As one of the earlier settlers of Marysville, and as a citizen of great prominence, influence and popularity, it is eminently fitting that a brief sketch of the life of David E. Knight should be given in a work of this kind. He was born October 24, 1825, in Tunbridge. Vermont, and died at his home in Marysville, California. January 5, 1900.

Going with his parents to Piermont. N.H. when a child, David E. Knight was there brought up and educated. Subsequently removing to Boston, he learned the shoemaker trade, but on account of ill health was advised by his physician to seek a milder climate, and went to New Orleans. Returning to the North, he lived for a time in Boston, and then started for the Pacific coast, coming to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama in 1852.

After working at the plumbing trade in San Francisco for a few months he settled in Sacramento, where he established a gas plant, which he operated three years. Selling out in 1856, he took up residence in Marysville, and from that time until his death was actively identified with the best and highest interests of the place, being one of the foremost to promote and advance its industrial prosperity and growth. On locating here he built the gas plant at the corner of Second and B streets, operating until his death. He was subsequently identified with the establishment of various beneficial enterprises, including the Marysville Electric Company; the Empire Foundry and Harvester Works; the Marysville and Yuba City Street Railroad Company; the Marysville Steam Laundry; the Democrat Publishing Company; the Marysville Woolen Mill, of which he was manager for more than 30 years; and the Decker and Jewett City Bank, of which he was one of the directorate for a number of years.

He also built and operated a line of steamboats between Marysville and San Francisco, making a trip once each week regularly. He was everywhere recognized as a man of exceptional business judgment and ability, and was universally honored and esteemed for his manly integrity and sterling virtues. He was noted for his character and philanthropy and his great generosity to the poor and needy, who ever found in him a friend and helper.

Mr. Knight married, in Boston, Massachusetts, Miss Mary A. Hobert. Mr. Knight was a Republican in politics, and for two terms served as a member of the City Council. He was a delegate to the national convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln, and with one exception was a delegate to each convention until his death from that time. For several terms he was one of the directors of the State Agricultural Society, and also served as president of the Pacific Coast Trotting Horse Breeders’ Association. He was active in social circles, being for years an influential member of the Union League Club of San Francisco, and was prominent in fraternal organizations...

The name of David E. Knight swells the roll call of men who build for all time, and whose interests are of such practical and essential nature that their successors must follow closely in their footsteps or lag behind in the march of progress and civilization. The super-structure of his life was founded upon the resources of a great new state, and upon universal principles of toleration, and humanity which man, from the age of civilization, has cherished as his highest ideals. He was a devoted friend of education, encouraging a high standard and personally interesting himself in maintaining them. It has been said of him that no appeal for assistance in behalf of a worthy public enterprise, or whatever nature, was ever made to him in vain. He was a man of great generosity of heart, contributing liberally and cheerfully of his means toward the relief of suffering wherever he beheld it. He was widely known as a man of unimpeachable integrity, and all his transaction in business were free from that narrow and selfish spirit so characteristic of the modern commercial world. His deeds of kindness were invariably performed in as unostentatious as manner as possible, and knowledge of them never reached others through him. The Sacramento valley has had few men like him, from whatever point of view his career be regarded, and there are still living many citizens of discriminating judgment who express the opinion that during his lifetime he was unquestionably the first citizen of Yuba County. The record of his well spent and noble life is one to which his beneficiaries should revert with feelings of great pride, conscious of the knowledge that he is entitled to a conspicuous place in the historical literature of the state of California, in whose early development he took an active and important part.

History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, California (pp. 1584, 1587).

A Timeline of David E. Knight's Happenings, according to local records and documents:

1852

Sailed April 5, 1852 steamship Northern Light from New York to San Juan; passengers include D.E. Knight.
New York Times, April 6, 1852

Steamship Pacific arrives May 13, 1852 in San Francisco; passengers include D.E. Knight.
Alta California, May 14, 1852

1863

NEW ASSAYING FIRM. NEW ASSAYING FIRM. NEW ASSAYING FIRM.

D.E. Knight and D. Marchand have opened an assay office in the room formerly occupied by H. Harris & Co. They are both practical men and will conduct their business in a proper manner. Mr. Knight has made assays from nearly every silver lode in the Humboldt County and copper lode in Yuba and Nevada counties, and he is supposed to be thoroughly posted with regard to them.
Marysville Appeal, June 2, 1863

KNIGHT & CO., ASSAYERS OF GOLD, SILVER, and ALL KINDS OF ORES, No. 27 E Street, Marysville.

Ores of every description carefully Assayed, and Returns made in from 6 to 12 hours. Having Purchased the old stand of H. Harris & Co. in this city, and engaged the services of a competent Assayer, we are now prepared to conduct the business of Assaying in all its branches, with care and dispatch, and hope to receive, as we shall certainly endeavor to deserve, a fair share of public patronage. Assays Guaranteed.
Marysville Appeal, June 4, 1863

1864

Removal Notice. The Assay Office Of KNIGHT & CO. Has Been Removed From E Street To No. 32 D Street, Between First and Second, Marysville.
Daily California Express, November 28, 1864

1866

Dissolution. The Co-Partnership Heretofore Existing between D.E. Knight and D.C. Marchand, under the firm of Knight & Co., assayers, is this day dissolved by mutual consent. All outstanding accounts of the late firm will be settled by D.E. Knight.

The Assay business will continue to be carried on in all its branches, at the old stand, No. 32 D Street, Marysville, and under the firm name of Knight & Co., as heretofore.
Marysville Daily Appeal, February 11, 1866

1867-1868

D.E. Knight. Assayer. 32 D Marysville.
Langley’s Pacific Coast Directory for 1867

1870

FRANK W.H. AARON (Successor to Knight & Co.). Assayer Of Gold, Silver And Ores No. 32 D Street, Marysville.
Marysville Daily Appeal, April 15, 1870

1875

Knight & Co. Assayers 40 D Street, Marysville.
The California State Business Directory, (August, 1875)

1900

...he caught the gold fever and came to this State, arriving in the Spring of 1852. His estate is estimated at $200,000.
Sacramento Bee, January 6, 1900

David E. Knight came in 1852 from Boston to San Francisco, where he established a manufactory, and two years later, when the San Francisco Gas Works had been completed, he went into the gas fixture and fitting business. In 1860 he established an assaying plant in Marysville under the name of Knight & Co., handling large quantities of gold for several years, or until the railroad was started and the mineral was carried to San Francisco. In this same year he established the Marysville Woolen Mills...In January 1887, he introduced the arc-light electric system into Marysville. In 1889 he built a well-equipped street-car line from Marysville to Yuba City. Mr. Knight was born in Vermont and was 73 years of age.
San Francisco Chronicle, January 6, 1900