Knowles, Alfred

10 Dec. 1809–9 July 1886. Sailor, schoolteacher, merchant, farmer, court clerk, probate judge, politician. Born in Hampden, Hancock Co., Maine. Son of Amasa Knowles and Mercy (Marcy) Simpson. Married first Arletta Whitney, 10 Apr. 1833, in Monroe, Waldo Co., Maine. Migrated to Illinois and settled in Warren Co., 1836. Served as clerk of county commissioner’s court in Henderson Co., Illinois, 1841–1847. Wife died, 1845. Married second Catherine Smalley, 5 Jan. 1846, at Monmouth, Warren Co. Served as trustee for Lombard University in Galesburg, Knox Co., Illinois, beginning 1851. Moved to Galesburg, 1858. Elected mayor of Galesburg, 1861. Delegate for Knox Co. at Illinois state and congressional conventions, 1868. Died in Galesburg.