HERBERT R. KNAUTH

 The following bio was taken from page 275 of the book entitled “Rusk County History” compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

 Transcribed by Shirley Koym

 Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Cemeteries of Texas

   Herbert and Bessie Knauth were transferred from Maud, Oklahoma to the newly discovered East Texas Oilfield in early 1931.  He was a District Foreman for an oil pipeline company.  The first project was to establish a base camp on a site near the Daisy Bradford discovery well.  The Knauth’s moved into one of the camp’s houses in May of 1931, and it was their home until they moved to Overton in 1957.

 The history of the Herbert Knauth Family really begins back in the 1920’s when Herbert was working for the same company that employed Miss Bessie Lewis.  She was a secretary in the Wichita Falls office, while he was a field gauger in Burkburnett, Texas.  He found reasons for telephone calls to the Wichita Office often enough to get interested in meeting Miss Bessie.  They did meet, and this meeting led to a romance that culminated in their marriage on October 8, 1928 in the First Baptist Church in Wichita Falls.

 The couple’s first home was in a company house near Drumright, Oklahoma.  They were soon transferred to a company house near Maud, Oklahoma, where they were living when oil was discovered in East Texas.

 A son, Gregory, was born July 3, 1932; a daughter, Eleanor, was born January 21, 1934.  They grew up in the Joinerville Community and graduated from Gaston High School.  Gregory graduated from Rice University, served two years in the Navy, then graduated from the University of Texas Law School, and now is a partner in a law firm and abstract firm in Rosenberg, Texas.  He married Miss Ann Orts, and they have three daughters.  Jennifer attends Rice University; Claire is a senior and Alix is a sophomore in the Rosenberg High School.

 Eleanor attended nursing school at Memorial Hospital, University of Houston, and graduated as a Registered Nurse.  She later enrolled in the Baylor Hospital Anesthesia School and graduated as Nurse Anesthetist.  She married Clarence Morgan, and they have a son, Stephen, who attends grade school in Longview.  Mr. Morgan owns and operates a garden tractor store and the family lives in their beautiful home in Longview.  Eleanor is one of the anesthetists at Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview.

 The Knauth’s were active in Joinerville church and community affairs.  As members of the Mount Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church, they enjoyed many happy and rewarding friendships.  Mrs. Knauth participated in Missionary Society, scouting and study club activities.  Mr. Knauth was active in American Legion, Masonic Lodge, scouting, and community affairs.  He was chairman of the Rusk County Selective Service Board for many years, and was also a member of the Kilgore College Board of Directors.  He is presently manager of the Overton Chamber of Commerce.

 The Knauth story would not be complete if it did not include something about how much we Knauth’s like living in Rusk County.  Herbert was raised in Wichita County; therefore he knew nothing about tall trees, running creeks, and lakes.  Bessie was raised in Louisiana, so it was liking returning home for her when we moved into Rusk County.  The climate agrees with us, and the people are so kind and friendly.  We just appreciate East Texas so much that we cannot imagine being happier anywhere else. 

 Submitted by Bessie Knauth