Frederick Knight was born on 1st February 1837 in Birmingham. He was the son of Frederick Knight and Eliza Yates.
The 1861 census shows Frederick working as a Commercial Clerk and still living with his parents in Aston. But 1862 was to prove a pivotal year for him. This was the year that, together with Thomas Bird Smith and John Benjamin Stone, he laid the ground for the establishment of a paper manufacturing business in Landor Street, Birmingham. It was officially launched the following year, 1863. The paper making company, called Messrs. Smith, Stone and Knight (SSK) Ltd., became one of the largest producers of brown and bag papers in the country. Thomas Smith was the only one of the three with experience in the paper making industry, but all three were astute businessmen. The SSK company celebrated its 150th anniversary in June 2012.
As well as business partners, the three men were related through marriage. John Stone was to marry Jane Parker and Thomas Smith married Jane’s sister Ann Parker. In December of 1868 Frederick married Clara Louisa Stone, the sister of John. The couple had four daughters, Clara Millicent b. 1869, Beatrice Katherine b.1871, Linda Margarita b. 1872 and Frederica Louisa b. 1875. Sadly Frederica died at only a few months of age. They set up home in Whateley Hall, Castle Bromwich, the second largest house in the village.
Frederick was a shrewd investor and spread his investments far and wide. In June 1904 Doxford & Sons, shipbuilders of Sunderland, launched their 100th turret steamer. It was named ‘Whateley Hall’ & the ceremony was performed by one of Frederick’s daughters as an acknowledgement of Frederick’s financial support of the company.
Frederick died at home on June 17th 1919.
Mr Frederick Knight, the surviving member of the original partners of the firm Smith, Stone and Knight, and for many years the director of the company after its incorporation, died at his residence, Whateley Hall, Castle Bromwich, on June 17th (1919), at the age of 82.
Mr Knight, who started business in 1862 with Mr T B Smith and Mr J B Stone (afterwards Sir Benjamin Stone, MP) lived to see remarkable progress in the firm he had assisted to found, the turnover having increased over the 57 years he was connected with the business over a hundredfold.
Mr Knight, who was of a very genial temperament, was well known to the older generations of paper makers. He took an active part in the management of Smith, Stone and Knight Ltd until about twelve years ago, when he retired from the Board in favour of his son-in-law, Mr Howard S Wynn, of Edgbaston.
He leaves a widow and three daughters besides a large number of friends to mourn his loss, and was greatly respected by the employees of the firm, many of whom had been associated with him for a great number of years.
Mr Knight was a great traveller, and was well known in commercial circles in Japan and China, and although he took no active part in politics he took an enthusiastic interest in the development of British interests abroad.
He was Lord of the Manor at Rowington in Warwickshire, and showed great interest in that district.
Probate was granted in Birmingham on November 21st to widow Clara, daughter Clara Millicent, son-in-law Howard Seymour Wynn, manufacturer, & nephew Oscar Harold Stone, paper manufacturer. Frederick’s substantial effects amounted to £179,010.14s.4d.
