Caleb McKNIGHT, a prominent citizen and farmer of the Sixth District of Chester County, was born in Wilson County, Tenn., in 1820, and is one of a family of nine children, three of whom are living. His parents, William and Rhoda (Kissee) McKNIGHT, are both natives of South Carolina. The father was born in September, 1773; was married in his native State and came to Wilson County. Tenn., a few years afterward, where he remained until 1823. He then moved to Madison County. He was a tiller of the soil and died in 1857. The mother was born in March, 1774, and died in 1854.
Our subject received his education in the district schools near home, and December 29,1839, he married Elizabeth HARDAGE, a native of Middle Tennessee, born in 1818, and the daughter of Zachariah and Margaret HARDAGE, early settlers of Madison County. Seven children were the result of our subject’s marriage, all of whom are deceased. In 1839 Mr. McKNIGHT located where be now resides. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Masonic fraternity. He and Mrs. McKNIGHT are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-first Tennessee Infantry, and was captain of the same, the colonel being R. H. BRADFORD. He remained out some time and was obliged to return home on account of ill health.
Transcribed by David Donahue