BIO: Joseph W. KNOTT, Beaver County, PA
    
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    BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.  This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches 
    of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania.  Buffalo, N.Y., 
    Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 101-105
    _________________________________________________________________ 
    
    JOSEPH W. KNOTT, the secretary and treasurer of the firm of Knott, Harker &
  Co., of Beaver Falls, Pa., has lived a varied, and useful life, every act of
  which has been marked by some innate honesty of purpose, and by such strict
  adherence to the highest principles of probity, that his name is
    
    102  BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
    
  honored and his influence is felt throughout his chosen community. Mr. Knott
  has occupied his present responsible position ever since the organization of
  the firm of Knott, Harker & Co., in 1884. The company was formed for the
  purpose of manufacturing fireplace grates, and hardware novelties, but quite
  recently, extensions have been made, machine shops added, etc., and castings
  of all descriptions are now manufactured. When the plant is running full
  time, about 60 men are employed.
    
    Mr. Knott is also a director in the First National Bank of Beaver Falls and
  takes a fitting and appropriate interest in the progress of the town, being
  classed among its most progressive citizens. The subject of our sketch was
  born near Manchester, England, April 4, 1844, and is a son of Moses and Ann
  (Whitworth) Knott. His parents came to America in 1849, when he was only five
  years old. They crossed the Alleghany Mountains by way of the Ohio Canal and
  the Pittsburg R. R. going first to Lawrence county, and later to Beaver
  county. His father had learned the trade of a cotton spinner while living in
  England, and followed that business in this country for many years. In 1853,
  he located in Fallston, Pa., where he secured a situation in a cotton mill,
  but subsequently went to the town of Brighton, now Beaver Falls. Some time
  after locating at the latter place, he embarked in the grocery business,
  keeping a little store stocked with staple groceries; and at same time
  holding the position of postmaster of Brighton. The office was discontinued
  while he was in charge, under Buchanan's administration, and the place was
  without a postoffice until about the year 1865, when the town took new life
  under the name of Beaver Falls.
    
    Moses Knott was a man of quiet, unassuming manner and gentle disposition.
  He was for many years a member of the Methodist church. His death occurred in
  August, 1894, at the age of eighty-five years. His sterling qualities secured
  for him the esteem and love of a large circle of friends, and made his name
  honored throughout his locality.
    
    Joseph W. Knott was primarily educated in the public schools of New
  Brighton. After leaving school, he accepted a position in a dry goods store
  at that place, where he remained from 1865 to 1870. In 1870 he held a
  position with an iron firm in Sharpsville, Mercer county, after which he was
  employed as bookkeeper and cashier for the Beaver Falls Cutlery Works until
  1884. covering a period of fourteen years. In 1884, he became a member of the
  firm of Knott, Harker & Co., and was chosen secretary and treasurer of the
  same, - his present position, - which he has filled in a highly creditable
  manner, satisfactory to all concerned.
    
    The subject of our sketch chose for his wife and life partner, Martha
  Brierly. Mr. and Mrs. Knott have only one child now living, and that is Lois,
  who is a prominent teacher in the schools of the state of New York, and of
  whom they are exceedingly proud. Mr. Knott is a gentleman who has traveled
  life's road, attending strictly to the matters which
    
    BEAVER COUNTY  105
    
  have confronted him along his path. His experience is filled with a record of
  labors well done. Wherever his duties have led him, all branches of service
  have received his attention, and he has tried to discharge all the
  obligations of his citizenship with a fidelity which has borne to him the
  merited good will of his fellow men.