J. T. Knott

Last updated

J. T. Knott
Wake County Commissioner
In office
1970–1982
Personal details
Born (1926-04-16) April 16, 1926 (age 98)
Wake County, North Carolina, U.S.
Political party Democrat
SpouseMary Faustine Pair
Children3
Relatives Brad Knott (grandson)
Alma mater Wakelon High School
Occupationpolitician, businessman, soldier, farmer
Military service
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg  United States
Branch/service Flag of the United States.svg United States Army
Years of service1944–1945
Rank Corporal
Commands 94th Infantry Division
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Purple Heart

Joseph Thomas Knott Jr. (born April 16, 1926) is an American politician, farmer, businessman, and retired non-commissioned military officer. He served in the 94th Infantry Division of the United States Army during World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart. A Democrat, Knott served as a member of the Wake County Board of Commissioners from 1970 to 1982.

Contents

Early life and family

Knott was born on April 16, 1926 outside of Zebulon in Wake County, North Carolina. [1] His parents, Joseph Thomas Knott Sr. and Ethel Lenora Robertson Knott, owned a 100-acre farm where they grew tobacco, corn, and wheat. [2] His father served as a member of the Wakelon High School Board. [3] When Knott was a teenager, his family left Zebulon and moved to Knightdale, where they purchased a 400-acre farm along U.S. Highway 64 that was originally owned by his maternal grandparents, George Everette Robertson and Lenora Catherine Weathers Robertson. [1] The family attended Knightdale Baptist Church. [3]

Career

After graduating from Wakelon High School in May of 1944, Knott registered for the United States Army on April 18, 1944. He served as a corporal in the 94th Infantry Division during World War II. [1] He operated a machine gun and was assigned to the front lines as a replacement soldier. [4] He was wounded by the Nazi Army in March 1945 while fighting near the Rhine River and was awarded the Purple Heart. After the war, Knott returned to Knightdale to operate his family's farm and general store. [4] He also owns the Wendell-Knightdale Airport. [5] [6]

A member of the Democratic Party, [6] Knott served as a Wake County Commissioner for 12 years. [2] He was the only commissioner to openly oppose the passage of a school bond proposal. [7] In 1984, he volunteered on the senatorial campaign for Jesse Helms. [8] Knott also served on the advisory council for Knightdale Elementary School and Vaiden Whitley High School. [6]

Personal life

In September 2019, Knott presented a program titled Remembrances of WWII: A Veteran’s Perspective at the Wake Forest Historical Museum for the General James Moore Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution as part of the chapter's celebrations for Constitution Week. [4]

Knott was married to Mary Faustine Pair, who died in 2013. They had three children: Joseph Thomas Knott III, Carolynn Faustine Knott, and Frances Knott. He is the grandfather of U.S. Congressman Brad Knott. [9]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Joe T. Knott Jr. Interview, 2017-06-28 [MilColl OH 1152]". June 28, 2017. Retrieved January 26, 2025– via Internet Archive.[ non-primary source needed ]
  2. 1 2 "Joe T. Knott Jr. Interview, 2017-06-28 [MilColl OH 1152]". North Carolina Digital Collections. June 28, 2017. Retrieved January 26, 2025.[ non-primary source needed ]
  3. 1 2 "Obituary for JOE T KNOTT (Aged 63)". The News and Observer. December 22, 1952. p. 20. Retrieved January 26, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 3 "Daughters of American Revolution holds meeting". The Wake Weekly. September 27, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2025– via Restoration NewsMedia.
  5. ↑ Smith, Joyce P. (1971). "The History of Knightdale" (PDF). Knightdale Historical Society. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 "Knott Expresses Genuine Interest in Government" (PDF). The Carolinian. May 2, 1970. Retrieved January 26, 2025– via DigitalNC.
  7. ↑ "Davids charges Knott with attention to get attention away from issues". The Wake Weekly. April 18, 1974. p. 10. Retrieved January 26, 2025– via DigitalNC.
  8. ↑ Anderson, Bryan (April 3, 2024). "The GOP's Family Feud". The Assembly NC. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  9. ↑ Ponder, Reggie (January 19, 2025). "Knott marks milestone with WWII veteran grandfather". The Butner Creedmoor News. Retrieved January 26, 2025– via Restoration NewsMedia.
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