The career of the subject of this sketch entitles him to a prominent place in the history of Scott County's most prominent citizens, for he has, by his indefatigable efforts and strict attention to his chosen profession, made for himself an enviable reputation. He enjoys the distinction of being one of the leading physicians of the County. John Knox was born in the Village of Princeton, September 30, 1852, and was the first white child born in that town. He is a son of Dr. Samuel and Mary (Culbertson) Knox. His primary education was obtained in the public schools of Princeton, and he then took a course at an academy, where he was fitted for college. When eighteen years old he entered the Monmouth (Illinois) College and remained at that institution two years.
For generations back representatives of the Knox family have been leading members of the medical profession, and at an early age John showed a fondness for medical studies. His father, who had a well selected medical library, was only too happy to foster his son's inclination, and he began reading medicine under his preceptorship. In 1873 he went to Philadelphia, and a little later entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania , where he took a three years' course of study, graduating from that institution March 12, 1877. He was elected, after passing a rigid competitive examination, resident physician in the Philadelphia Hospital and served in that capacity one year. He then returned to Iowa and began the practice of his profession at his old home. His practice has since increased year after year and his success as a practitioner has been all that he could desire. Mention has been made of the fact that some of the ancestors of Dr. Knox have been distinguished physicians. It will be of interest to note also in this connection, that a rare collection of medical books has descended to him from his great-grandfather. This library was published in London during the early part of the eighteenth century. The volumes are bound in full leather, and the composition differs very materially from that of standard works of later days. The doctor owns a very extensive medical library, but these volumes are prized more highly than other books, on account of the historic associations.
Dr. Knox, like his father, has taken a great deal of interest in the welfare of his native town and its people. A man of exceptionally sound judgment, he has been chosen to fill many places of prominence and trust in the city's government. He has held the office of mayor seven or eight terms and is the present incumbent. Much credit is due him for many needed street and other improvements, and his liberal donations to charitable enterprises have caused him to be regarded as a public benefactor. He has interested himself in the advancement of educational movements in general, and has sought especially to promote higher education of members of the medical profession. He is a member of the Scott County Medical Society, of the Iowa State Medical Society and of the American Medical Association.
When Dr. Knox's father, Dr. Samuel Knox, first settled in Scott County, he purchased eight hundred acres of land at what was known as Pinnacle Point, a landing for rivermen. Together with a few other settlers, he platted a town, and a greater part of the present site was called Elizabeth City in honor of the wife of Dr. Knox. For some time it went by that name and was then merged into the town of Princeton. Shortly after he located there, Dr. Knox, in company with Dr. Thomas Galt of Rock Island, became interested in the Sterling & Rock Island Railway. This venture proved disastrous to them financially, and the doctor lost over five thousand dollars, which was a fortune in those days. Undaunted by this misfortune, he organized a mill company and erected a grist-mill on First Street, which was the only mill of any size in the vicinity. In 1860 it was destroyed by fire, and there being no insurance on the plant, the loss to him was very heavy.
Along in the "fifties” Colonel Breckenridge, a relative of Dr. Knox, became in a way associated with the latter and they surveyed a line from the “Wapsi” with the intention of obtaining water power in Princeton, and it was found that a fall of twenty-two feet could be had, but from some cause the matter dropped and ground for the proposed canal was never broken.
The elder Dr. Knox was a very liberal spirited man, and one of his benevolent acts was the purchase of five acres of land near the village, which was platted for the cemetery now known as Oak Ridge Cemetery. Ile was also the prime mover in building the first Presbyterian church in Princeton, having donated the land and made other substantial donations for the building. Ile and his wife were charter members of the church. He was also one of the men who contributed largely to the erection of the first school building in Princeton.
In 1855 he laid out and platted an addition to Princeton, known as tbe “Knox Addition,” and he was always an active supporter of public enterprises designed to promote the best interests of his adopted town. In 1851 Dr. Knox was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Culbertson, daughter of Captain John Culbertson of Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Her family are very wealthy and influential people of the Keystone State. Of this union sis children were born, four of whom are living: John, James (deceased), Mary E., who married Elmer Meadley; Helen (deceased) Samuel, single; Charles M.c., who married Miss Rosa M. Evans, daughter of David Evans, a pioneer settler of Scott County.
In political matters Dr. Knox was first an old-line Whig, but when tbe Republican party was organized he joined it, and during the remainder of his life he was an ardent supporter of its principles. He died in Waukesha, Wisconsin, July 17, 1887, very suddenly, while spending a few days there in the hope of improving his health. By his death Scott County lost one of its most prominent and respected citizens as well as a leading member of the medical profession.
BIOGRAPHIES