Barber County Kansas

The Barber County Index, September 16, 1908.

John Shaw Knowles

John S. Knowles was born in the town of Fayette, Maine, July 27, [1832]. Died at his home in Turkey Creek township, Barber county, Sept. 8, 1908. In 1841 his father's family moved to [Winnebago County] Illinois. In [1857, in Clarence, Green Co., WI] he was married to Miss Susan A. Smith and moved to Kansas. Five children, three sons and two daughters, were born from this union. Mrs. Knowles died Oct. 28, 1905.

Mr. Knowles endured many persecutions by reason of being a free state man, and often with his wife and children slept in the woods. In his every day life he was emphatically a Christian man, although he never united with any church. Christ said: "If you love not your brother whom you have seen, how can you love God, whom you have not seen." Mr. Knowles loved his brother man. He was a peace maker; he often restored harmony in families where there was discord, and comfort where there had been distress. He was hopeful for the future and realizing that his soul was soon to leave his suffering, physical body, he approached it without fear and longed for the hour to come when he should depart.

He has finished his life work, a work well done, and his example may be followed, especially by the young men of this community. Signed: A Friend.


[Note from Ellen Knowles Bisson: My great-grandparents, John and Susan Abagail (Smith) Knowles, are buried in Lake City cemetery.]


Susan (Smith) Knowles, wife of John S. Knowles.

Alzina (Knowles) Harrington Cornish, daughter of J.S. & Susan Knowles.

Frank Storrs Knowles, son of J.S. & Susan Knowles.


Thanks to Ellen (Knowles) Bisson for finding, transcribing and contributing the above article to this web site!



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