Knight, J. (Jonathan), 1787-1858

Surveyor, engineer, state legislator and U.S. congressman, from East Bethlehem (Washington Co.), Pa.

From the description of Papers, 1826-1858. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 19865949

Jonathan Knight was born in Bucks County, Pa., son of a Quaker weaver. He worked as a surveyor and schoolteacher, and served in the Senate of Pennsylvania (1882-1828). He made preliminary surveys for the Chesapeake and Ohio canal and for the National Road between Cumberland, Md. and Wheeling, Va.; in 1825 he was appointed a commissioner to extend the National Pike (Road) through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. In 1827 he was hired as a surveyor by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, and from 1829 until 1842 he was the company's Chief Civil Engineer. After he left the B. & O. he became a consulting engineer and remained interested in railroad matters and land speculation. He was elected to Congress from Pennsylvania as a Whig and served one term (1855-1857).

From the description of Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1826-1858. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 190846661