He was admitted to the bar in 1892 and commenced practice at Bluefield, West Virginia.

According to his obituary in The New York Times, "Mr. Knight was well known for his opposition to the Taft nomination in 1912, the election of Woodrow Wilson, America's entry into the World War, the country's proposed membership in the League of Nations and prohibition.

The fund existed until December 1950 when its assets of $9,047 were transferred to the newly created Knight Foundation.

John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, "dedicated to promotion of journalistic causes".

[citation needed] Knight married Clara Irene Shively of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania on November 22, 1893.