He was born in 1845/46, in Otsego County, New York, to Ezra B Knowles and Sarah Kimbell. [sources: date: 8 (1845), 9 (1845); 2 (19 in 1865), 3 (19 in 1865), 6 (24 in 1870), 10 (4 in 1850), 11 (14 in 1860). place: 2, 3, 6 (PA), 8, 10 (CT), 11. parents: 8, 10, 11]
In 1850, he was living in Oneonta, Otsego County, New York. He was living with his (presumed) parents Ezra B and Sarah Noles, and with Orcelia and Clarissa (presumably siblings). [source: 10]
In 1860, he was living in Westfield, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. He was living with his (presumed) parents Ezra B and Sarah Knowles, and with Orselia, Clarissa, Esther, Alfred, Sophia, and Silas Knowles (presumably siblings). He had attended school within the year. [source: 11]
When he enlisted, he was a laborer. [sources: 2, 3]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 10 inches tall, and had a black complexion, dark eyes, and dark hair. [sources: 2, 3]
He was a substitute for J Keles [?]. He enlisted and was mustered into service on 16 March 1865. He was enlisted for one year, at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, by Captain Blair. He was mustered in as a private in company K. His service was credited to the 115th subdivision of the 18th congressional district. [sources: 1, 2, 3, 7]
He mustered out with his company on 10 July 1865. He was a private, in company K. [sources: 1, 7]
He married Emma [unknown family name]. She was born in 1851/52, in Pennsylvania. They had two known children:
[sources: 6, 8]
In 1870, he was living in Harrison Township, Potter County, Pennsylvania (post office Ellisburg). He was living with Emma (presumably his wife) and Charles (presumably their child). He was working on a farm, and owned $200 in personal property. [source: 6]
In 1875, he died, in Harrison, Potter County, Pennsylvania. He was buried in Sabinsville Cemetery, Sabinsville, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. [sources: 8, 9]
On 3 July 1895, his widow, Emma Knowles, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension. [sources: 4, 5]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster) (Simon W Knowles)
2 company K, third descriptive roll (Simon W [?] Knoles)
3 company K, fourth descriptive roll (Simon W Knowles)
4 pension index, by name (Simon W Knowles)
5 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company K (Simon W Knowles)
6 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Potter County, Harrison Township, post office Ellisburg, microfilm series M593, film 1446, page 515 = 15 handwritten (Simon Nowles)
7 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Simon W Knowles)
8 'Simon W Knowles', in 'Bliss/Ackley family tree', an Ancestry family tree, owner tbliss181, accessed 21 July 2014
9 Find a grave, memorial 98941966, created by RobMinteer57, added 15 October 2012, accessed 21 July 2014 (Simon W Knowles)
10 1850 US census, New York, Otsego County, Oneonta, microfilm series M432, film 580, page 133 verso = 266 handwritten = 68 handwritten (FamilySearch) (Simon Noles)
11 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Tioga County, Westfield, microfilm series M653, film 1187, page [782] = 198 handwritten (FamilySearch) (Simon Knowles)
| line | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 |
| Dwellings visited | 554 | ||||
| Families visited | 593 | ||||
| Name | Ezra B Noles | Sarah | Orcelia | Simon | Clarissa I |
| Age | 36 | 38 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Sex | M | F | F | M | F |
| Color | |||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Carpenter | ||||
| Real estate owned | |||||
| Birthplace | Connecticut | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | |||||
| Attended school within year | |||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | |||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| Dwelling number | 1484 | ||||||||
| Family number | 1501 | ||||||||
| Name | Ezra B. Knowles | Sarah " | Orselia " | Simon " | Clarissa " | Esther " | Alfred " | Sophia " | Silas " |
| Age | 44 | 35 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Sex | m | f | f | m | f | f | m | f | m |
| Color | |||||||||
| Occupation | Farmer | ||||||||
| Value of real estate owned | 400 | ||||||||
| Value of personal estate | 150 | ||||||||
| Place of birth | Conn | N.Y. | " | " | " | " | Pa | " | " |
| Married within year | |||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Cannot read & write | |||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| Dwelling-house number | 135 | ||
| Family number | 135 | ||
| Name | Nowles [sic] Simon | Emma | Charles |
| Age | 24 | 18 | 1 |
| Sex | M | F | M |
| Color | W | W | W |
| Occupation | Work on Farm | ||
| Real estate value | |||
| Personal estate value | 200 | ||
| Birthplace | Penn | Penn | Penn |
| Father foreign born | |||
| Mother foreign born | |||
| Birth month if born within year | |||
| Marriage month if married within year | |||
| Attended school past year | |||
| Can't read | |||
| Can't write | |||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | |||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | 1 | ||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |