Walter Marvin Knott (1889 - 1981)

Born 11 Dec 1889 in San Bernardino County, California, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Cordelia L (Hornaday) Knott — married 3 Jun 1911 in Los Angeles, California, United States

Descendants

Died 3 Dec 1981 at age 91 in Buena Park, Orange County, California, United States

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Biography

Walter Knott is Notable.

Walter Knott was an American farmer who created the Knott's Berry Farm amusement park in California and made Knott's Berry Farm jelly.

Walter Marvin Knott, son of Elgin Charles Knott and Margaret Virginia (Dougherty) Knott, was born on 11 Dec. 1889 at San Bernardino County, California.^[1][2][3]

He married Cordelia L. Hornaday.^[2][3]

His biography at Wikipedia reports:

In the 1920s, Knott was a somewhat unsuccessful farmer whose fortunes changed when he nursed several abandoned berry plants back to health. The hybrid boysenberry, named after its creator, Rudolph Boysen, was a cross between a blackberry, red raspberry and loganberry. The huge berries were a hit, and the Knott family sold berries, preserves and pies from a Buena Park, California roadside stand. In 1934, Knott's wife Cordelia (née Hornaday, January 23, 1890 – April 12, 1974) began serving fried chicken dinners, and within a few years, lines outside the restaurant were often several hours long.^[3]

In 1949 Walter met with Herman Willis Smith, the two men discussed the possibility of Knott taking over a raspberry bush, called "Mary Smith", developed by Herman. Herman and his family met a second time at Knott's Berry Farm on Sunday, 19 June 1949. Walter showed them through the Ghost Town and treated them to dinner. While Herman does not record what was eaten, it almost certainly was one the Mrs. Knott's famous chicken dinners. Herman does not record that a business arrangement was reached, however in February 1951 he dug berry plants that he had grown for Mr. Knott.^[4] In 1963 Walter still had the time to politely answer a letter written by Herman.^[5]

The family operation grew and Knott's Berry Farm officially became an amusement park in 1968.^[3]

Walter died on 3 Dec. 1981 at Buena Park, Orange County, California and was buried at Loma Vista Memorial Park, Fullerton, Orange County, California. His memorial has photos, biographical material and links to those of family members.^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Walter Knott U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Find A Grave Memorial# 6081372 Walter Marvin Knott
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3} Walter Knott at Wikipedia.
4. ↑ Diary of Herman Willis Smith 1883-1965. 19 June 1949, 9 February 1951, Collection of Phil Smith.
5. ↑ Copy in images.