Knox County, Illinois
Genealogy & History

[The township was named Knoxville in an 1850 report.]

(See also Knoxville.)

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

"Knox Township was first settled by Parry Morris in 1829, on Section 28, within the present limits of Knoxville.  His claim was soon afterwards purchased by Geo. A. Charles, Esq., who still resides in Knoxville.  The first death occurring the the Township, was a child of Mr. & Mrs. Tuber.  The first sermon was preached by Jacob Gum, a Baptist clergyman.  A commission was appointed by the Governor in 1830, consisting of three citizens to organize the county.  They first met near the present town of Henderson in July 1830, and soon afterwards selected the present sit of Knoxville, as the permanent county seat, calling the Town Henderson.  In 1833 its name changed to Knoxville.  Knox Township containing the seat of Justice, and being such a fine township of land, attracted the attention of western bound emigrants, and filled very rapidly.  The Knox County Asylum, is on the northern border of Knoxville, and is one of the finest institutions of the kind in the country."

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

"In this township, the first town in the county was laid off.  Adjoining Knoxville is the finely equipped county poor farm, the buildings of which are excelled in all their appointments by none in the State.

The township has timber land distributed very freely over it.  Here some of the earliest settlers of the county located, the present site of Knoxville being the first settled by Parry Morris.  John Montgomery, who settled on section 30, was among the first settlers.  He has gone from this place to Rushville, Schuyler county, to have his milling done.  The first sermon preached in this township was by Elder Jacob Gum, the first preacher in Knox county.  The first death occurring was that of a child of a Mr. Taber.  David Huggins of this township made the first cheese that was ever manufactured in the county.  This he carried to Galena and sold for 7 1/2 cents a pound.  The first church organized in the the township was in 1835, and by the following six persons from three different denominations, but seemingly inclining to the Presbyterian faith, as they called their church the "Old School Presbyterian:" David Huggins and wife, Mrs. Jackson and daughter, M. Owen and Mrs. J. G. Sanburn.

Knox township contains 20,857 acres of improved, and 950 of unimproved lands, the total valuation of which is $365,340.  In 1878 there were 5,433 acres devoted to corn, 244 acres to wheat, 979 to oats.  Its meadow lands embrace an area of 2,449 acres; its orchards 256 acres; its woodlands 2,199.  Its town lots are valued at $14, 865.  The township contains 882 horses, valued at $36,359; cattle 2,151, valued at $32,403; mules 55, valued at $2,300; sheep 447, valued at $936; hogs 4,139, valued at $7,359; carriages and wagons 375, valued at $11,717; piano-fortes 37, valued at $2,912.  Total value of its agricultural tools and machinery, $6,497.  Total value of personal property in the township is $436,659."

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

Knox Township is located near the center of the county, in number 11 north of range 2 east, and is bounded by the following-named townships: Sparta on the north, Persifer on the east, Orange on the south and Galesburg on the west.  This township was organized as a township April 5, 1853. At the meeting for the elector of township officers, R. W. Upson was chosen Chairman; Hugh S. Woods, Moderator; and H. A. Keightly, Clerk; Isaac B. West was chosen for Supervisor; Thomas Muir, Clerk; Sterling C. Simpson, Assessor; Charles Rogers, Collector; W. M. Lowan and William Sanburn, Justices of the Peace; A. Leighton, Aldred Runkle and William Sanburn, Commissioners of Highways; William M. Lowan, Overseer of the Poor; Isaac Martin and Peter Bartnett, Constables.

Parry Morris was the first settler in this township, coming in in 1829, and locating on the northwest corner of section 33. His claim was purchased soon after by Capt. John Charles. He had several children, among whom was George A., who was quite prominent in the affairs of the county. Capt. Charles died several years ago. John Montgomery came into the county soon after Capt. Charles, locating on section 30. He was soon followed by David Higgins, who has the credit of making the first cheese in the county. Dr. Charles Hansford was one of the very first settlers, locating on the present site of Knoxville.

When the county seat was located in Knoxville, a large number of people founded homes in and about Knoxville, finding it a desirable and beautiful spot. Timber is pretty generally distributed over the township, and it is watered by small steams which ripple through it and finally empty into Spoon River. The southern portion is mostly rolling prairie, and there is also some good and prolific prairie land in the northwestern part. Most of the lands are rich, and this section contains many splendid farms.

The Peoria Branch of the C. B. & Q. R.R. runs through the township, entering on section 36, and, passing northwesterly, emerges at section 19. Much of the history of this township will be embraced in that of Knoxville. The people do their trading and marketing at Knoxville and Galesburg.

In 1880 the population, according to the census reports was 2,579. Since that time newcomers have largely increased the population of the township.

Below are given the names of the citizens who have served this township as Supervisors:

SUPERVISORS

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

"They selected the southwest 28, 11 north, 2 east, as the permanent seat of government of the count, and passed a resolution to the effect that a suitable person be selected to proceed to Springfield, Ill., and pre-empt the same.  Rees Jones offered to go for $8, which was the lowest bid, and on his giving bonds for the faithful performance of the duties required of him, was given the contract.  They also contracted with Parnach Owens for laying out the town to be the County Seat, which they called Henderson, but by an act of the Legislature, in 1833, it was changed to Knoxville.  Mr. Owens was to lay the town off in lots of 1/4 acre each, and was to receive as his compensation for same the sum of 12 and 1/2 cents for each lot so laid off and staked, and was to take his pay in lots.

The first sale of lots was April 23rd, 1831, at public auction; 79 lots were sold, ranging from $2 to $61, and averaging $15.90 apiece.  On the 7th of November, 1836, the value of property had so risen that the lot on which the jail now stands and extending south to the corner, with one-eight reserved for county purposes, was sold for $3,911.  John Eads, Esq., gave $2,500 for the lot on which his store now stands.  The first court house was built in the winter of 1830-31, by William Lewis, Parnach Owens and Andrew Osborn, contractors.  It was two stories high, 20x28, built of hewn logs, and cost, complete, $197.  The present court-house was built in 1838."

EWING FEMALE SEMINARY

"Is situated in Knoxville.  It was erected in 1857-58, at a cost of $25,000.  It has an average attendance of over 100 pupils, and is in a flourishing condition.  French, Latin, German, and the subordinate branches are taught.  It belongs to the Episcopalian denomination, and is ably conducted by its energetic and faithful President, C. W. Leffingwell."