John Knight (judge)

Born on April 29, 1871, in Arcade, New York, Knight received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1893 from the University of Rochester and read law in 1896. He was the town clerk for Arcade from 1892 to 1896. He was in private practice in Arcade from 1896 to 1900. He was a Referee in Bankruptcy for the Western District of New York from 1899 to 1904. He was the district attorney for Wyoming County, New York from 1904 to 1913. He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1913 to 1917. He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1917 to 1931, serving as President Pro Tem from 1924 to 1931.[1]

Knight received a recess appointment from President Herbert Hoover on March 18, 1931, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of New York vacated by Judge John R. Hazel.[2] He was nominated to the same position by President Hoover on December 15, 1931. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 6, 1932, and received his commission on January 9, 1932. He served as Chief Judge from 1948 to 1955. His service terminated on June 15, 1955, due to his death.[1]

• John Knight at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
• Appointed to federal bench, in New York Times on March 31, 1931 (subscription required)
• Obit in New York Times on June 16, 1955 (subscription required)
• Fenner-Broughton Family History: The Family of James Elory Fenner, 1844-1912, and Hester Adamantha (Broughton) Fenner, 1847-1922, of Crawford County, Pennsylvania by Jim Fenner (Closson Press, 1995)