Rev. KNOTTS served as pastor of the First Methodist Church of New Virginia 1863-1865. While he was pastor the first church was built. He also served the Mt. Tabor Methodist Episcopal Church and was later appointed ambassador to Mexico by President Grant. (Source: First Methodist Church Of New Virginia, written by A. E. SAYRE, copied from the History of Warren County, Iowa, by Gerard SCHULTZ and Don L. BERRY, The Record and Tribune Company, Indianola, Iowa, 1953, pages 119-151)