H. F. Knight

Payette Enterprise
Thursday, April 07, 1932

FATHER KNIGHT GOES TO HIS REWARD

Rev. H. F. Knight died at his home in New Plymouth yesterday, Wednesday, morning. He, with his son and his son's wife, were working on his lawn when, it appears, the great Master Workman commanded and the wheels of life suddenly stood still.

H. F. Knight was born at Sheboyan, Wisconsin, in 1850, and lived more than the alloted "three score years and ten," reaching the age of more than eighty-two years.

From his birthplace he enlisted with the 39th Wisconsin Infantry at the age of fourteen years. Two months after his enlistment he found himself on picket duty with the army holding territory with Gen. Sherman on the way to Atlanta, and was there captured by the enemy and was confined eight months in a rebel prison. He was exchanged not long before the close of the war. As evidence of the treatment received while confined in prison it is to be noted that he lost forty pounds in weight during the eight months so confined.

He was married to Miss Nettie Fen at Appleton, Wisconsin, in 1869. Rev. Knight began his work as a minister of the gospel at the age of twenty years. He came to New Plymouth in the year 1910 and served as pastor of the Congregational church until his sight was so dimmed that he could no longer read without great effort. His faithful companion died at New Plymouth in 1928. He is survived by six sons and one daughter. E. P. Knight of Payette, Idaho; Rev. C. M. Knight, Whittier, California; Rev. R. G. Knight, Nampa, Idaho; E. G. Knight, Clear Lake, S. Dak.; Judge W. W. Knight, Brookings, S. Dak.; C. R. Knight, New Plymouth, Idaho; and daughter, Mrs. J. H. Breckhalter, Clifton, Colorado, and fifty grand and great grandchildren.

Funeral will be held at New Plymouth Sunday at 3 p.m.

Such is the short history as we have it at this time.

We attempt at this time no eulogy of the life and character of "Father Knight." His eulogy is in the innermost heart of the people with whom he lived, and loved and served.

For many years to come we will be talking about and children will be hearing about "Father Knight," who used to live in New Plymouth. In later years we have loved to refer to him in the more endearing term of "Father Knight." He was, indeed, in the large sense, Father to us all. There was no service too humble for him to perform for a human in need of service. There was no service too exalted if within the possible reach of his ability.

Measured in money he leaves little wealth. Measured in service to his kind he leaves wealth of kindly deeds and ministrations that millions could not buy. He was rich in the things of the spirit that live and endure. He was a manly man. He lived above petty bickerings and squabbles; he lived, he thought of his calling as something far above and beyond fine spun theological theories.

"Unskillful he to fawn, or seek for power,
By doctrine fashn'd to the varying hour."
"Father Knight" will be sorely missed.
"As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form,
Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm.
Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread.
Eternal sunshine settles on its head."
His life was a benediction to all who knew him.

Payette Independent (Thursday, April 07, 1932)

Civil War Veteran Passes Suddenly At New Plymouth

NEW PLYMOUTH - Rev. H. F. Knight, Civil War Veteran, passed away suddenly Wednesday morning about 8:30 o'clock. Rev. Knight had been in quite good health and was out early Wednesday morning, making a trip to town and back. He was picking up sticks on the lawn when he suddenly dropped to the ground. Death was almost immediate.

Rev. Knight was one of the most interesting men in Idaho. Born in 1850, March 19 in Gibbsville, Wis., he was the eighth child in a family of twelve. Henry Knight and three of his brothers enlisted in the Civil War. Mr. Knight was only fourteen when he enlisted in a company of the 39th Wisconsin infantry. He enlisted in May and while on picket duty August 21, was taken prisoner and sent to Castle Morgan prison near Memphis, Tenn. Here he suffered untold hardships for eight months. He was discharged from the army, May 9, 1865.

Following his schooling, Mr. Knight went into the woods of northern Wisconsin where he taught and preached. Later he preached in S. Dakota and Colorado, coming to Idaho for his health in 1911. He was called to the pastorate of the Congregational church in New Plymouth in July of that year, serving for six months until his eye sight failed. Since this time, Rev. Knight has remained an active part of the community. No gathering seemed complete without him. He was a member of the G.A.R., being sent as state delegate to the National convention in 1928 and 1931 and had planned to attend again this summer.

Mrs. Knight passed away 4 years ago in January. He is survived by 7 children; Bruce of Payette, Rev. C. M. of Whittier Calif., Elmer of Clear Lake South Dakota; Rev. Lloyd of New Plymouth, Mrs. Joy Burckhalte of Clifton Colorado, Judge Wiley of Brooking South Dakota and Clare of New Plymouth. Thirty-two grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.