He attended Public School 16 and 14, and graduated from Bryant & Stratton College in Buffalo.

After dissolving the partnership with Lennox in 1887, Knight established a real estate and insurance business.

Knight was also a partner in the firm Sloan, Cowles & Co., proprietors of excursion steamers and summer resorts.

As sitting State Comptroller he ran for Mayor of Buffalo in November 1900, and was elected, serving from 1902 to 1905.

On September 3, 1923, Knight died at his home in the Hotel Pennsylvania, and was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo.