Knox County, Illinois
Genealogy & History

(See also Abingdon and St. Augustine.)

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

"Azel Dossy settled on Section 7, in 1829, remaining by a year or two.  Jno. C. Lattimer settled on Section 6 in 1833.  The first birth was that of Phebe Lattimer, summer of 1835.  Jno. Crawford, a Cumberland Presbyterian Clergyman, preached at the residence of Jno. Howard, on Section 16, in 1837, which was the first sermon delivered in the Township.  Judge Ferry performed the first marriage ceremony, by uniting  on Oct. 19, 1837, Wm. Ogden to Miss Damantha Roberts.  The first school was taught on section 16, winter of 1837 and '38, by our respected County Judge, the Hon. Dennis Clark.  The first Justice of the Peace was Daniel Meek, Esq., who yet lives in Indian Point, surrounded by hosts of friends.  With the exception of about six square acres of timber, Indian Point is high rolling prairie, rich, and very productive."

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

"This is one of the finest townships in Knox county.  It is mostly prairie land, being high, undulating and fertile.  Very little unimproved or waste lands are within its boundaries.  Indian creek rises in the northern part of the township, courses southwest and empties into Cedar Fork of Spoon river.  The latter stream enters the township at section 30, flows south and makes its exit on the southern line of the southwest quarter of section 31.  The streams arising in the eastern part of the township meander in a southwesterly direction, swelling Spoon river.

There are two towns within the borders of the township, - Abingdon, on the northern line, and St. Augustine, almost on the southern boundary.  These are connected by the C., B. & Q railroad.

Indian Point took its name from a body of timber which extended from Cedar Fork to section 16.  Along the edge of this timber was the favorite camping ground of the Indians, the remains of whose camps were extant long after settlement by the whites.  In consequence of these remains this point or body of timber took the name of "Indian Point;" and when, on Monday, January 14, 1850, the townships of the county were christened, the name "Indian Point" very naturally suggested itself for this township, and ever since that time "Indian Point" has become a familiar phrase to almost every person in the county.

John C. Latimer, who settled on the northwest quarter on section 6 in 1833, is believed to have been the first white settler, at least to make this permanently his home.  Mr. Latimer was born in Robinson county, Tennessee, August 18, 1812.  He came to this county with his father, Joseph Latimer, in 1831.  John C. Latimer still resides on the same farm he first settled, in a commodious and convenient farm-house, near where the old log-cabin was first erected.

Others soon followed Mr. Latimer into this naturally favored township.  Among them were Stephen Howard, John H. Lomax, John Howard, Sr., Rev. John Crawford, William Stewart, Henry Russell, Daniel Meek, John Dowdy, Manyweather Brown, Anthony Bowers, and Alexander Latimer, some of whom figured quite prominently in the early history of Knox county.  Not one of the above named pioneers, except John C. Latimer, reside in the township; and all have crossed the Jordan of death, save for Alexander Latimer, Henry Russell, and Manyweather Brown.  John C. Latimer seems to have been specially favored; for, although the oldest settler, he and his good wife live in peace and plenty, and enjoy the fruits of the hard toil of their earlier years; and now, as they traverse the autumn of life, it is with sadness and pleasure commingled that they reflect upon the trials and joys, the suffering and pleasures, the sorrows and happiness of their pioneer days in this township.

The first child born in the township was Ann Frances Lomax, daughter of John H. and Nancy Lomax, who was born about the 25th of October, 1835.  The first death was in 1838, that of Mr. Hibbard, an elderly gentleman, and father of Widow Robinson, at whose house he died.  The first school was taught by Dennis Clark, the present County Judge, in the winter of 1837-38, in a little log school-house on section 16.  The present schools of the township are excellently managed.  There are three churches, two Christian and one Catholic.  The following gentlemen have represented the township in the Board of Supervisors, from year to year, since 1853:  Daniel Meek, John C. Latimer, James W. Butler, Patrick Smith, T. L. Frazier, N. R. Cashman, William Campbell, H. Crisman (by appointment to fill the unexpired term of William Campbell), and J. W. Butler, the present Supervisor."

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

Indian Point Township was first settled in 1834 by John C. Latimer, from Tennessee, who with his family settled on section 6, putting up a log cabin and commencing the improvement of his land. About the same time John H. Lomax and his wife came in, settling on section 7. Stephen Howard and family came in soon after and located on section 6. He subsequently moved to the southeast part of Kansas, where he died a few years ago. These were the only settlers in this township during 1834. In 1835 there were several additions made to this primitive settlement, and among those coming in were John Howard, who made a claim on section 16; Isaac Latimer made a claim on the same section; John Crawford, a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher, settled on this section. Alexander Latimer was among the settlers who came in 1835, settling on section 16. He sold out in 1836 to Daniel Meeks and located in Cedar Township. Subsequently he moved to Minnesota, where he is still living. With Mr. Meeks came John Killiam, a brother-in-law, who settled on sections 15 and 22. Henry Russell and family came in this year and made a claim on the southeast quarter of section 24. Here he lived for over a quarter of a century, making one of the finest farms in the county, and then moved to Kansas. Others soon followed, and soon there was quite an influx into the township, which gave the new settlement a prosperous appearance. Among the list was Manyweather Brown, who settled on section 7. He was a good citizen and was at one time one of the County Commissioners. J.P. Bartlett Boydston came and settled on section 17, where he reared a large family of children. One of his sons, W. A., is Roadmaster on the C. B. & Q. R.R. John Howard sold out to John Dowty and moved into Warren County. Daniel Meeks was an active man, taking a prominent part in township affairs. He was at one time County Commissioner and also Justice of the Peace, and died in 1874. John C. Latimer was an active and thrifty citizen, holding various positions in the township. After living half a century on his farm he sold it and moved to Iowa, where he had been preceded by his children.

Ann Francis, daughter of John H. and Nancy Lomax, was the first child born in the township, which was in 1835. Phobe Latimer was the second child born, her birth occurring a short time after that of Ann Lomax.

The first death in the township was Mr. Herbert, who died on section 16 in the spring of 1838. He was buried at Indian Point Cemetery. Judge Dennis Clark was the pioneer teacher in this township, commencing the improvement of the minds and hearts of the children of this neighborhood during the winter of 1837-38. This institution of learning was located at Indian Point, on section 16, and was a substantial structure of logs. Mr. Clark had 30 pupils during his first term, which closed July 1, 1838, and taught here several years. His warm heart and genial nature attached him very much to the children, who applied themselves to their studies as much to please their teacher as for their own improvement.

The first sermon preached here was by Rev. John Crawford, a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher. The services were held at John Howard's residence. He died many years ago, but his widow is still living.

The first marriage in Indian Point Township, was that of Wm. Ogden and Damantha Roberts, October 19, 1837. The ceremony was performed by John Terry, a Justice of the Peace of Chestnut Township.

Judge Dennis Clark and Jonathan Latimer broke the first ground in this township, on section 16. Mr. Clark drove the ox-team and Mr. Latimer held the plow. Stephen Howard put up the first cabin on section 6, and John C. Latimer the second. There were no Indians in this township when the first settlers came, but there were numerous evidences that they had lived here in former times. There were found the remains of bark wigwams, flint arrows, hatchets, etc. They were found at the point of timber, and it was named Indian Point on this account. In early days this point seems to have been the favorite camping ground of the Indian tribes. There are two towns within the borders of this township -- Abingdon, which lies on the northern line, and St. Augustine, which is situated near the southern part, on section 32. When first settled there was but little timber here, and this was on section 36 and along the borders of Cedar Fork, on the western side, and on Indian Creek. After the question of township organizations had been settled a meeting was held for organizing the township April 5, 1853, at the school-house in District No. 2. S. H. Richey was chosen Moderator and T. A. Baldwin, Clerk. The following named persons were elected to the various offices:

Daniel Meeks Supervisor; Dennis Clark, Clerk; S. H. Richey, Assessor; Jefferson Dawdy, Collector; Henry Ground and Charles Williams, Justices of the Peace.

Indian Point is regarded as one of the best townships in the county. There is hardly an acre of land within its borders but what is or can be readily cultivated. The land is undulating and very fertile. The township is liberally watered by Cedar Fork and Indian Creek, with their little branches, which meander through it. Indian Creek empties into Cedar Fork and the latter into Spoon River. Of the early settlers not one now lives in the township; they are either dead or have moved away. When the Quincy branch of C. B. & Q. R. R. was completed through, it added greatly to the development of the township, and gave the people ready means of transportation. It has two railway stations, one at Abingdon and the other at St. Augustine. Indian Point is highly cultivated, and its farmers are all in good circumstances, having good dwelling-houses and farm buildings. In the raising of horses and hogs this township stands at the head of the townships in the county, and in cattle among the first.

Its population in 1880 was 1,725, which is about the number of inhabitants at the present time. Indian Point has eight school districts, one graded and seven ungraded schools. The school property values at $6,050, with one brick and seven frame school- houses. Of the persons under 21 years there were 726, of whom 498 were of school age, 429, being enrolled. The highest wages paid male teachers were $72.50, the lowest, $35; the highest wages paid female teachers were $45, the lowest $32.50. The tax levy was $3,777.89.

SUPERVISORS

T. E. Givens is one of the breeders of the Norman horse, and is giving considerable attention to it. He has fine thoroughbreds, and about 20 grades.

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

"St. Augustine was laid out by Harry Mattingly, on land owned by himself in 1856, contains 1 Steam Flouring Mill, 2 Stores, 2 Churches, and 1 Brewery."