A native of Pennsylvania who came to Humboldt County in 1854 when he was 19 years old. A rich man's son with a good education, he spent the summer trading with the Dakota Indians at McKnight's Point in Wacousta Township. He bought the land and revisited it from time to time. In September of 1854, McKnight greeted Charles Bergk, Christian Hackman, and August Zahlten in Dakota. They each made claims on parts of Section 6, Dakota Township. However it was traded, and McKnight ended up with the town site. Not wanting to live in a cave, McKnight built a cabin in section 24 Corinth Township with Newton Dowling. He lived there until the severe cold weather set in, then moved to Ft. Dodge. He returned to Dakota in the spring. McKnight could not file the plat with Humboldt County in 1855 as Humboldt County did not exist then. He waited until 1858, after the county was organized. Mr. McKnight represented Humboldt county in the Tenth General Assembly.