McKnight Family, ca. 1900s

Shown are (front rom left) James Stephens McKnight, Dr. William Burney McKnight, Sallie Hodges McKnight; (back from left) Dorothy McKnight Warner, William Hodges McKnight and Kate McKnight Latimore in the early 1900s.

Dr. William Burney McKnight served as Mansfield's physician from 1895-1935, attending calls on horseback until he purchased the first horse-less carriage in Mansfield. He also had the first telephone in Mansfield, his telephone number was 1. The family lived in the beautiful home that is now Blessing Funeral Home, 401 Elm St., where they raised their five children. Their oldest child Mary died in infancy after contracting diphtheria. Their son William Hodges McKnight also became a physician, serving as medical director for American Airlines. Their son James Stephen McKnight acquired ownership of the McKnight Building, 102 N. Main St. for his insurance office. In his will, he deeded the building to the City of Mansfield with the stipulation that the Mansfield Historical Society be given the use for 99 years. He also gave the city the park that bears his name.

To learn more about Mansfield history, check out the Mansfield Historical Museum, 102 N. Main St., open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free. For more info, call 817-473-4250, emailmuseum@mansfieldtexas.gov or go to mansfieldhistory.org.

Photo courtesy of the Mansfield Historical Society.