Knox County, Illinois
Genealogy & History

[A portion of Galesburg Township was split off to form West Galesburg Township on January 9, 1866.  West Galesburg Township subsequently became known as City of Galesburg Township some time prior to 1921.]

(See also City of Galesburg and Galesburg City Township.)

From the 1870 Atlas Map of Knox County, Illinois, Andreas, Lyter & Co., Davenport, Iowa, 91 pages.  [Submitted by Bob Miller.]

"G. Scott, on Section 19, and Edward Morse, on Section 3, were the first settlers.  On the 7th of January, 1836, in Whitesboro, New York, a number of persons, headed by Rev. George W. Gale, D. D., organized themselves into a colony for the purpose of purchasing a tract of land in the Mississippi Valley at government rates, build up a town, college, &c., and divide the lands off into convenient farms, selling the same at $5.00 per acre, the profits to be donated to the college.  Lots in village to be sold only to actual settlers.  They purchased 410 acres of land in Henderson Township of resident individuals, a part of which was timber, and 10.336 81/100 acres in Galesburg Township, making a total of 10.746 81/100 at a cost of $14,821.01.  They built a number of temporary residences on south-west quarter of Section 33, Henderson Township, in the edge of Henderson Grove, making quite a town there for several years.  Many of these houses were afterward moved out into the prairie."

From the 1878 History of Knox County, Illinois published by Charles C. Chapman.  [Submitted by Joan Achille.]

"This is one of the finest bodies of land in Knox county.  It contains more miles of railroad than any other township in the county.  The corporate limits of Galesburg cover nine sections.  Gaddial SCOTT broke the first land in the township.  He, with Edward MORSE, were the first settlers.  Mr. SCOTT settled on section 19, in 1834.  Mr. MORSE settled on section 3.  As the history of the city of Galesburg mostly includes the history of the township, we will not repeat it, but refer the reader to that portion of this work.

Galesburg township, including the city of Galesburg, contains 18,318 acres of improved, and 1,658 acres of unimproved lands.  Value of land outside the city, $557,117.  In 1878, 6,649 acres of corn were raised, 51 acres of wheat, and 1,309 of oats.  There are 3,839 acres devoted to meadow, 371 to orchard, and there are 338 acres of woodland in the township.  The total valuation of town lots in the city is $2,059,710.  There are owned in the township 1,245 horses, valued at $56,205; cattle, 1,827, valued at $27,888; mules, 52, valued at $2,475; sheep 356, valued at $686; hogs 3,774, valued at $8,672; carriages & wagons 739, valued at $32,608; piano-fortes 209, valued at $18,730.  Total value of its agricultural tools and machinery is $6,054.  The total valuation of personal property of the township is $1,367,970."

From the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago.  [Submitted by Vicki Burton.]

Galesburg Township was organized April 5, 1853. At a meeting of the legal voters held on that day the following township officers were elected : W. S. Gale, Supervisor; Floyd Buckingham, Clerk; I. G. West, Assessor; G. W. Haskell, Collector; G. C. Lanphere and A. C. Wiley, Justices of the Peace; J. T. Barnett, C. S. Colton and P. Sisson, Highway Commissioners; L. J. Stanley, Overseer of the Poor.

Galesburg is in the middle of the western tier of townships, 11 north, of range 2 east, and is bounded on the north by Henderson, on the east by Knox, on the south by Cedar Township and on the west by Warren County. In its topography it is unexcelled by any township in the county. For the richness and productiveness of its soil it has no superior. The land is mostly rolling prairie, relieved occasionally by groves of timber, watered by a branch of Henderson Creek and a few other little streams of minor consequence. A great portion of this township was purchased by the Galesburg Colony, through their agents, who were sent out in 1835. Up to 1832 the territory now embraced by this township had not been molested by the genie of civilization, while settlements had been made in Henderson and Knox Townships. It was not long, however, destined to remain in this state of peace and comfort, for soon Joseph Rowe appeared upon the scene and made a claim upon the extreme western end of the Knoxville grove. Here he commenced the improvement of a farm. This was subsequently owned by Isaac Hague. Joseph was joined the following spring by Isaiah Smelser, who made a location which was afterward owned by George Ratelin. During that year Gaddial Scott came in, locating where a certain point of Cedar Fork Grove enters into the township on section 3. In later years it was known as the "Barnett farm." He was soon afterward joined by Jack Nelson and Harvey A. Gregg, who pushed out from the belt of farms that surrounded the eastern and southern portions of Henderson Grove, and located on section 6. Allen Hodge joined them, locating on the same section. Later that year Edward Morse ventured out and made a location of the northeast quarter of section 3. This was thought then to be going out a good ways, and that he might not be lost sight of entirely by his neighbors he erected a high log cabin, which was very appropriately called by his friends, "Lighthouse of the Prairie." It has been known since as the "Luther Gay" place. The logs were covered over with a more modern dress of clapboards. About this period, or in 1834, strangers would be occasionally passing through, looking for a desirable location, and would be told by the settlers that the county was pretty well settled up and all the best lands taken, and there was nothing remaining but prairie land, which was so far from timber as to be useless except for grazing purposes or as a range for stock. The colony settlers, who had located temporarily in Henderson Township - Log City - in 1836-37, moved into this township and began their labors. They, with the other families that had come in, made quite a settlement. Again a prosperous outlook seemed establishing for the future, and ere long proved itself. As the history of the city of Galesburg will largely include the history of this township, the reader is referred to that part of this work.

The farms in this township are well laid out and highly cultivated. The farm dwellings and farm buildings are first-class. Special attention has been given to the public roads, the result of which is that this township has the best roads in the county. By virtue of the concentration of the railroad lines in the city of Galesburg, this township has more miles of railroad track than any other township. Its population, in 1880, according to the census reports, was 12,085, and since then it has been considerably increased. Below are given some items taken from the report of the County Superintendent for 1885. This report does not include the city of Galesburg:

The township has five school districts; all the schools are ungraded, with frame buildings. The school property is valued at $4,700. There are two libraries, containing 40 volumes. Of persons under 21 years there were 251, of whom 183 were of school age, 149 being enrolled. The highest wages paid male teachers were $50 per month, the lowest $40; the highest wages paid female teachers were $40, and the lowest $30. The tax levy was $218,479.

The following named citizens have represented the township since it's organization, as Supervisors :

W. S. Gale 1857-58; W. S. Gale 1859; John L. Clay, Asst. 1859; S. W. Gale 1860; Caleb Finch, Asst. 1860; W. S. Gale 1861; John G. West, Asst. 1861; W. S. Gale 1861-63; Caleb Finch, Asst. 1861-63; Caleb Finch 1864; John C. Stewart, Asst. 1864; W. S. Gale 1865; H. R. Sanderson, Asst. 1865; W. S. Gale 1866; L. E. Conger, Asst. 1866; A. C. Clay 1867-69; (Division of Township) C. M. Felt 1870; A. C. Clay 1871-74; C. M. Felt 1875-77; G. W. Gale 1878-1880; D. L. Petch 1881; John T. Barnett 1882; A. C. Clay 1883; John G. West 1884; John Wilson 1885.