“Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County,” published:  
Chicago;  The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892.

GABRIEL A. KNIGHT was born in the county of Bedford, State of 
Tennessee, in 1842, and is a son of Obadiah and Martha Ann (Knight) 
Knight.  The mother was not related to her husband’s family.  Obadiah 
Knight was a native of Virginia, and when a young man removed to 
Tennessee, where he engaged in agriculture, which he pursued until 1846.  
In that year he came to Dallas county, Texas, and settled in Precinct No. 1, 
within four miles of the village.  He purchased 1,000 acres of land, which he 
placed under cultivation, and was the owner of slaves, although he was 
opposed to the principle of bartering in flesh and blood.  He died April 1, 
1868, at the age of sixty years.  Mr. Knight was twice married; there were 
five children of the first marriage, two of whom are living: Mrs. J. J. Millard, 
and Gabriel A., the subject of this notice; those deceased are, William A., 
Dr. John W., and Mrs. Judge Burford.  The second marriage was to Miss 
Hughes, and the children of this union are: Laura, who died in 1870; Mattie 
A., deceased; Sarah Catherine; Margaret B.; William H.; Epps G., whose full 
history will be found on another page of this volume, R. E. L., a lawyer by 
profession; and Archelaus J.; Monroe and Josephine died in childhood.  
From this father sprang a large and influential family.  He was a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church for years, and was identified with the 
Democratic party.  He was one of the most honored and respected of the 
early pioneers, and left behind him a name that will be revered while 
memory lasts.

Gabriel acquired a practical education in the common schools, and in 1861 
enlisted in the First Texas Artillery, serving four years, and participating in 
some of the most noted battles of the conflict.  After the surrender he 
returned to Dallas county.

September 8, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Hannah E. Jenkins, a 
native of Dallas county, and a daughter of William Jenkins, who was the 
first Sheriff of Dallas county.  Nine children were born to them, two of 
whom died in infancy: those living are Alma L., William Burford, Andrew 
G., Mattie, John J., Adaline, and Lucile.  After coming from the war, Mr. 
Knight engaged in farming, and remained on the farm until 1889, and then 
located in the city.  He was elected public weigher for Dallas county, in 
1884, he is a member of the city council, having been elected to the latter 
office in 1891 without opposition; he represents the Third Ward, and is a 
progressive and efficient officer.  He is a member of the Knights of Honor, 
and he and Mrs. Knight belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

Submitted by: Justina Cook