Thomas McKnight (Iowa pioneer)


Thomas McKnight was an American pioneer, businessman, and politician.
Born in Augusta County, Virginia, McKnight was a merchant in Nashville, Tennessee and then in St. Louis, Missouri. While in St. Louis, McKnight was president of a bank and served on the St. Louis City Council in 1822. He then moved to Galena, Illinois, where he was involved in the lead mining industry. McKnight was appointed land receiver for the United States Land Office for the Galena mining district. Eventually, he moved to Dubuque County, Wisconsin Territory. In 1836, McKnight served in the first Wisconsin Territorial Council of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature. He open the first smelt furnace business in Dubuque, Iowa. In 1846, he ran for Governor of Iowa against Ansel Briggs, but lost the election. McKnight died in Dubuque, Iowa.