McKnight, John Thomas, J.T.

Born in Wayne, WI. Civil War Veteran served as 2nd Lt. in Co. B 91st Reg. WI Vol. Infantry. Enlisted Aug. 1862, discharged Oct. 1865. Married in Wayne, WI, 5/18/1862.
He came to Butler Co. in 1870 and was in farming for 8 years before moving to Brainard where he opened the Exchange Bank in 1885. A. K. Smith became a partner in the business in 1886 and the bank name was changed to Bank of Brainard. McKnight was president and Smith was the cashier. In 1893 Henry Shultz purchased an interest and was elected VP. In 1902 F. J. Matousek was asst. cashier. Matousek spoke fluent Czech so he was a great asset in the largely Bohemian Community.
McKnight was also in the hardware and real estate business.