefield. Upon the expiration of his term of enlistment he joined the One Hundred and Eighty-eight Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the surrender. He was never wounded and was never in the hospital. He was promoted successively to the rank of Captain, and afterwards served on General Van Cleve's Staff as Assistant Adjutant General. After the close of the conflict he returned to steamboating, but after a brief service he connected himself with the railroads south of the Ohio river, as a transportation agent. He then entered upon a career that covered twenty years of active and faithful service; he traveled over every portion of the United States, gaining an unlimited fund of information on all railroad topics. In 1882 Mrs. Knight came to Texas as the Southwestern representative of the Pennsylvania company with headquarters at Dallas. He filled this position until 1887, when he connected himself with the ‘Frisco Line in the capacity of Southwestern Passenger Agent with a jurisdiction over Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Indian Territory. He discharged the duties of this office with the usual zeal and energy that have characterized his transactions until his appointment as United States Marshall, his commission being signed within ten days of the application, on the 9th day of April, 1889, by President Harrison. His second commission, which is for four years, was signed January 27, 1890. He has 100,000 miles under his control as Marshall, and three federal courts, one at Waco, one at Graham, and one at Dallas. The services of from fifteen to eighteen deputies are required; but so perfectly are the forces organized that a greater number of criminals has been captured than in all previous administrations. He is mustering officer of the G. A. R., and the rapidly increasing membership is largely owing to his interest in the Post. In 1865 Mr. Knight was married, and has six surviving children. The eldest son is Postmaster at Pecos City, Texas, and two sons are assisting their father. The Captain is a stanch supporter of Republican principles. He is a man of the highest sense of honor and commands the respect and entire confidence of the community.


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