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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
Cc~
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 03146 0014
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/reunionofknowlesOOwils
REUNION
OF THE
KNOWLES .^ FAMILY
OF THE UN'ITED STATES.
HISTORICAL ADDRESS
Given by Rev. Levin Wilson , Septemher 24, 1896, at
THE Knou'les Reunion, Near Mounts,
Gibson CoUxNtv, Indiana.
Princeton, Indiana:
PRESS OF THE CLARION.
' 1898.
'' " COPY MADE B
L' ' INDIANA STATE LlBRAHI
BX
1535198
REUNION OF THE KNOWLES FAMILY
OF THE UNITED STATES.
|X THE WINTER of 1S95 and 1S96. Eli W. Knowles,
* of Mounts, conceived the idea of a reunion of the
Knowles fanrilv som.,- time in 1S96, and talked the mattcr
over with the relatives living
in tliis section of our coun-
trv. And finallv a meeting
was called at the residence
of Enos A. Kninvles. A
dozen or more m<'t and
formed an organization.
Eli W. KnowU's was chosen
chairman of the organiza-
tion and John \V. Knowles
j secretary. It was vot^d
! that some able man be se-
lected to deliver a historical
address. Rev. Levin Wil-
son was unanimousl}' se-
lected tor that duty. This was a high compliment to his
unequaled historical knowledge of the Knowles family ol
North America. Tlie woodland of John L. Knowles, a halt
^[OIIN W. KNOWLES.
*JonN W. Knowles.— Democrat. Abolition, last a Republican. Mv
'reli-ion is, be honest and truthful, do unto others as you would have them
do t'o vou, read the Bible and let vour dailv walk conform to its teaching.
Born "in Gibson countv. Indiana. August iSth, 182^.. Married Rachel C.
Carter. ]uuc .Mst. 1^5;,.
?y MADE BY
mile west of Mounts Station, on branch of E. &: T. H.
R. R., was selected as the place to hold the reunion, and
September 24th the time.
Everything necessary for the occasion was arranged and
every Knowles whose address we could ascertain had been
notified. The 24th of September came and was as beautiful
a day as could he desired. By ten o'clock one thousand or
more people were on the ground. Eight states were repre-
sented. A half hour was spent in social chat and hand-
shaking, when it was presumed time to commence the pro-
gram that had been arranged. The audience was called to
order by the chairman and the choir rendered some nice
and appropriate music. Then Uncle Asa Knowles, of Kan-
sas, offered a fervent prayer, after which the moderator
made a verv touching- address of welcome and the origin
and importance of family reunions. Aa the close of the
chairman's very able address, Rev. Levin Wilson was called
who responded to the call by stepping to the front of the
platform, and, in one of his most happy and pleasing moods,
delivered the following historical address.
John W. Knowles.
COPY MADE BY
INDIANA ST^TE LIBRARY
I..EVIN WILSON.
Abolitionist, Prohibitioni-^t, and minister of the Gospel. Was born
januarv 6th, 1S20.
COPY MADE BY
INDIANA ST1TE IJBRAHY
HISTORICAL ADDRESS
Given' i;v Rev. Le\'ix Wilson, Sei'Temt-ek 24, 1896, at
THE KXOWLES ReUNIOX, XeAR M(^UNTS,
GiHSoN CouN TV, Indiana.
Mr. /^rcs/doit ^ Kuozj/rs and Friends:
I teel lionoretl \o appear upon this plattoi'in as youv
speaker, thoui^h feeling mv incomj:>etencv.
It lias often been said there is nothing in a name. But
this is not alwavs true. Some names have much sijTnifi-
cance as showing the ch;iracter or condition of the person
or persons to whom it was tu'st applied. This is true of
the name Knowles, thi^ proper orthographv of whicli is
K-N-o-w-i.-E-s, not as som<\ K-n-o-l-e-s. aiul otlu-rs,
N-o-l-e-s, and hail its existence in the formation of the
English language, and from it the woi'd knowledge draws
its primarv make-up. The word Knowles having formerly
represented the great and wise, has lai'gely contributed to
the present signitlcation of know^ledge. The name ante-
dates historv and was evidently tlrst given to a class or pro-
fession, and not to a family or individual, conveying the
pertinent signification of "knowing ones." «
As civilization advanced and its elevating influence spread
over the country, and the light of the sun of righteousness
had illuminated the minds of the people, and barbarism had
passed away and the roasting of war victims ceased, the
Knowles family diflused themselves through the country,
each seeking the locality best adapted to his avocation.
Some came to America at an earlv dav, one familv, at
COPY MADE BY
— 6 —
least, settling in Connecticut ; and some years ago we had a
New England Knowlcs to preacli in this section of country!
At this point in the telling of our story, mention will be
made of several persons wearing the honored name of
Knowles. James Sheridan Knowles was a noted author
and dramatist. He, however, performed the noble act of
forsaking the stage for the pulpit. His father, James, was
master of lano-uaire. an eminent teacher of elocution, and
author of a dictionarv. Mr. Simon Knf)wles was born in
Connecticut in 17S6. He married in 1S02 a girl of tlfteen,
and lived in Meredith, N. Y.. from iSiS up to the time that
he was ninet^'-nine years of age, at which_ time lie could
half-sole a shoe as quickly and neatlv as any man. He
served through the war of 1S12, fur which he received a
pension of eight dollars a month. His wife, after having
lived with him eicrlitv vears, died at the age of ninety-five.
The name shows that Richard Knowles. of T^Iarietta, Ohio,
was a member in common of the great lamily of Knowles.
He was a sliip carpenter and kcelboater. He was at New
INf;idrid when it sunk during the great earthquake of iSii
and saved his life bv clinging to the branches of a tree. He
afterwards became a farmer and settled near Fairfield, 111.,
where he died not many years since. I will mention John
H. Knowles, who had a common origin with us all, a
prominent business man of Fremont, Neb., wiio is now East
attendincr to business affairs.
I now brincr before your minds Tames D. Knowles, who
was pastor for seven years in Boston. His preaching was
of a sublime as well as edifying character. He was pro-
fessor of sacred rhetoric for some tim.e in Newton, Mass.
And last, but not least in this miscellany of names, I call up
the natural and true poet, Herbert Knowles, who died before
his feet had walked through his twentieth year, and give a
sample of his composition :
"The first tabernacle to hope we will build,
And look for the sleepers around us to r)«e !
The second to faith which insures it fuKiIled;
And the third to the Lamb of the preat sacrifice.
Who bequeathed u;- them both when he rose to ihe skies."
COPT MilDE BY
INDIANA STATE LIBRARY
• In giving the histor}- of any family the surroundings make
it necessary to give a partial history of other families.
Especially is this true in America, where they marr}' and
intermarry in all families and amono- all nationalities.
The Knowles and Marvel families have loner been con-
nected. Both were English. Andrew ^Marvel was a mem-
ber of Parliament about the middle of the seventeenth cen-
tury and did his whole duty. There was not gold enough
in the Kino-'s exchequer to make him swerve from the right.
He was an author and poet of considerable note. It is a
well known fact that the ^Marvels and Knowles came at or
about the same .time, constituting a part of the colony of
Sussex county, Delaware. The Marvels turned tlieir atten-
tion to the raising of peaches and fine horses. From the
first they made their brandy which became an indispensible
article for the tamily and for public gatherings. They
were fond of a well-trained saddle horse and in their esti-
mation speed was an addition to his other good qualities.
And no youno- man in all that country rode a finer horse
and more richly mounted saddle than did David Marvel,
who was himself dressed in the finest blue broadcloth.
There was also living in the same country a wealthy
French family bv the name of Prettyman, whose daughter
was the prettiest girl in all the land. To her, after obtaining
the consent of her parents, young David made suit and Miss
Comfort Prettyman became the wife of David Marvel.
Their family occupied the front in society, being composed
of dau'j-hters, with only one son who was born in 1760, and
they named him Prettyman. This boy when he grew to
manhood was very small and an expert rider of race horses
which he made profitable as a business. And when he
wished a wife he sought and obtained the hand of Miss
Lavina Rogers, whose near relative was Governor of Dela-
ware. His cousin Elisha married her sister Orpha.
All \yho have tried it will agree that finding dates for the
past happenings is not only a tedious but a laborious busi-
ness. We have readily arrived at tlie fact that a large fam-
COPY MADE BY
8
ily ot Knowles' mij^rated from England to Delaware durincr
the first part of the eighteenth century. So far anything
more definite has not been obtained. After a careful
research the first name of the head of the famih' remains in
obscurity. However, there was a son in this famih- who
was strong and ambitious and by his recklessness got a
name which has come down throui{h the <renerations to the
present time. Dissatisfied with the peaceable surroundings,
and feeling as if he were the equal of half a dozen Indians
in morlal combat, he crossed over and joined the \'irginia
ai'm\- in a war ot exttM^mina-
lion of tlic Indians. lint
h" soon returni'd >alistied
v>ith his sojourn in the vir-
irin land, leaving for a
nis^mento a piece of his brain
covering, and had inserted
instead llu-rrof a sheet of
silver. lie stands first in
the historv of the family
with a given name, and
there are none of his numer-
ous descendants but what
will remember to refer back
to old Silicr/iead Kiunvhs.
After his Virginia lesson he
became more sober in his
habits and proved himself worthy of the respect and
confidence of all who knew him. Me was noted
for intelligence and integrity. He married a lady of
distinction, said to be of Swedish extraction. She was
an excellent wife and he proved to be a worthy
husband. They raised a lamily of honorable notoriety.
Thev had a son of whom it was said that he was
*Nathan Knowles. — Democrat; b-.-k)n.u'ed to no c'.iurcli orc.xnization,
believed them all wrong. Born June 17, 179.V in Delaware. Married Tem-
perance Boren in 1S22. Died at Knowles Station. Indiana. February 2. 1S92.
INDIAi^JA STATE^LIBRARY
— 9 —
a perfect pattern of humanity, not onl}^ in the figure and
make of his body, but in a well-balanced mind and sterling
moral qualities. His name was Richard. He obtained one
of those hardy, energetic Finnish ladies for a wife. She
possessed a large portion of that religious culture for which
the people of her country were noted at that time. She
bore him several children, named Richard, Zechariah,
Edmund, and Prudence. (The Noles of Posey county,
Indiana, are descendants of Zechariah). After her death
he married a second wife, said to be a sister of his former
one. She bore him Thomas and James. The last men-
tioned was born May 9th, 1757. In him is first manifested'
the head of this grand and happy throng before me to-day.
Richard and boys joined to their larming the business of
logging, which gave them plent}- of work at all seasons ot
the year and added something to tlieir yearly income.
Youno- lames, when he arrived at manhood, looked upon
Patience, a d^iuo-hler of David Marvel, who was born Jan-
uarv ^i, I7=i8, a o'ood iivA and one who was admired bv all
that were so fortunate as to obtain her acquaintance, and
loved her. And by the consrnt of her parents she becam-^
his wife in the twenty-first year of his age. For about
seventeen years, in the land of their nativity, they lived
happily and toiled hard for a plentiful support. There was
born unto them six sons and one daughter who were named
Preltvman, James, Eddy, Jesse, Comfort Marvel (for her
grandmother) , and Nathan, who died in infancy and was
buried in Delaware. There followed June 17, 1795, the
birth of another son and they called him Nathan. They
now had upon their hands an increasing family, with
enlarged expenses, without the corresponding growth of an
income.
The unsurpassable climate of Georgia and the adaptability
of her soil to the cotton plant was everywhere known. The
excitement- produced by the invention of Eli Whitney m
1793 of the famous saw cotton gin, was well-nigh universal.
The crlow of cotton enamored the farmers. They saw
■^^S'Sm
lO
tlirou£[-h it the sure and immediate way to wealth. Amoncr
those affected were Prett3'man ^Marvel and James Knowles ;
these determined to leave the Diamond state for the Empire
state of the South.
During the summer of 1795, James and Patience prepared
to leave the land of their nativity, and when the autumn
leaves had changed their hues and the noon rays tell more
obliquely, they packed their goods and at the appointed
time their wagon moved off through the adjacent part of
MarN'land to the Chesapeake Ijay. They boarded a
schooner which had been previously engaged. The Captain
said, "I insure safe passage to all."' So, according to
promise, he landed them safely on the \^irginia shore. An
incident occurred on board the vessel which was alarming.
Jesse, who was always a venturesome and risky tellow,
beincr about seven years of ag'e, was missed, which created
some excitement ; but lie was discovered standing outside ol
the boat on a margin of less than a foot. One of the sailors
ordered all to keep quiet and said he would save the child.
He approached him by saying, "Little boy, yoa have a
pretty place — I will go and stand with you," and when near
enough he took hold of him and took him into the ship.
They took their long and tedious journey through Virginia
and the Carolinas into Greene county, Georgia, hfteen miles
from Greensborough, the county seat, and sixty miles north
of west from Augusta.
James and his taithful wife settled down apparently satis-
fied for life. They found many things plenty and conven-
ient. But he, being a Presbyterian of the strictest and
purest type, had no church privileges nearer than the county
seat, where, however, he often spent the Sabbath "with a
multitude that kept holy day." Patience, his loved and
loving wife, was never known to utter a word against his
theory of religion ; but could, as she conceived, see much in
the various church organizations which was contrary to the
spirit of Christ, and of a selfish character. She preferred
not to join any of them, feeling that slie had "joined herself
^^^4 Sr^f.BF
^EHylHy
— II —
to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be for-
gotten " She was baptized in infancy and was fully satis-
fied with her relations to the new Covenant.
Their surroundings as well as the pleasantness of the
famih' rendered all happy. And in the midst of general
prosperity, on the 25th of October, 1797, another son came
and they called him Ephraim, a name properly applied, for
it signifies fruitful. James and Patience were faithtul in
their house, for notwithstanding tlie great pressure upon
their time to provide for so large a family, they remembered
the moral and spiritual need of their children and gave them
all to the Lord in the holy ordinance of baptism, and as
regular and certain as the first day of the week came they
were thorouirhlv catechised. Bv this means they had stored
in memory a tair knowledge of the scriptures and a strong
system of theology, which no doubt exerted a wonderful
influence in giving to all these sons and the daughter the
unprecedentedly high moral characters which diey pos-
sessed.
Time passed on and there was added to their family two
more boys, Eli and Asa, which made eight living sons.
Yet they became somewhat dissatisfied, which feeling daih'
increased. For they very soon, to their sorrow, learned
that they had made a poor exchange of countries. Dela-
ware was a plain without hills and retained the fertility ot
her soil with an increasing ratio, while Georgia was hills
without a plain and two or three years' cultivation exhausted
her soil.
Prettyman Marvel and James Knowles were not only near
relatives by marriage, but great friends, diflering somewhat
in their religious views, yet they were just what the spirit
of Christ always makes, ov?^;^ men. They had the utmost
confidence in each other and did not wish to be far separated.
So we find that Prettyman, with his increasing family,
tinder like influences with those of James and actuated by
similar motives, went down into Georgia, taking with him
David, the son of his sister. Prudence, and Richard
COPY MADE BY
INDIANA STATE LIBRARY
Knowles. junior. Tlie two friends were neighbors in
Geortfia.
David Knowles was small and resembled his uncle, ph3'S-
icallv and mentally. There was in that countr}^ a ^^oung
ladv bv the name ot Xancy Piper whose industr}-, energy,
and perseverance knew no bounds. David formed her
acquaintance and she beeame his wife. Unto them were
born two sons. After this, under the influence of his uncle,
whom he lo^•ed and obeved as a father, lie gathered liis stulT
and familv and left with him for Indiana J^ut v>hen in
Kentuckv, unpleasant ru-
mors met them from beyond
the Ohio River. So they
hailed and remained until
two more sons were gi\en
unto tliem, and in the spring
of 1812 the\' came into In-
diana, stopping tor a lew
\-ears in another locality,
and then came into this
neighborhood and made
their final home upon the
Fisher farm, near where the
Black Ri\'er f^^chool house
now stands. In this state
thev had an addition to
their familv o( four boys
girls, making twelve in all. named ^Villiam,
(for his grandfather, Richard Knowles),
Archibal. Betsv, Comfort, John, David,
TIenrv. Permelia, and Logan, These all
grew to manliood and wom;inliood and liad families ot
their oun, except Permelia, who died a maiden lady. This
lamih- helped largely to remove the wilderness of the
ASA KNOWLES.
and t'oni
Ricliard
Marvel,
Lavina,
*.^SA Knowi-fs. — Democr.it; Cumberland Preshvtcrian; of almost
tinboimdec] ambitions and firmness. When ho formed his opinions lie was
immovable. 15orn March ;th. iSo:;, in Georgia. Xow lives near Q^iincv,
Kansas.
COPY MADE BY
INDIANA STATE LIBRARY
I country, for they were industrious to a fault. They, how-
l ever, scattered into various parts of the country. But I
I rejoice with you to knov/ that a number of their descendants
I are with us to-day.
I Prettyman was like James — things were not satisfactory,
and, to use his own language, he "had enough of Georgia."
I l^hey heard niiinv things favorable of Indiana, which at that
! time embraced Illinois. After a lono- and serious consulta-
I tion, circumstances being such that James could not leave
I at that time, it was determined that Prett\'man should make
the venture, fullv assured that if their circumstances were
I not bettered thev would not be worsted. So he gathered
up his goods and family and left for the Northern wilder-
ness, meeting with many trials and hardships such as bear
heavil}^ upon the very soul of man. Yet this man of taith
as well as works pressed forward through all obstacles, tor
morniniT and evenin<f the sweet incense of prayer arose trom
1 his tent to God. But evil tidin(js came out of the North.
( and floods of water retarded their journev. ^o to be sate
i - , •
I every way the}- stopped through the summer ot 1809 in
j Kentucky. But in the fall thev came over into Indiana
j and pitched their tent near "Old l-'ort Branch," where they
i remained until the spring of 1S12, when they, atier having
I first prepared a cabin, came upon the tarm now owned b\'
our worthy citizen, Samuel Mar\el, just across the wa\' south
of where we now are.
Prettyman, having left some business unfinished, in the
fall of 1810 returned to Georgia, settled up his affairs,
arranged with James to come the next fall, and came back,
Jesse Knowles and wife coming with him. Their goods
were all packed upon the back of an old horse ; the wife,
with a babe in her arms, was seated on top of them, while
Jesse walked in front. Thus they made their way through
to this country. On their leaving, James took his boy by
tlie hand and said: "Jesse, be a good boy and always do
as your uncle tells you, for he will tell you nothing wrong."
I And some account for his strong prejudice in tavor of the
COPY MADjl EY
INDIANA STATE LIBRARY
— 14 —
Methodists upon this ground, his uncle being one. The
children of Prettj^man and Lavina were John, Patience,
Comfort, Prettyman, James, Wile}-, Elizabeth, Nancy, and
Georcre.
Now there was a certain Robert Montgomery, a good-
hearted Presbyterian, who attended the same church in
Georgia that James Knowlcs did. He came over to Indiana
in advance and was making his home with a Mr. Moore,
near Patoka River, but when he heard of the arrival of the
Knowles' and Marvel's, lie came down amon^f them He
was one t)f those tellows who was alwavs handy when about
and would as soon help the girls milk as not. So, being at
Prettyman Marvel's, he was out assisting the girls in milking
and, without seeking an}- particular opportunity, when
seated upon a stump, holding the calf bv the ears while
Patience milked, he poj^ped the question b}^ saving, "Pacie,
will you milk my cows?" She answered, "No, I won't
m.ilk your cows, Yobin." But iifler a more sober thought
she was hot satisfied with her answer, and she said, "Say
that agahi, Yobin." "Say what?" he replied. "That you
said awhile ago." "Pacie, will you milk mv cows?"
"Yes, Yobin, I will milk your cows." So in a few weeks
the Methodist preacher came around and, without legal
authority, they were made husband and wife. This took
place in 1S12 and was the iirst marriage in the neighbor-
hood, and the only one which was whollv in the Lord.
Robert was a soldier in the v/ar of 1S12, and in after vears
when his widow applied for a pension she failed, because no
record of their marriage could be found ; until Nathan
Knowles, the only li\ing witness, went forward and testified
to the above facts.
Prettyman, the oldest son of James, accompanied his
father to a meeting about forty miles f-om their hom.e, and
while there he saw and made the acquaintance of a INIiss
Martha Greer, who was said to be the prettiest girl in the
state. This was before Daguerreian picture-taking was in
fashion, therefore they could not exchange. Nevertheless,
""^"s^rM,.
I ;
the image of Miss Greer was so implanted upon the very
soul of Prett\'man that he could look no way but what she
was facing him ; in short, he loved her. And as he took
much pride in having the prettiest as well as the best, m a
proper manner he privately signified the desires of his heart
to her. And when she looked upon his manly form, his
beautiful blue eyes, fair complexion, and ivory teeth, she
neither had nor wished for power of resistance, and he
became her husband. They constituted the head of a large
family. There was born unto them in Georgia three sons
and one daugliter.
There is a crreat difference in the circumstances which are
brought to bear upon men, causing them to choose their
destinv for life. Miss Anna Reed came to James Knowles'
to assist Comfort in doing the work, and a noble hand she
was. She also understood the art of being attractive without
any great ctTort, and in the eyes of young James she was
truly lovely. She became his wife and to them were born
- - *
a son and daughter in the state of Georgia.
Eddy Knowles disliked a little stingy act, especially if he
was the sufferer. It came to pass that he and one ot his
brothers were working for some well-to-do people and tliey
gave them very fat meat and sour milk to eat. The tolks
were very religious and always had "grace" at the table.
So it came around Eddy's time to say "grace" and he did
what verv few could do. In a very solemn way he raised
his hand and said : "Glory be to thee, oh fat. The fat has
lost its lean, and I will swear, by my old hat, the milk has
lost its cream. Amen." The grace had the desired etTect,
for without an apology lean meat and sweet milk were
served at the next meal.
p:ddy married Miss Nancy Fitzpatrick. She proved to
be a woman of much endurance, for she walked all the way
from Georgia to this country. It became necessary for
them to start for the North before the others were ready.
So they packed their goods upon the back of a horse and
the shoulders of a negro, and for their defence he took his
r,,^^ copy
nr
BY
— i6
gun upon his shoulder. His wife walked by his side, the
negro and horse in front, and a big dog behind. It was
after this style they made their wa}^ to Indiana and settled
the quarter section of land upon which Mr. Lemuel Weldon
now lives. It was here he made the model red elm pole
lence. He sold this improvement to Mr. Samuel Mont-
gomery, who was afterwards justice. He then bought the
tract southwest of Black River scliool house, where he
raised a famiU^ of nine children : Ezekiel, Solomon,
Patience, Jackson, Patsy, Lorenzo D.. Ruth Ann, John R.,
and Priscilla. He cut some
timber upon a little girl and
killed her, and in after years
his son, Solomon, killed his
little brother after the same
manner. Two sad acci-
dents in the same family.
Comfort M., the only
daughter of James and Pa-
I ticnce, was married to
Joshua Wilson on the gth
of April, 1S07. He was a
farm superintendent and
had but few equals in his
business To them were
born a daughter and a son
in Georo-ia. In irettinsr
^fOHX L. KXOWLES.
ready to come to this country he swapped a woman and
child for a horse to work in his cart. The woman was con-
sidered of more value than the horse ; the remainder was
paid in money years afterward.
All things being ready, about November 1st, iSii, James
and Patience Knowlcs, having condensed their propert}-,
procuring all the money possible — Patience, with the liousc-
*JoHX L. Knowles. — Democrat; no church member, but a firm beh'ever
in the Christian reh"gion: a hard worker; a mar. who alwavs attended strictiv
to his own business and left' evervone free to do the same thino-.
INDI
ilL^;rl
MDE BY
^ITE LIBRARY
hold goods, in the wagon, the tour boys afoot, and James
on "the near horse" — moved otT and left Georgia forever.-
Then followed Pretty man with his cart, wife and tour chil-
dren. After them came James with his cart, wife and two
children. The son-in-law brought up the rear with his cart,
wife and two children. Besides this family of twenty, two
or three young m.en came with them. The\- traveled
slowly, but each day shortened the distance. They passed
through the Cherokee Indian country and found them
friendly, willingly furnishing them with all the provision
needed. The Indians were "sharp" and as well posted in
reo-ard to the value of eatables as the Knowles\
They met with som.c mishaps in the mountain region by
turnincr over and breakincj down carts. I'ut thev were pre-
pared for almost anv emergency with tools and a knowledge
of how to use them. They were an independent traveling
communitv, doing their own cooking, sleeping on their own
beds, Iraving their own camp-tires. They were not destitute
of morals, for their head was a Presbyterian elder and the
Sabbath was remembered by them. However, one Sunday
as they were camped some wild fowls settled on a tree near
by, and he said, "Nathan, get the gun and shoot one."
He obeyed and down came the bird. The boy, with fowl
in hand, approached his father and said, "This will be good,
for I killed it on Sunday." Thus the old man was reproved,
for he had given the order without thinking it was the
Sabbath.
They had two objective points, Nashville and the Red
Banks. Before reaching the first, upon Lookout Mountain,
part of their company were below in the midst of a hard
rain storm while the others were above in the beautiful
sunshine. Having reached Nashville, they replenished
their stock of provisions, crossed the Cumberland River,
.and for many miles had a fine road which was highly
appreciated by them. The weather was mild and pleasant
and they were healthy, full of life and hope.
However, the warmth of their glee was cooled on hearing
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of the battle of Tippecanoe, on November 5th, where many
were slaughtered while it was yet dark, b\' Tecumseh's
Indian warriors, marshaled under the Prophet ; and the
herald reported that "it was owing to the imbecilit}^ of
General Harrison who was made the dupe of the Prophet."
Some one brought up a proposition to stop in Kentucky,
but it was at once voted down, sa^-ing, "We started for
Indiana and to Indiana we will go." They slowly but
perseveringh' traveled on until the Red Banks were reached
and in full force the Oliio River was crossed, and at evening
tide ot December i6th thev encamped upon its northern
shore, the very bordc-j- of the "promised land."
That night they were called lo\vitness, as a remembrance,
the earth reel to and fro like a drunken man. It was the
time of tlie great earthquake of 181 1. James, senior, as he
la}- in his wagon, wa^ aroused h\ the shaking and, hearing
others up, said, "Jimmy, I wisli y(^u would scare the hogs
awa}' from my wagon, for thev are sliaking it ternblv." A
young Mr. Reed, wlio was sleeping b}- the lire, on awaking
cried out, "The chairs are at it, too." Thi^ was one of the
times tlie Knowles' were much frightened, but soon prepared
and ate their first breakfast in Indiana, and with jrreater
haste tlian usual took up the line of march.
A few miles brought them to a i\Ir. Wagoner's, where to
their great joy the}' met Jesse Knowles and John Marvel,
who came to micet them and pilot them. to Old Fort Branch,
and late in the day of the 17th of December, 181 1, to the jov
of all, they arrived at Prettyman Marvel's. Alter a dav's
rest they came down here, by way of Mr. Walter Montgom-
ery's, and about eighty rods from where we are to-dav^ on
this quarter section of land, they built their cabin of poles,
of which there were plentv, and procured some provisions
irom Mr. Nicholson, who resided where our esteemed
friend and relative, John L. Knowles, now lives. Pie gave
them all the pumpkins they- wished, of which he had plenty
uninjured by the frost. It was here in a dense forest, sur-
rounded by howling wolves, screaming panthers and grunt-
^^ copy MADS BT
^' ^ STATE LIBRARY
— 19 —
ing bears, they spent their first Christmas in Hoosier land,
with thoughts running back to the Cross and the redemption
of the world by it,
James and bovs cleared some ground and in the spring
planted it in corn, which produced a large crop, and trom
straw brought with them a grain of wheat was taken and
planted, which yielded many fold, and in a few years of
careful planting and harvesting gave them all the wheat
they wanted and supplied the whole tamih'. The grain was
verv small, almost round and white. It was a small begin-
ning, but, like the Knowles', increased prodigously. They
built a better round lotr cabin, in which thev were more
comfortable, and at"terwards a neat hewed log house, with
a good and nice iloor made of white wood puncheons,
dressed -and prepared by Nathan, who was an expert with
the broadax. The root" was made of shingles eighteen
inches lon<r, rived and sluived bv hand, each one fastened
with a wooden pin. All the holes for the pins were bored with
a bit owned bv Josiuui Wilson. The house had a porch on
the south side. Thev made brick and built th.e chimney.
They were now fixed for comfortable living, but PatiePiCe,
who had svmptoms of consumption years before leaving
Geortfia, fell a victim to that dreadful disease Mav ^\.h,
1817. Siie was placed in a coffin of' native black walnut,
the lumber of which was sawed by hand. The lid was self-
fasteninu". The cotbn was made bv that expert workman.
Judge Thomas Alcorn, and in ever\' respect neatly finished,
for which he chartred three dollars. Her funeral was
preached by the Rev. James McGready, an eminent, vigor-
ous and zealous minister of the Gospel, who resided at the
Red Banks. His text was "Blessed are the dead which die
in the Lord from henceforth ; yea, saith the spirit, that !he\'
may rest from their labours ; and their works do follow
them."
"Her flesh shall slumber in the ground
'Till the last trumpet's jovful sound:
Then burst the grave with sweet surprise.
And in her Saviour's image rise."
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20
Happ}^ is the true way of life, serene, ever brightening as
it nears the clearing of all clouds, the ceasing of all storms
as it more and more clearly sees the Author of all life.
Patience had never suffered herself to be drawn away from
the great central truth of Christianity, "Christ the hope of
glory," by the advocates of external churchanity. Her
christianit}' was of the generic kind and her piety of the
purest type.
James was left without a wife and the bo3's without a
mother and there was no woman to keep the house. How-
ever, Nathan, who was now a full-grown man and capable
of turning his liand to anj'thing needed, was very soon
ready to contend with any woman for the mastery in getting
up an elegant meal. Yet that wav of living was not satis-
tactorv to James, for lie realized the truth of what God had
said, "It is not good that the man should be alone." So he
married Mrs. Clark, wliose maiden name was Elizabeth
Smith. She liad live children, two sons and three daugh-
ters. She was careful, full of business, and knew nothing
else but to be industrious. Elizabeth bore James two chil-
dren : Prudence, who died in infimcy, and our own John
Lowery, who by industry and econoni}'^ has accumulated a
large land property.
James Knowles, in connection with Samuel Montgomer}-,
who was also an elder in the Presbyterian Church, con-
sented, through the urgent entreaties of the Rev. William
Barnett, to become a basis for the organization of a Cumber-
land Presbj'terian Church, without reordination or relin-
quishing any part of their former faith, "For the sole pur-
pose of advancing the cause of Christ." Around these men
was gathered the first Cumberland Presbyterian society in
Indiana in the autumn of 1S14. James never changed his
theolocrical views, but remained a staunch Presbvterian to
the day of his death.
James passed the meridian line of life. His head was
frosted, the activity of youth had departed, and he was an
old man. It was at this period of his life that he saw fit to
INDIAi^A oTAXE LIBRARY
21
1^2)1 I^Cfl^
divide his farm with his son, Ephraim, retaining the western
half, with the houses, for himself. Slowly his strength
failed and his pov/ers were broken down, and having lived
more than four score years in this world, he bid adieu to all
earthly things and yielded up the ghost and was gathered
unto his fathers October 23d, 1S39. He was of the good of
earth and was taken a\\'ay from the evil of this world to an
inheritance incorruptable and undefiled, one which will
remain forever. His bod\- was laid to rest beside that of his
beloved Patience, not far
from their residence.
His funeral sermon was
preached h\ Rev. Wm.
McClusky to a large con-
course of people.
Prett^'man and Martha
raised the tV)llo\vin(»-
o
named children : Bur-
ton, James, Elizabetli
Ann, Wiley, ?>Iartin,
Allen, Asa, I5err\ , Craw-
ford, and Susanna, six of
them born in this conn-
try. Prettvman, b\- the
advice of his uncle,
bought the quarier sec-
tion of land joining his on the south, which was considered
a "first-rate tract of land." Here he built his cabin and
lived in it. He, however, made a division with his
brother, Jesse, giving him all the land on the east side of
Black River. Some vears afterward he bought Jesse out,
but sold twenty-five acres off of the north side of his land
to his uncle. Pretty-man Marvel.
Prettyman obtained some knowledge of the coopers' trade
*Prettymax Knowlks. — Democrat; Cumberland Presbyterian; Elder
in Mount Zion Church; tor many vears conducted a weekly prayer meeting
and Sabbath school. Born 17S0 in Delaware. Died near Petersburg. Ills.,
in 1S71.
KX / 111!!.
*PRETTYM.\X KNO\VL?:S.
. .lmjE by
state library
through his brother-in-law, Joshua Wilson, which was worth
something to him. When he had opened out a farm he put
together a massive pile of hewed logs for a dwelling, with
two huge brick tireplaces, and became one of the most pros-
perous farmers of the neighborhood lie and his faithful
wife went into the organization of the first C. P. congrega-
tion called "Hope Well." He soon became an elder and
remained one as long as he lived in the country. Wiien he
was old, through the inlluence of his sons, he disposed of the
farm he had made and loved so well and moved to central
Illinois, vliere. after liaving well served his generation in a
long life, he was called to the home of his fathers, r^Iarch,
1871. lie was born in Delaware, the i6th of Septt'mber^
1 7S0 : h< died in Illinois, and onlv two of his children are
alive to-dav, Martin and Allen. Two of his grandsons
became ministers — ^James, son of llurton, and Wilev, son ot
Martin — and two, attornevs — vSamuel and Thomas, both
sons of ^\sa. Anyone, whether he wears the name Knowles
or some other, may justlv be proud to know tliat Prett\-man
was his ancestor.
James and Anna designed to- 'nuild a cabin on the quarter
section north of his lather's, u'itii th.e intention of buving it,
but being necessarily slow, a IMr. Sharp bought the land
and so notified Jam.es with orders to leave, but on measure-
ment it was found that his cabin was on his lather's land,
lie linally bought some live miles east of where we are
to-dav, made a farm and a comfortable livinor. He learned
the cooper's business under his brother-in-law and it proved
to be of advantacre to him. Ilis honestv insured good work.
He professed to be a Christian and became a member of the
first C. P. societ}' in the state, and an elder. The church
was a great gainer bv his membership and Christianity hon-
ored b}" his profession.
• James was highlv esteemed hv his neighbors and his
influence over them was great. His example and precepts
wei'e onh' good. His noble wife was trulv a help in every
good thing. James spent a dozen vears of his earlv life in
JNDMM"smf\£ARY
the state of Delaware and more than that number in Georo-ia.
He was born August 3, 1783, and al'ter living in Indiana
about fift}' years he closed his e}-es upon all the loveliness of
earih and entered into that rest prepared for him, March i,
1861. James and Anna raised nine children: Rhesa,
Nancy, Patience, Sarah, Alberry, Comfort, Marticia,
Keturah and Barnett ; onK' one-third are alive to-day,
namelv, Keturaii, ?vlarticia and Barnett.
Jesse married a Miss Elizabeth Reed. Thev raised nine
children, named Emilv,
f"-" ' — ~ 1
Reubin, Eli, Jesse, l-.liza i
Ann, Samuel II., Maitha, [
Eucilla and I'vlizabeth. r
Onl\' hrmiU' remair.s on |
earth and we rejoice to [
know lluit we are iaxored
with her presence to-day. |
Jesse, at'ter dispc)^ing ot ;
his Black River pro[HM-ty, '.
bought and lived on a firm •
a few miles east ot this
place, which he sold to tlie [
late Warrick Monto;omerv I
t. - I
and m<)\ed to cenlrah I Hi- [ , , _
nois after his famil\- were
all grown.
Jesse imbibed tiie piinciples of the M. E. Church and
became an enthusiastic religionist, had preaching in his
house, gave land for a church and camp-meeting ground.
He took a lively interest in the prosperity of /i/s cliurch.
He tilled the responsible place of "class leader." He was
a man who read his Bible daily and gave his own interpre-
tation, tVomi which he was not easily swerved, and seemed
to take much comfort in the application of its truths. Jesse
was very decided in his convictions and uncompromising
"Lewis Wilson — Minister of the Gospel and foremost in everv reform.
Was born October 15. 1S14. and died Jidv 22, 1S90.
^LKWIS WILSO.X,
r MKUE EY
MDIiOM STATE LIBRARY
with what he conceived to be wrong, and the last man in
the world to cover up or hide sin or shield and fellowship*
the sinner. A ver}- true illustration of his characteristics
may be drawn from the following incident: A Mr. Bl3^the,
a prominent INIethodist, and Jesse got so situated that things
looked verv ditTerent to them, which resulted in alienation
and almost a state of irrcconciliation which made matters
in the class unpleasant and things in general disagreeable^ ■
so the "circuit rider" went to work to fix things up. He
was successful in getting the two brothers in meeting before
him. Wlien he called upon them to "arise" they each
obeyed. He then requested tlu-m to go forward. They
moved ii few steps toward each other \\ lien the preacher
said, "Now, Brotlier Blvthe, shake hands with Knowles."
He reached out his hand. "Brother Knowles, take the
hand of Brother Blythe." But Brother Knowles looked'
into the face of his pre<icher with a defiant sternness and
s;iid, "Xo, sir; I would iis soon shake hands with the devil
as his imps."
Jesse never lost sight of his Bible nor swerved from his
Methodism, but took both with him into Illinois. How-
ever, he was not long in that state before the Divine mes-
senger came for him. He was born in Delaware, July lO,
1787. and died in Illinois, ^Marcli 14, 1S52. He was the
first of the nine children of James and Patience that came
from Georgia to die and his life was the shortest.
Comlort M. was born February 14, 1790, in the state ot
Delaware, and was married to Joshua Vv^ilson, iApril 9, 1S07,
and died December 31, 1S6S. Joshua was born June iS,
1775, and after a protracted sickness of winter fever died
April II, 1S39. His father's name was Joshua and was of
Scotch descent, and from either ^Maryland or Virginia. He
moved into North Carolina when his son was but a babe,
where he died, leaving a wife and several children, among
them his namesake. Joshua worked at the cooper's trade
for several years in North Carolina. He spent a few j'ears
in Georgia, where he was farm overseer. He returned to
COPT MADE BY
INDIAI'Jil STATE LIBRARY
-^Z)
his old home and friends in North Carolina. But they
ofFered him better wages in Georgia, so he went back and
several years he was the superintendent of I\Ir. Amasa
Palmer's farms previous to his coming to Indiana. On •
their arrival in this country he bought the quarter section of
land adjoining' Prett^'man Knowles on the south, where Tvlrs.
Elinor "VVilson now lives. Four years later he bought the
quarter section west. He afterwards bought two other
quarter sections and the eastern half of the Daniel Fisher
quarter section. They
were living on the first
named land at Christmas,
iSii, in a camp m.ade by
placing one end oi poles
in forks and the otlier on
the irround, with cross
poles upon which the cov-
ering of boards was laid.
There were boards set up
on end at the sides. The
beds were where the roof
came near the ground and
the fire in the opposite end.
They remained there all
winter and were comfort-
able and happy. It was in
this tenement their third
child was born March 12, 181 2. That spring they put up a
neat house of round logs and lived in it until the year 1S22.
Joshua put up a shop at the west end of the cabin and there
plied his trade with success. About seventy rods south
from where he first settled he built three large rooms of
hewed log's and lived in them until the day of his death.
■EPHRAIM KNOWLES.
*Ephr.mm Knowlf.s was born October 25th, 1797, in Green county,
Georgia. Moved to Gibson county, Indiana, December, iSd. Married
Cynihia Kimball, October 20th, 1S25. In politics was a Whig, then an
Abolitionist, and later a Republican. Was a member of the Congregational
Church at his death, which occurred August 17th, 1SS2.
r\C
^ ^^AiE LIBRARY
— 26 —
Joshua and Comfort raised nine children, their names as
follows: Asenath, James, Elizabeth, Lewis, Nathan, Levin,
Anna, Henrietta and Amasa Palmer. These all lived to
have families of their own. Joshua and Comfort were very
strict with their children ; however, they gave them the
utmost libertv in the right, but none in the wrong. Not one
of these children at any time of their lives was heard to swear
an oath. The Bible was made the source of council from
their vouth all through life. James, Lewis and Amasa were
popular school teachers in their young days. James was
associate judge for some years, lie studied medicine and
practiced for several years. Lewis represented Pike county
in the state legislature. Lewis and Levin turned their at-
tention to the study of theology and became noted ministers
of tlie gospel through their strong opposition to slaverv and
received their share of persecution. Nathan was accidently
killed by the falling of a log at a house-raising. x\masa was
an excellent mathematician ; he died before he was old.
They are all dead but Levin and lie has lived longer than
any one of the otliers.
Nathan was born in the state of Dehuvare, June 17, 1795,
and was married to Miss Temperance, the daughter of Nich-
olson Boren (who was from Tennessee,) January 31, 1822,
by Samuel INIontgomery, Esq. She was the mother of seven
children, all of whom are alive to-day. She died Septem-
ber 13, 1S35. Nathan lived until Febuary 2, 1S92.
Nathan bought land joining Joshua Wilso.n on the south
in 1S17. He cleared two acres in iSiS and built around it
the strontTcst fence ever seen on Black River. It was m
almost ever}' respect proof against the depredations of the
wild animals. The deer were numerous at that tim.e.
Nathan planted an orchard in 1S19. He cultivated his two-
acre farm in potatoes the summer of 1S20 and the next year
in' tobacco. In 1S21 he built the best log house in the
neighborhood and had it ready for the reception of his wife
when he married, and without dela}' the}^ commenced house-
keeping. They were happy in each other's society, their
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JNDUWA STATE mmj
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seven children were health}- and strong fellows and were
named Serelda, Enos, JohnW., Asbery, Louisa, Martha and
Melissa. In process of time he added the quarter section of
land west to his farm and also eighty acres on the east which
made him 400 acres of farm which he managed successtully.
Nathan when more than eighty years of age cut the timber
and made fence rails. He said that an old man was under
as much obligations to work as a young one. Nathan took
the position that a mian ought never to marry but one time ;
he proved his faith by his
^
yj
works, and as he had
studied the subject thor-
oughlv and argued fiom a
moral standpoint he could
make a plain case. He
was fond ot reading the
Bible ; he took a peculiar
delight in Christ's sermon
on the mount, because he
said it told him just how to
live. He planted a vine-
yard and drank of the wine,
but whatever may have
been the influence left upon
others he kept himself from
the awful curse of drunken-
ness and was largely a
model citizen. He possessed the ability of generally
letting people manage their own affairs while he claimed
the rip-ht to look after his own business. To him the
need}^ never applied in vain nor suffering humanit}- turned
*Eli Knowles, the subject of the above sketch, taught the first school of
the community about midway between Cynthiana and Owensville, when
only thirteen years of age. From early youth he was a close and diligent
student, and was one of the foremost mathematicians in the state. He was
an Eclectic medical practitioner for the last thirty -five years of his life and
met with eminent success. Politically he was a Whig until the formation of
the Republican party, casting his fortunes with it. He first united with the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, but afterwards attached himself to the
Congregationalists.
-:^ELI KNOWLES.
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INDIAlNiA STATE LIBRARY
— 28 —
away without relief. His rule of life was "All things
whatsoever ye would that men should do to you do 3-6
even so to them ; " there was little or no deviation
from this rule during a long life. After the death of his
wife Nathan had to assume all inside work as well as that
without, also the care of seven small clildren. In the midst
of these hcav}^ demands upon his time and labors, he was
frequcntlv called to assist his neighbors in work they could
not do of themselves. "The old settlers" could not do well
without liim and the next generation was equally dependent
upon him. He was a man of peace and his upright life in-
sured the good will of all his neighbors. His children are
living monuments "seen and read of all men" of the success
with which lie performed tlie ofllce of both father and mother.
Thcv are all with, us to-day, but Asberry, in the enjoyment of
this fTcUul TC union of K)iozi'lcs\ Where everyone can shake
hands to his or her full satisfaction. Yom" speaker never
knew a better man than y a than Knozi'Ies.
b^phraim was the eighth child and seventh son, was born
in Green county, Georgia, October 25, 1797. He was a
bov of fourteen vears when he came with his father to this
state in the f:dl of iSii. He grew to lull six feet in bight,
bein*'- the tallest Knowles in Hoosier land.
Before the surve^'or's marks on the trees were dry Jesse
Kimball, a live and intelligent Yankee fresh from Connecti-
cut, had made his home near what was afterwards called
"Kimball's big spring." He was a man of genius and very
useful in a new countr}'. He cut the first road from the
"Red Banks" to his spring and rolled a set of mill stones
like a cart over it from Kentucky to his place. He made
for himself the first ' fanning mill known in this countr}'.
Unto him was born April 1st, 1S09, a daughter named Cyn-
thia. In her characteristics she displayed much of the Ger-
man mother as well as the Yankee father. On the 20th of
October, 1S25, she married Ephraim Knowles and to them
were born fourteen children, eight daughters and six sons.
One died in infancy. The others were nam.ed William,
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INDIANA STATE LIBRARY
— 29
Mary, Lucintla, James, Elizabeth, Patience, Mahala, Jessie,
Eli (our worthy and noble president before us here) , Lamira,
Cynthia, Franklin and Eliza. Nine of them are now living,
namel}', Lucinda, James, Elizabeth, Jesse, Eli, Patience,
Lamira, Cynthia and Eliza. They are all here to-day to
help increase the numbers, form the guiding power and aid
in giving the finishing touch to this grand reunion of
Knowles'. Ephraim. obtained the east half of his father's
farm, upon which he lived
and died. He added more
to his farm on the north.
Cynthia died October 4,
1865, and to her memory a
sermon was preaclied bv
Rev. Lewis Wilson and ht r
body deposited in the x\nti-
och cemeterv, there to re-
main until the resurrection.
About the year 1857 Eph-
raim fell upon ice and was
so injured that he never
fulh' recovered. Oct. 28,
1866, he was married to
Mrs. Louisa Fairchilds, a
well known and respectable
lady.
Ephraim held to the grand truths of the bible and the
christian religion and said "I have never in a single instance
doubted the truths of the bible or the realities of Christianity."
He believed in the eternal sovereignty of God and his un-
f .
!/?>-;:-
>
y
■-^^iri^:\
. v
^^-=
■*■■;■■" ■ , ' ■ ■ -" ■
i
''\ v..
. 'A
*F. D. S. KXOWLHS.
*F. D. S. Knowles -was born in Gibson countv, Indiana, Julv 13th, 1S42.
He enlisted in Co. E, 24th Ind. Vols., on Julv 6th, 1S61. and "served as a
private in said company until September 30th, "1S62, when he was discharged
bv reason of a wound "received in the battle of Grand Prairie, Arkansas,
July 6th, 1S6::. After returning home he taught in the public schools for a
number of years. October 20th. 1S70. he married Miss Ellen S. Scudder, of
Daviess countv, Indiana. Four children were born unto this union, of whom
two sons, only, are living: Fonuan E. and Lawrence A. The first men-
tioned enlisted in Co. K, ist Reg., I. N. G., when war was declared against
Spain by the United States.
BY
LIBRARY
— 30 —
cliangable purposes and that an upright life is the onl}' evi-
dence of a pure licart. Ephraim was afflicted for along time
and suffered much but his days were numbered and the end
came August 17, 1S82. Ilis funeral discourse was delivered
by Rev. Levin Wilson and his bod}' deposited beside his wife
in the Antioch cemetery. The narrow way which chris-
tians travel is a high way resting upon the strong foimdation
of love. Tlie narrowness of the road makes it a perfect •
guide and insures perfect safety to the traveler.
It was the second da\- of September, 1799, in Green
count\', Cioorgia, that Eli Knowles was born. lie was very
small, Init well proportioned, and was a real beauty. From
childhood lie \\as lond of books and read so as to understand
them. Ilis knowledcre was such that the "settlers" induced
him to teach his prst school in the fall of 1S12, when but a
bo}' of thirteen, in a cabin north of the house where Henry
Knowles lives. Mis next school was two 3'ears later. He
used all the helps within his reach. His motto was "what
otliers have done I can do." By consecutive thinking he
formed a masterl}- mind that gave him superior power as a
logician. I^crh;ips tlie prime reason of his wonderful suc-
cess as a student grew out of the fact that he thoroughly
mastered ever3'thing he undertook. He delighted in the
study of mathematics and philosophy and in them he
excelled. Eli was in a great measure "a self-made man,"
and the more thoroufjh for that because he studied the
collaterals. He taught school for a number of years.
John Scott was born in South Carolina, 1775, and Mar}'-
Dodds was born in the same state in 177S. They married
and lived in Wilson county, Tennessee. From there they
came to Indiana. Elizabeth, one of their daughters, was
born in Tennessee, April 2, 1S03, and was married to Eli
Knowles October 7th, 1S24, Rev. Joseph Wasson officiating.
She died October 22, 1S5S. Eli and wife went to "house-
keeping" in Cynthiana, where he vvas teaching school. He
afterward boug-ht the farm and made it their home, where
their son, F. D. S. Knowles, now lives. Ell for years com-
INDIl
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^A STRTE LIBHARY
— 31
bined teaching and farmiiijT. He never ceased to be a
student. His knowledge of the human system, its needs and
adaptiveness, was good. He made himself acquainted with
the science of medicine. So thorough was he in these things
that his friends entreated him to become "a Doctor." He
did and was successful in his practice. Eli filled official
positions in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, but when
the Indiana Presbytery joined affinity with the demoralizing
institution of slavery, he withdrew from that body. Four ot
the nine chiklred raised by
Eli and Elizabeth are alive
to-day, namely, Arminda,
Nancy, Lydia and F. D. S.
The dead are Mary Jane,
James W., 'Ephraim, Al-
bert and Chark'^s.
Eli did not seem to have
the full enjoyment of life.
He married a^rain, but
youth was gone, old age
was upon him, and a com-
bination of circumstances
with which he was sur-
rounded was calculated to
render him uncomfortable.
What the mind had to do
is not known in bringing
on the lingering and singular disease which terminated
in his death February 15th, 1868, and he was buried
by the side of his Elizabeth, near where his father's
home and his grave were. The following shows the
firmness of purpose of the man : As Eli was return-
ing from meditation and pra3-er he was called by
*ELI W. KXOWLES.
*Eli W. Knowlf.s was born in Gibson county, InJiana. July 23d. 1S44.
Was a member of Compaiiv F, Soth Ind. Infty., durinij the war of the
rebellion of 1S61 to 1S65 Married Fanny Blythe, Sepi ember 13th, iS66_. ^ Is
a deacon in Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Is Republican in politics.
Is engaged in rpcrchandise, and "is postmaster ami railroad agent at Mounts,
Indiana.
COPT MM
IK'DDlrv'il STATj
yV
BY
LIBRARY
— 32 —
one at his side, "Eli Knowlcs." At the second call he
answered and said, "here am I; what is wantedr" The
voice replied, '•'■Eli Knowlcs, you are acting the h3-pocrite
and you know it." Eli turned his face towards the voice
and answered quickly, '■'•yoii arc a liar, sir/' Eli was
troubled no more with that fellow. Surely it is true, "Resist
the Devil and he will ilee from you."
It was the 5th da}' of March, 1S02, that James and Patience
had born unto them their ninth son, and they called him
Asa ; and it was said that his mother so petted and spoiled
him that he passed the point of being humored. He always
had great respect for his parents. In his ^-oung days he was
frequently found with those who, for tlie want of a more
appropriate term, were designated as rowdies, and it will do
the man or name no injustice to state he was a fair practitioner
of rowdyism. Asa, after he had pledged his word to his
l"jtther that he would horse race no more, was sorely tempted,
but the lixed principle of truth triumphed and he kept his
pledge. Asa thought there was a right way of doing a
wrong thing, so \\ hen two men were hghting, a third party,
a large man, showed "foul play." Asa stepped up and
knocked lum down, with the remark, "now, behave your-
self." Asa called upon a man in Kentucky to collect a note
which he held against him. A young lady wisiicd to see it
and as soon as it was in her hands she cast it into the fire.
Asa snatched it out and hurled the ii'nl to the back of the
room, followed b}' impleasant imprecations.
Asa married Walter IMontgomery's amiable daughter,
Matilda. A noble wife she was and a woman above reproach.
!>he did much to soften the impetuous and somewhat rough
wav of Asa, producing in him an easy and pleasant manner
of 1 f^\ But b«'vond a beloved wife came the voice of a d3'ing
mother, "As;i vour mother is going to die and leave 3'ou.
Be a ijfood bov and meet me in heaven." With these came
th'^ fai'lif 1 wa'uings of a ta'her's love. The spirit of God
fastened all these good things upon the niind of Asa and he
became a CJiridian. All his former habits and wrong prac-
im\
camr
^^^aS LIBM.RF
tices were sacrificed for Christ. He put on the new man.
Asa and Matilda raised seven daucfhters, and they were
proud of their girls. The wife and mother was faitliful in
her family and served her generation well and was called to
receive her revvard of eternal life. Four of their daucrhters
o
are alive to-day, namely, Sally, Martha, Elizabeth and
Patience. Those who are dead, America, Nancy, and
Serelda. Asa was not content to live alone so he married
the second woman, Mrs. Susan Warmick, who was Miss
Prown, ;md siie bore him
four children, Jam.es, Clin-
ton, Viola and Enos, all
livincf.
Asa, beinor in his ninety-
liflh year, came all the way
from Kansas alone to be
with you to drink in the
joys and pleasures ot" this
the tirst re u n i o n of
Knowles' in the United
States. His feet press hard
upon the threshold of the
century, his hands reach
forward to take hold of the
knob of the door that opens
into the next. Asa is
realizinjr that the weitjht
of his many years is a burden beneath which he bows
his former strong and stately form. He gives evidence of
being an old man. Asa takes an interest in public aflairs,
both civil and religious. He recently wrote an argument on
baptism which shows the clearness of his perceptions.
During a long life Asa has kept clear of alcoholic poisons.
The nauseous scent of tobacco is not emitted from his
*JAMP:S WILSON.
*James Wilson. — Second child of Joshua and Comfort M. Wilson.
Associate Judge of Gibson county, Indiana, and successful physician. Born
in Green county, Georgia, December 31st. 1S09. Died in Illinois, November
26th, 18S:.
imm^
. — 34 —
person. Of him it can trul}' be said, he shows his faith by
his works.
John Lowery Knowles received his middle name from an
eminent Cumberhmd Presbyterian minister and one of the
founders of that denomination. J. Lowery was the tenth son
of his father and the only one by his second wife and twenty-
one years youni^er than the younLiCst of his nine brothers on
liis fathers side. Lowery was born March i, 1S23, and
married to Miss Pats\% the daughter of William Montgomery
and his wite, Margeret (Stone), November 5, 1S46 Patsy
was b())-n Mnx 4, 1S28. Tier father and mother were of
large and influential families. ]\[r. Montgomer\- represented
Gibson count}' in the legislature, which position he lillcd
with liDuor to himself and satisfaction to the people.
J. Lower}' and Pats}' were the parents of a large famil}'.
There names are here given : Lucinda, Serelda, Isaac
Newton, Calvin, Charitv, Cordelia, Georcre Alvin, William
Ht-nry. Samuel Nathan, lillis, Francis Marion, ^Lartha
Wilmina, James, Cvnthia and Sarah Ellen. There are five
sons and two daugliters living. All have families of their
own and are prosperous and respectable citizens. Three of
those who are dfad left families. Lower}'^ an(a Patsy have
been industiious and their motto lias been "success." They
have made considerable propert}' and have plent}' and more
in their old age.
This, the Knowles' first reunion, is a grand afiair and their
history instead of being compressed into an hour's talk
\yould do credit to a large volume.
I now wish you all long lives, witli plent)^ of the good
things of this world, and that all in whom is found any
Knowles blood, and all others, may be prepared for that
reunion when Christ shall make up his yczvels.
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