William Knight (Wisconsin politician)

William Knight
Born	Kent County, Delaware, U.S.
Died	January 13, 1941(1941-01-13) (aged 97) Dousman, Wisconsin, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, politician
Years active	1860s–1930s
Known for	Business ventures in merchandising, lumber, banking, real estate, orchard cultivation; member of the Wisconsin State Assembly

William Knight (December 7, 1843 – January 13, 1941) was an entrepreneur based in Bayfield, Wisconsin, whose professional pursuits included merchandising, lumber operations, banking, real estate ventures, and orchard cultivation. He also held a single term as a Republican representative in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Background and early years

Knight was born on December 7, 1843, on a farm located in Kent County, Delaware, near Dover. His education began in local public schools until the age of twelve, after which he attended academies in both Camden and Dover. He then completed two years of study at the Hudson River Institute situated in Claverack, New York.

Following his formal education, Knight took a position as a clerk within a U.S. government office responsible for mustering and disbursement in Detroit. In 1867, he relocated first to St. Louis and subsequently to Wyoming, where he engaged in mercantile activities. By 1869, Knight established himself in Bayfield (aside from a one-year period spent in Ashland), concentrating on banking and the lumber industry. Around 1910, his focus transitioned toward real estate transactions and the establishment of fruit orchards.

Public office

Knight contributed to his community by serving on both the town board and the county board of supervisors. In 1896, he was appointed county clerk and treasurer for Bayfield County, Wisconsin. His political career advanced in 1910 when he was elected as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly for the district encompassing Bayfield, Sawyer, and Washburn counties. Running on the Republican ticket, he secured victory with 2,558 votes compared to Social Democrat H. Johnson’s 355. During his legislative term, Knight was assigned to the standing committee on banks as well as the joint committee on finance.

After the redistricting in 1911 that split his Assembly district, Knight opted not to run for re-election. The newly formed Bayfield district elected Progressive Republican Hubert Peavey as its representative.

Orchardist

As an active participant in the Bayfield Peninsula Horticultural Society and a lifelong member of the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society, Knight was deeply invested in promoting orchard fruit cultivation within Bayfield County’s so-called "Fruit District." Although he referred to himself modestly as "a layman in this business," his efforts earned him recognition from the Wisconsin Horticultural Society with an honor bestowed in 1930.

Knight passed away on January 13, 1941, in Dousman, Wisconsin.