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Note: Church affiliation: First Baptist. ALVAH RUDOLPH KNIGHT
by Fern Trebilcock
Places of residence: Adrian, Rome Center and Tecumseh, Michigan. Alvah was known to his grandchildren as "Poppy". A self-made man, he attended school through the eight grade, but ambition took him far. He was Superintendent of Kewaunee Manufacturing for many years, later buying a veneer factory, which he named Knight Manufacturing Company, which he owned and operated for many years, until his death at age 77. An active person in church and civic organizations, he was president of Kwanis Club and Lenawee County Management Club. He organized the first Cub and Boy Scout troops in Adrian and was the first scoutmaster of his church's troop, a troop still in existence after 55 years. In scouting he received the highest awards, was area president, and received the Silver Beaver Award, highest for a lay person. to honor him, his churchs's troop has an award, "The Alvah Knight Achievement Award" given to scouts who exhibit unusual bravery. He owned at least two Adrian stores and was an active member of the First Baptist Church. In spite of many setbacks his optimism prevailed. In one instance, he bought a house, renovated it, dug a basement, buillt additions of a bathroom and utility room, installed a furnace, kept the house and the yard in A-1 condition, all by hand, and then during the depression lost it, only to be forced to pay rent for a house he had practically built himself, and with no bitterness or camplaints shown. [FOK]
His occupation in on the 1930 Federal Census is pattern maker for a local school furniture company.
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