The F. E. Knowles & Company marble works was established in 1873, and was located at 7th and Castro Streets.
It was run by Frederick "Fred" E. Knowles (1852 - 1950), namesake of the unincorporated town of Knowles, in Madera County, CA. Knowles worked with Abel Hosmer at several stone operations over the years, including Raymond Granite Co. (c.1906) and Colusa Sandstone Co. (c.1916).
Knowles married Jennie Staley (Knowles) (1862 - 1912), and they had 3 children: Estelle Knowles (Minchin), Erwin Lawrence Knowles, and Harper Louis Knowles.