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William J. Knight
Dubuque County
Born in Kilkenny, Ireland, March 3, 1838. He received his early instruction and education under a private tutor and later entered Kilkenny College, in his native city. As a mere youth his remarkable aptitude in his studies attracted attention. When fourteen years of age he came to American with his parents and settled in Dubuque. In 1855 he became a student in the office Jeffry Griffith, where he was most successful in his studies and in 1857, when only nineteen years old, he was admitted to the bar. In 1869, he was elected mayor of Dubuque, and again in 1878 he was to the same office. In 1880, he was elected a member of the legislature and in 1885 elected, state senator. He also served as a member of the board of education for several years. For forty-years he held the important position of district attorney for the Illinois Central railroad. He was also legal adviser for the monks of Melleray abbey and for the Sisters of Charity. In religion Mr. Knight was a Catholic and for many years was a member of St. Patrick's parish.
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