Description

Mary Josephine (McClure) McKnight (b. 1854 – d. 1939) was born near Westport, Missouri in December 1854. She was the daughter of James R. McClure (b. 1828 – d. 1903) and Hester Angeline Pattison (b. 1835 – d. 1879). Her father, a young attorney from Franklin County, Indiana brought his young family (wife and two daughters) to the mouth of Lyons Creek, Kansas. (Information secured from George W. McKnight’s obituary). Handwriting on the back of the photograph indicates that her nickname may have been “Pass” or “Pais.”

Mary married George William McKnight on November 4, 1875 in Junction City, Kansas. Four children are listed in FamilySearch as still living at the time of their father’s death in 1907: James Rankin McKnight (b. 1878); George William McKnight (b. 1881 – d. 1914), Dorothea J. McKnight (b. 1886) and Francis Bellis McKnight (b. 1891 – d. 1966). George McKnight (b. 1843 – d. 1907) was born in the province of Ontario, Canada on October 15, 1848.

The connection to Prescott is that Mary was the sister of Martha Elizabeth "Bettie" (McClure) Trott (PO-0434). Bettie was the sister-in-law of of Josephine "Josie" (McBratney) Trott (PO-0806), who was the sister of Lucie Porter who resided in Prescott.

After crossing into the United States, George met William B. Clarke in Cleveland, Ohio and the two came to Kansas in 1871 where they established a private bank in Abilene. In 1872, Mr. Clarke bought into the First National Bank of Junction City, Kansas and Mr. McKnight became the cashier. Mr. McKnight continued in the banking business with several different banks including 18 years as president of the First National Bank. He was past president of the Kansas Banker’s Association; served Junction City as its mayor, councilman, and school board member; and, from 1901-1905; and represented the 21st senatorial district of Kansas in the state senate. He joined the Masonic order and was a Knight Templar. He was attached to the Protestant Episcopal Church.

Sources: FamilySearch, George W. McKnight’s obituary.