Knowles, Ira M., New Haven, was born in Monkton, Vt., on December 31, 1823, and settled in New Haven, Vt., in 1856. He was twice married; his first wife was Delia Stearns, and his second wife was Laura Carter, a daughter of Solomon and Harriet (Barnes) Carter, of Chelsea, Vt., and by whom he had two children — Carter E. and Delia H. (now Mrs. Charles Smith). Mr. Knowles and his son occupy a farm of 375 acres, and have a dairy of thirty head of high Durham stock, and he owns a farm of 350 acres in Bristol, Vt. His parents were John and Abigail (Maeder) Knowles. His father was a pioneer in Monkton, Vt., and settled in the northwest part of this town, clearing and improving a farm, on which he lived and died. He was a wheelwright by trade and did an extensive business. He was also a natural mechanic, and was said to be the first man to undertake the plan of a serving-machine, although he never effected the invention. He was a Quaker in religious belief. He was twice married, his first wife being Abigail Maeder, by whom he had three children — Ezra, Ira M., and Eliza. His second wife was Sarah Varney, and by her also he had three children — Abigail (Mrs. Elijah Carroll), John S., and Sarah (Mrs. Daniel Hill). His paternal grandfather was Samuel Knowles, who was a pioneer of Monkton, Vt., but who after removed to Canada, and died there.
