Benjamin Knight (politician)
Benjamin Knight | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the California Senate from the 6th district | |
| In office January 8, 1883 – January 3, 1887 | |
| Preceded by | William J. Hill |
| Succeeded by | Archibald Yell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 16, 1836 Mansfield, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | June 2, 1905 (aged 68) Santa Cruz, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Santa Cruz Memorial Park, Santa Cruz, California, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Lydia A. Killey |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Harvard Medical School |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit | 1st Massachusetts Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Benjamin Knight Jr. (October 16, 1836 – June 2, 1905)[1] was an American politician and physician in Santa Cruz, California. He served in the California State Senate for the 6th district from 1883 to 1887.[2]
Life and career
Benjamin Knight Jr. was born on October 16, 1836, in Mansfield, Connecticut. He was a descendant of Maturin Murray Ballou, a collaborator of Roger Williams the founder of Rhode Island.[3] His father, Benjamin Knight Sr., was a machinist.[1] He was raised in Rhode Island, and attended Providence Conference Seminary (later East Greenwich Academy) at East Greenwich.[3]
During the American Civil War, he joined Company I, 1st Massachusetts Cavalry Regiment of the Union Army, and served twenty-one months, where he became a corporal.[4][5]
Knight graduated from Harvard Medical School on March 1868.[3] The focus of his study was in female hysteria (now an outdated diagnosis).[1]
On April 4, 1869, he married Lydia A. Killey of Johnston, Rhode Island; together they had four children, three daughters and one son.[3] Shortly after marriage the family moved to Santa Cruz, California, where his father had travelled to during the California gold rush in 1850.[1][3]
For 14 years, Knight worked as the Santa Cruz County physician.[3] He served on the Democratic ticket in the California State Senate from 1883 to 1887.[3]
Death and legacy
Knight died on June 2, 1905, in his home in Santa Cruz, California.[6][7]
His son, Benjamin Killey Knight (1874–1947), served as the Santa Cruz County District Attorney, and later as a Superior Court Judge.[2][7][1] His grandson Benjamin Bliss Knight (1899–1989) also served as Santa Cruz County District Attorney.[2][1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Guide to the Knight Family Collection, [1854-1984] – History". Santa Cruz MAH. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Join California - Benjamin Knight". joincalifornia.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g Harrison, E. S. (Edward Sanford) (1892). "Dr. Benjamin Knight". History of Santa Cruz County, California. San Francisco, California: Pacific Press Pub. Co. p. 325 – via Internet Archive, San Francisco Public Library.
- ^ Vassar, Alexander C. (2011). Legislators of California (PDF). Retrieved November 23, 2016.
- ^ Kingman, Bradford. History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894, Syracuse, New York, D. Mason & Company, Publishers, 1895, page 109.
- ^ "A Good Citizen Has Crossed The Divide". The Pajaronian (Obituary). June 8, 1905. p. 6. Retrieved August 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Dr. Benjamin K. Knight Dies At Santa Cruz". The San Francisco Examiner. June 4, 1905. p. 26. Retrieved August 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.