John H. Knight (politician)

John H. Knight (February 3, 1836 – August 22, 1903) was a military officer and politician.

Biography
Knight was born John Henry Knight on February 3, 1836 in Kent County, Delaware. He graduated from Albany Law School. Knight died of cancer on August 22, 1903 at Watertown, Wisconsin and is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison, Wisconsin.

Military career
During the American Civil War, Knight joined the Union Army and was commissioned a captain in the 18th Infantry Regiment. In 1864, he was stationed in Detroit, Michigan as a recruiting officer.

After the conclusion of the war, Knight remained in the United States Army. In 1869, he was assigned to Bayfield, Wisconsin as an Indian agent. Knight resigned his commission the following year with the rank of colonel and later moved to Ashland, Wisconsin, where he worked as an attorney for Wisconsin Central Railroad.

Political career
Knight served two terms as Mayor of Ashland. He was also Chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. In 1863, Knight was a candidate for the United States Senate. He lost to incumbent James Rood Doolittle.