Joseph Cooling Knott was born in Branston Fen, Lincolnshire, England. He was the son of Sarah Elizabeth Cooling who later married James Knott. Joseph married Betsy Howden 14 May 1874 in St. Mary, Le-Wigford, Lincolnshire, England. They were the parents of at least 5 children who were all born in England, two died as children in England. They immigrated to Iowa about 1886 bringing their 3 surviving children. They lived in Parkersburg IA the rest of their lives.

The 1900 US census said that Betsy had given birth to 7 children, but only the five mentioned above have been identified. They are:
Fanny Knott born 6 Mar 1875 in Cherry Willington, Lincolnshire died 1882 in Yorkshire
Ada Knott born 2 Jun 1876 in Cherry Willington, Lincolnshire died 1963 in Omaha, NE
Phillip Knott born 9 May 1878 in Cherry Willington died 1934 in Omaha, NE
Joseph Knott born 13 May 1884 in Yorkshire, died the same year in Yorkshire
Albert Knott born 24 June 1886 in Yorkshire, died in 1960 in Arlington, Virginia

Joseph's obituary ran in the Courier of Waterloo, Iowa, listed as news from Parkersburg, Iowa. It stated that Albert was survived by his widow; a daughter, Mrs. W. O. Jensen of this place (Parkersburg, IA); and two sons: Philip and Albert, both of Nebraska.

Notes:
Daughter Ada married William Otto Jensen December 10, 1895 in Butler, Iowa. They had at least 8 children. See William Otto Jensen memorial # 261823402.
Son Phillip married Carrie Emma Busch on 12 Nov 1902 in Parkersburg, Iowa. They had one child
Son Albert married twice. First to Elizabeth McCune in 1910 They had at least four children. Some 12 years after Elizabeth's death, Albert married Charlotte Wilkerson as her third husband.

The 1881 England Census shows Joseph (31) and Betsey (29) with their children: Fanny (8), Ada (4), and Philip (2).