ROBERT KNOX, who is prominently identified with the insurance business in the borough of Washington, is a native of the county, having been born in Buffalo township, February 19, 1858. John Knox, his grandfather, came from Ireland to this county about the year 1808, bringing with him his young wife and settled on a farm in Buffalo township, where they both died. Their oldest child was born on the Atlantic ocean while they were on their way to America, and is now living in Texas, at the age of nearly ninety years. The grandmother died some years before the grandfather, who passed away when eighty-four years old. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are living, viz.: William, in Buffalo township; John, in Claysville; Margaret, wife of George Smith, in Buffalo township; Thomas, in Kansas; and Jenny, relict of Dr. Milliken. Robert Knox, Sr., was born in Buffalo township, and for many years was a tailor in Taylorstown. He purchased a farm in the township, which he carried on in connection with his trade. In 1845 he married Anne, daughter of James Irwin, of Canton township, and three children came to bless their home, viz.: John, now in Taylorstown; J. Irwin, living on the old farm; and Robert, our subject. The father was called to his long home in July, 1889, when seventy years of age. He was a stanch Democrat. In religion he was a member of the U. P. Church of North Buffalo. Robert Knox, whose name opens this sketch, received his education at the common schools of his native township, and when a young man taught school during the winter months while he worked on the farm in summer time. For ten years he taught in Chartiers, Canton and Buffalo townships, and four terms in Taylorstown. In April, 1886, he opened a general store, in partnership with his brother John, at Taylorstown, but sold out in March, 1891. In November, 1890, he came to Washington borough, where he has since been successfully engaged in the insurance business. He and his brother, J. Irwin, still retain control of the old farm property in Buffalo township, on which are located twenty-four oil wells. He married, January 17, 1889, Miss Ella B., daughter of James Wilson, of Taylorstown, and two children, named Robert James and Russel W., have come to brighten their home. Politically, Mr. Knox is a Democrat, and has served as assessor of Buffalo township, also as clerk of elections several times. In his religious connections he is a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Washington.

Text taken from page 880 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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