Hardesty's History of Calhoun County, West Virginia

ABSALOM KNOTTS 

     Absalom Knotts, attorney-at-law and farmer, was born in Harrison 
County, Virginia, December 11, 1830, and was a resident here when 
Calhoun County was organized. Joseph and Mary (Arnold) Knotts, the 
former now deceased, were his parents, and in the county of his 
birth, November 26, 1850, he wedded Prudence Arnold, who was born in 
Harrison County April 7, 1827. She was a daughter of Simon and 
Prudence (Webb) Arnold, and her father is no longer living, his death 
occurring in September 1854. 
     During the war between the States, Absalom Knotts served two and 
one-half years in the Confederate Army as captain of Company E, 14th 
Virginia Cavalry, and was in battle at Winchester, Gettysburg, Brandy 
Station, and in numerous skirmishes. He was taken prisoner in August 
1864, and held until the close of the war. The children of Mr. and 
Mrs. Knotts are six, all living in Calhoun County. They were born: 
Mary, October 28, 1851; Simon A., March 18, 1853; Minnora E., April 
5, 1855; Joseph, September 21, 1856; Louise, April 6, 1858; Edward 
C., May 14, 1860.  
     Absalom Knotts has served one year as constable, as justice of 
the peace about one year, and as presiding justice of the court four 
years. He has been representative to the State Legislature one year 
while Calhoun was represented in the Virginia Assembly, and one year 
at the West Virginia Legislature. For eight years he has been, and 
still is, the postmaster at Minnora, Calhoun County, West Virginia. 

(Linda Fluharty)