Published in the Pilot November 17, 1926

Saturday, November 13th, Robert, died at his home in the east part of town. Mr. Knott was 76 years old last July and had been poorly for some time but had not been confined to his bed until about three weeks ago. Since that time although he was unable to leave his bed, he was not seriously ill nor suffering pain until a few days prior to his death. He had been a resident of Herman nearly half a century and had made many friends. He was a good citizen and a kind neighbor to all. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife, three daughters and four sons, Joseph Knott, of David City, Nebr.; Mrs. Ben Alsup and Mrs. Myrtle Fisk and Miss Margaret, all of Bend, Oregon; Roy, of Herman; and Floyd and Irvin, of Omaha. The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Baptist Church, Rev. T. J. Reese officiating.

Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Blair Public Library.

From FindaGrave Memorial # 171500224

Robert Bruce Knott was married to Emily Jane (Thompson) on February 2, 1877.

Robert and Emily were both born in Indiana, and moved to Herman, Nebraska in 1883, and settled there permanently. In 1880, however, Robert and Emily were living in Northwest, Orange County, Indiana. Robert was a laborer, and Emily, her mother, and her sister kept house. Robert and Emily had a 3-year old son, born in Indiana.

The 1880 US Census lists: Robert and Emily were blessed with nine children. All the children living with them in 1910 had been born in Nebraska. He was a veteran, and while there is no name or dates on his marker, there is a veteran's marker, and Emily was part of the American Legion Auxiliary.

The 1910 US Census shows the Knotts living in Herman, Nebraska, at Pathside, 7th St., in a home they owned. The 1910 Census was the one where women were asked how many children they had, and how many still living. Emily sadly answered that only 7 of their 9 children were still living: Robert B., 59, head, contractor, concrete work; Emily J., 49, wife; Roy M., 22, son, salesman, lumber yard; Myrtle M., 20, daughter (she later married a Mr. Flake, and moved to Tacoma, Washington); Floyd H., 14, son; Irvin C., 10, son.

By 1920, Robert was no longer working outside the home. He and Emily were still living in the town of Herman, Nebraska, but in 1920 he may have told the census taker that he was born in Kentucky, and that his wife was born in South Carolina (her obituary says she was born in Huron, Indiana, and all the other census records list her birth as being in Indiana). The 1920 US Census lists:

Robert 79, head; Emily 63, wife; Floyd H. 23 son, clerk drug store; Irvin C. 20 son, day laborer for others.

Robert Bruce Knott died in 1926. His wife continued to be active in the Herman Methodist Church, and in the American Legion Auxiliary. His own grave, though the name and dates are illegible, does have a veteran's marker.

~~~Sources: Herman cemetery records; wife's obituary; National Archives~~~

Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Blair Public Library.