Knox County, Illinois
Genealogy & History

(See also Maquon Village and Town of Bennington.)

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

"James Milan settled on Sec. 25, in 1830.  Wm. Darnell settled in the Township soon after, Rebecca Thurman was the first birth and also the first death in the Township.  First Justice was Mark Thurman, Sec. 35, 1833.  First school house was built 1834, on Sec. 24.  Benjamin Brock was first teacher.  First marriage was Elisha Thruman to Anna Hall, who went to Fulton County to have the ceremony performed, but they resided in Maquon Township as they do at the present time.  Maquon is the only Township in the county that has no Church building, school houses being the only places of worship in the Township, except the fine Camping grounds, where every year an immense number congregate from all parts of the county and hold Camp meeting.  Race course adjoins Maquon city where some of the best races in the west occur every summer."

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

"When the red men roamed unmolested over this beautiful county their principal village was in this township, on Spoon river.  As they were driven westward by the advance of civilization, a Mr. Palmer, a bee-hunter, came to the township and stopped at their vacated village.  He arrived in 1828, but made no improvement in the way of fencing, or preparing a permanent home; and as it was not his intention to remain, he could not be termed a settler.  He stayed here but a short time, when he removed further west.  Interesting remains of this Indian village and of their burying ground are found.  It will be noticed that their trails, as marked on the map in this work, lead from near the town of Maquon.

James Millan settled on section 25 in 1830.  Among other early settlers were Wm. Darnell, Wm. Parmer and Mark and Thomas Thurman.  The first Justice of the Peace was Mark Thurman.  The first death was that of a little daughter of Mark Thurman, named Rebecca, who was also the first child born in the township.  The first marriage was that of Elisha Thurman to Miss Anna Hall.  Although they went to Fulton county to have the ceremony performed, yet they resided in the township at the time.  The first school-house was erected on section 34 in 1834.  The first school was taught by Benjamin Brooks.  In the northern part of the township, on section 4, is situated the town of Maquon.  Spoon river passes diagonally across the township in a southwestern direction.  The township contains a good proportion of prairie and timber lands."

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

Maquon Township was organized April 5, 1853. James M. Foster was elected Supervisor; Nathan Barbero, Assessor: J. L. Lowman, Collector. It is watered by Spoon River, which enters the township on section 2, and courses southwesterly, going out on section 19. Other little streams run through the township, emptying into this river, which affords good facilities for drainage and water. The land is mostly rolling prairie, yet there are some fine bodies of timber. James Millan was the first actual settler, locating on section 25, in 1830, and improving a farm. Among those who joined him soon after were Mark and Thomas Thurman, William Darnell and William Palmer.

The territory now embraced by this township was a beautiful country and attracted the Indians, who had at an early day one of their principal villages here, which was located on the banks of the Spoon River. Soon after the Indians left their village, retreating before the advancement of civilization, a noted bee-hunter by the name of Palmer, came to the village and tarried awhile; this was in 1828. He remained but a short time, when he proceeded farther Westward. Many interesting relics were found at the Indian village by the early settlers.

The first couple married from this township were Elisha Thurman and Anna Bell, the ceremony being performed in Fulton County. The first death was that of an infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Thurman. Born in the settlement, this delicate pioneer infant was too frail a flower to bear the rude blasts of untoward circumstance, of privation and adversity, and drooped and faded. It became the first gift to heaven from this township and was happy, while those left to mourn gave with dutiful hand and heart to "Him who carries the lambs in His bosom."

Squire Mark Thurman was the first man in the township to hold the scales of justice. Benjamin Brooks taught the first school, in 1834, in a school-house on section 34.

After the Indian troubles were over Maquon settled quite rapidly, and became one of the prosperous townships of the county. It has a very thriving little village located on the northern line, bearing its own name, where the people mostly do their trading. The advantages of ready transportation were given the people by the completion of the Peoria Railroad in the early part of 1854.

Maquon is a good township, and within its territory are some good farms and fine buildings. It is good stock country, and in raising hogs it ranks third in the county. Population in 1880 was 1,448. The County Superintendent's report for the year 1885 furnishes the following items regarding schools:

"There were eight school districts, one graded and seven ungraded schools. The school property was valued at $12,000, with eight frame school-houses. Of persons under 21 years of age there were 666, of whom 458 were of school age, 411 being enrolled. The highest wages paid male teachers were $75, the lowest $33. The highest wages paid female teachers were $45, and the lowest $30. The tax levy was $4,500."

SUPERVISORS

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

"Maquon in 1830, was an Indian Village.  In 1836, it was laid out by Parnach Owen, Jno. G. Sanborn, Wm. McGowan, R. L. Hannaman, _____ Boars, _____ Richmond.  The first Post Master was McGowan, in 1837, who was also the first Justice of the Peace.  It is a thriving town, with a good trade."

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

It is situated in Maquon Township, in the northeast corner of section 4, and was laid out by Parnach Owen, John G. Sanburn, Wm. McGowen and Robt. L. Hannaman in 1836. The survey was completed October 24, same year. Benjamin Cox erected the first building. It was a frame one, and was used for a hotel, being opened as such by its builder. Subsequently this hotel passed into the hands of Nathan Barbero, and was kept by him some 20 years. It was called the "Barracks," and was a much better hotel than its name would signify. Matthew Maddox erected the first store-house in 1839, with the intention of putting in a stock of goods, but he gave up the project, and it remained for John Whipple to offer for sale to this pioneer settlement the first goods. About the next buildings to go up in this town were two brick stores erected by Joseph DeLay and Jacob Consor, in the autumn of 1839. In 1837, a post-office was established and placed in charge of Wm. McGowen, who also had the honor to represent the village as Justice of the Peace.

Miss Harriet Hamlin took charge of the education of the youth of this town in 1839, thought it was not until 1848 that a school-house was built.

The town went on adding to its numbers until it was thought it was large enough to be incorporated. Accordingly a vote was called for on the 19th of March, 1857, to decide this question. It resulted in favor of incorporation, 41 votes being cast for and 14 against the measure. In March an election was held for Village Trustees, which resulted in the choice of S. A. Huber, Horace Jones, W. J. Lane, Samuel Longwell and Dempsey Capps. At a meeting of the Trustees at the office of W. J. Lane, March 28, Dempsey Capps was chosen President of the Board; L. B. Potter, Clerk; and Anson S. Potter, Police Magistrate.

It was about this time that the Peoria Branch of the C. B. & Q. R.R. was completed through the town, which gave quite an impetus, for a time to its growth. It was about the last of April or the first of May that the first railroad train went through from Galesburg to Peoria.

Maquon has some good stores and is a very good trading point. A very fine school-house was erected here in 1866, at a cost of about $9,000. It is a frame building, and contains three good-sized school-rooms. A graded school has been established here, which has a good attendance and is ably conducted. Maquon, according to the census of 1880, had a population of 548, which figure will pretty fairly represent its present population. Present Board of Trustees are : Chas. Brocker, Abraham M. Warfel, G. G. Shearer, L. G. Benson, C. T. Olmstead, and Chas. Dennis. Abraham M. Warfel is President, and W.W. Penmen, Clerk.

CHURCHES

The Methodist Episcopal Church. After much persistent effort this society succeeded in establishing a permanent organization here, and in the fall of 1877 completed their church edifice at cost, including grounds, of between $6,000 and $7,000. It was dedicated September 11, 1877, by Bishop J. T. Peck, of Syracuse, NY.

Maquon Lodge, No. 150, I.O.O.F., was instituted April 29, 1858, and received its charter October 15, 1858. First officers were: L.W. Pehniruth, N. G.; Allen Hamsick, V. G.; Wm. Davis, Warden; J. M. Burkhalter, C. In August of that year they were burned out. The present officers are: B.M. Bland, N. G.; N.B. Rumbo, V. G.; Wm. Swigart, Treasurer; Chas. A. Walker, Secretary. They have a membership at present of 48, and meet in the Masonic Hall. They are well equipped and in a prosperous condition.

Maquon Lodge, No. 530, A.F.&A.M., was organized October 1, 1867. They worked under dispensation nine months before receiving their charter. The first officers of this lodge were: Robert Proseus, W. M.; Wm. Swigart, S.W.; L. J. Dawdy, J.W. The present officers are L. J. Dawdy, W. M.; T. C. Olmstead, S.W.; Henry Norris, J.W.; R. B. Seamen, Chaplain; Wm. Swigart, Treasurer; T. L. McGirr, Secretary. Present membership is 50. They have a good hall, which is well furnished and equipped. This is one of the flourishing lodges of the county; they are out of debt, have funds in the treasury, and are in fine working order.

Hancock Post, No. 552, G.A.R., was organized January 29, 1886, with 23 members. The officers are L. J. Dawdy, C.; Joshua Gay, S.V.C.; H. M. Richards, J.V.C.; and Wm. Burkhalter, Q.M. This is a new Post and promises to be a flourishing one.

[Contributed by Todd Walter.]

Knox County Deed Book 3, Page 546
Includes map of town, containing 20 lots, 2 alleys, and two streets; Main and Center.
*****

The survey of the Town of Bennington was made April 4th, 1838 for Elisha Thurman (Proprietor) Commencing at the SE Corner of Section Sixteen in Township Nine North and Range Three East.  At which corner a Rock was set in the original mound run west, 16 1/2 feet, to the South E Corner of Lot No. 5 in Block No. 1 embracing a part of the S. E. quarter of Sec. 16 and a part of the N. E. quarter of Sec. 21.  The Lots are 66 feet by 165 feet.  The streets are 66 feet wide and the alleys are 16 1/2 feet wide.

I do certify that this is a correct survey of the above mentioned.  Given under my hand this the 5th day of April, 1838.

George A Charles, Co. Surveyor

Know all men by these presents that I, Elisha Thurman of Knox County, and State of Illinois, do hereby give and Grant all my right title claim and interest to the streets and alleys mentioned in the above Town of Bennington for the uses and purposes of said town as public Ground.  Witness my hand and seal, the 3rd day of May in the year of our Lord, 1838

Elisha Thurman {Seal}

I, H. J. Runkle, Clerk of the County Commissioners Court, for said County do testify that Elisha Thurman, whose name appears to the foregoing deed, and who is personally known to me the person described in and who executed the same did acknowledge the same to be his free and voluntary act, and deed for the uses and purposes therein mentioned.  Given under my hand and Seal, of said Court, this 3rd day of May A. D. 1838.

H. J. Runkle, Clerk