Benjamin Knight Correspondence

Collection — sc_box: MS 1, Folder: 11

Identifier: MS-165

Staff Only

Collection Scope and Content Summary

Correspondence, 1873-1874, from Benjamin Knight, a miner in Calumet, Michigan to his brother John Knight, a blacksmith in Wisconsin. Includes some details on their relatives and friends in Cornwall, England as well as the lack of trustworthy banks in Calumet and the lack of clothing stores. Also contains clipping of Benjamin Knight's obituary.

Dates

1873-1874

Access

Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Biography

Benjamin Knight was born in Cornwall, England where, with his father and brothers, he was a miner. At the age of 21, he and his brother Joe came to the United States and went to Wisconsin where their brother John was a blacksmith. Benjamin and Joe learned the trade and set up business in Woonsocket, Wisconsin, continuing to work together until 1923 when Joe died. Benjamin continued working until 1938 when he retired. In 1873, Benjamin was in Calumet, Michigan working as a miner.