McKnight and Taylor families papers

Henry C. McKnight was born in 1844 to William and Mary McKnight, the exact date is not known. At the age of 17 Henry McKnight was mustered into Co.E of the 11th Regiment O.V.I. Henry served in Co. E until October 1862 when he was transferred to Co. G. The 11th Regiment was organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio starting in June 1861 and members were to serve for three years, they served in such key battles of the Civil War as Bull Run and Antietam. The 11th Regiment was recognized for being well drilled in military exercises and also for cleanliness.

Henry McKnight was captured at New Middleton, Tennessee, in March 1863. Henry was paroled, exchanged and returned to Co. G in June 1863. Henry was captured again at the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863 and sent to Andersonville Prison where he died on May 2, 1864. Henry McKnight was brother to Joseph McKnight and uncle to Henry Douglas McKnight.

Henry Douglas McKnight was born in Troy, in Miami County Ohio, on July 13, 1884 to Joseph R. and Cora C. McKnight. He moved to Bowling Green Ohio with his parents in the 1890s. Following his High School graduation in 1903 he became an employee of the local electric light company, where he worked his way up from lineman to management.

Douglas married Mildred Taylor on October 25, 1905. The couple had four children: Mary, Harriet, Taylor, and Robert.

In 1934 the General Utilities Company which controlled the Ohio Northern Public Service Company promoted him to local managership of its electric properties throughout a wide area of Northwestern Ohio covering east to Fostoria, south near Lima and north, to Paulding and Defiance Counties. In 1935 Douglas and his family moved to Deshler, Ohio where he died a few weeks later of a heart attack at his home on October 4, 1935.

Mildred Taylor was born in Akron, Ohio to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Moore Taylor in 1885, her family later moved to Bowling Green, Ohio. Her father was an oil producer of the city and served as mayor. Mildred graduated from Central High School (Bowling Green) in 1903, and married Henry Douglas McKnight on October 25, 1905.

The couple had four children: Mary, Harriet, Taylor, and Robert. Mildred's husband H.D. McKnight died on October 4, 1935 at their home in Deshler. Following the death of her husband Mildred McKnight moved back to Bowling Green, Ohio and took up residence at 158 South Church St. Mildred was an active member of the First Methodist Church and was active for many years in its Sunday School Class. On November 4, 1964 Mildred McKnight died in the Wood County Hospital after a month of hospitalization. She is buried at the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Mary McKnight was born October 9, 1909 to Henry Douglas and Mildred McKnight in Bowling Green, Ohio. In May 20, 1929 Mary was sent to the Ohio State Sanatorium in Mount Vernon Ohio due to Tuberculosis, and in January 1930 she was released. Mary graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1933 and began teaching math and English in the White House School District from 1932 until 1942.

For twenty-nine years Mary served as a civilian mathematician in the Department of Navy in Washington D.C. before retiring in 1973, and in 1983 she returned to Bowling Green, Ohio. Mary became active in various organizations: she was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Kings' Daughters, the American Association of University Women, and the Bowling Green State University Alumni Association. She also volunteered with the American Red Cross for many years. On February 9, 1996 Mary McKnight died at the Wood County Hospital and is buried at the Oak Grove Cemetery.