McKnight, David, III, 1832-1873

Dates:

Birth 1832

Death 1873

Biographical notes:

David McKnight, III (1832-1873) was born in Cotton Grove, TN, and married Elizabeth (Tinie) Tarver of Lowndsboro, AL. The couple had six children – Julia (1858-1860), Mildred (1859-?), Mary Field (died in infancy), Tinie Tarver (1863-?), Charles Fenner (died in infancy), and David IV (1869-1940).

McKnight studied medicine at what is now Tulane University, graduating in 1854. Both his father and brother, John, were doctors as well; the latter having studied in New Orleans but lived in Laredo, TX. By 1859, the McKnight family was living in Seguin, TX, and leading a fairly prosperous life. Tinie McKnight’s sister, Mildred Tarver, married Hamilton P. Bee, part of a wealthy and influential Texas family. Bee and McKnight became friends.

When the Civil War began, McKnight was appointed a major and chief physician under Gen. Van Dorn through the influence of the now Brig. Gen. Bee. McKnight spent the war along the gulf coast near Galveston and Matamoros, Mexico.

After the war, McKnight refused to take the oath of allegiance required by Confederate officers. With little money and no country, the family moved to Mexico, in exile. Here they lived in the Neuvo Leon town of Monterrey, the Coahuila towns of Parras and Saltillo, and also Matamoros, near Brownsville, TX. Dr. McKnight traveled throughout northern Mexico in constant search for patients and money.

He died in 1873 after a buggy accident, but Tinie continued to struggle with the family in Mexico, eventually returning to Seguin. The younger Tinie became a school teacher, and Mildred a nurse.

From the guide to the David McKnight, III, Family Papers 96-193; 96-235., 1857-1935, 1976-1978, 1992-1995, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)

David McKnight, III (1832-1873) was born in Cotton Grove, TN, and married Elizabeth "Tinie" Tarver of Lowndsboro, AL.

The couple had six children - Julia (1858-1860), Mildred (1859-?), Mary Field (died in infancy), Tinie Tarver (1863-?), Charles Fenner (died in infancy), and David IV (1869-1940). McKnight studied medicine at what is now Tulane University, graduating in 1854. By 1859, the McKnight family was living in Seguin, TX, and leading a fairly prosperous life. Tinie McKnight's sister, Mildred Tarver, married Hamilton P. Bee, part of a wealthy and influential Texas family. Bee and McKnight became friends. When the Civil War began, McKnight was appointed a major and chief physician under Gen. Van Dorn through the influence of the now Brig. Gen. Bee. McKnight spent the war along the gulf coast near Galveston and Matamoros, Mexico. After the war, McKnight refused to take the oath of allegiance required by Confederate officers. With little money and no country, the family moved to Mexico, in exile. Here they lived in the Neuvo Leon town of Monterrey, the Coahuila towns of Parras and Saltillo, and also Matamoros, near Brownsville, TX. Dr. McKnight traveled throughout northern Mexico in constant search for patients and money. He died in 1873 after a buggy accident, but Tinie continued to struggle with the family in Mexico, eventually returning to Seguin. The younger Tinie became a school teacher, and Mildred a nurse.

From the description of McKnight, David, III, family papers, 1857-1935, 1976-1978, 1992-1995. (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 314797127