Knox County, Illinois
Genealogy & History

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

"Joseph Wallace was the first settler in this beautiful Township, having settled on Section 15, in 1830.  James Fergusen settled Sec. 11, in 1831, and Samuel Mather on Sec. 14, in 1832.  The first marriage was on Section 11, in 1834.  It was a double affair:  Alexander Robertson was united to Narcissa Fergusen, and Daniel Fuqua to Lydia Bowmar.  First birth was Cynthia Fergusen, daughter of James and Martha Fergusen, on 1833, in Sec. 11.  First death was a Mr. Cranmar, who died in 1833, on Sec. 15.  James Fergusen was elected the first Justice of the peace, in 1833.  First school house was built in 1836, on Section 14.  First School Teacher was Thomas Ellison.  First Church was Orange Chapel; Methodist Episcopal, built on Section 22.  The first sermon preached in the township was by Jacob Gum, at the residence of James Fergusen."

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

"Orange township is bounded on the north by Knox, on the east by Haw Creek, south by Chestnut and on the west by Cedar.  It is well divided between prairie and timber lands, and is one of the very best townships of land in the county.  It was settled at an early date.  Joseph Wallace was the first white man to make his home here.  He settled on section 15 in 1830.  James Ferguson settled on section 11 the following year, and Samuel Mather on section 14 in 1832.  The first birth was Cynthia Ferguson, daughter of James and Martha Ferguson.  She was born in 1833.  The first death was a Mr. McCramer, who died in 1833, on section 15.  James Ferguson was the first Justice of the Peace, being elected in 1833.  The first school-house was erected on section 14 in 1836.  The first teacher was Thomas Ellison.  The first church was organized by the Methodists, on section 22, and known as Orange Chapel.  The first sermon that was preached in the township was by Jacob Gum, the old pioneer preacher of the county, at the residence of James Ferguson.  The first marriage ceremony was a double wedding.  Alexander Robertson was united to Narcissa Ferguson and David Fuqua to Lydia Bowmar."

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

Orange Township was organized by the election of township officers, April 5, 1853. Asa Haynes was chosen Supervisor; Anderson Barnett, Clerk; A. Pierce, Assessor; John G. Rude, Collector; Samuel Mather and J. Wallace, Overseers of the Poor; John H. McGrew, Thomas Gilbert and Morris Chase, Commissioners of Highways; James Godfrey and Davis Stevens, Constables; Peter Godfrey and Charles Corwin, Justices of the Peace.

Joseph Wallace and family were the first to come in and settle, in 1830, making a claim on section 25, and erecting a little cabin for their shelter. His first wife died at the old farm place, and Mr. Wallace subsequently moved to Iowa. He has been dead many years. Mr. Cranmar settled there in 1831. James Ferguson, with his wife and children, settled on section 11, in 1832. They had previously lived in Henderson Township, near Henderson village, to which place they came in 1830 from Kentucky. They reared a large family of children, a part of whom were born here. The names of the children were Narcissa, Nancy, Francis, Sarah, Cynthia, Andrew, Thomas, and Martha. Of these Narcissa and Cynthia are dead. Mr. Ferguson died in 1841. He was quite an active and prominent man in township affairs, and was generally known as Maj. Ferguson. His widow survived him some 20 years, departing this life at the old homestead, in August, 1861. They were buried in the cemetery on section 11. Sarah Ferguson was married to Thomas Godfrey, who removed here from Ohio, March 6, 1848, Squire Barnett performing the ceremony. Her husband died in October, 1868. Subsequently she was married to Aaron Weir, and they are now living on section 15; Andrew Ferguson on section 10; Thomas is living on section 11. The Fergusons were good people and were well thought of. Samuel Mather and family moved in soon after the Fergusons, settling on section 14. John Denny, with John and Simon McAllister, made claims in the township in 1834. John McAllister and family moved to Oregon; Simon lived and died on section 12, where he first located; so did his wife. His son, Wesley, is living on the old place; he was married to Harriet Reed. Mr. Denny had a large family; they all moved to Oregon, where they prospered. Thomas Gilbert was one of the early settlers, locating on section 8. He died some years ago, and his widow is living in Knoxville. His oldest son, Thomas, is also living there. Israel Turner came to the settlement in 1837, and later on his brother, William, came.

In 1837 Anderson Barnett, that now genial, highly respected and poetical old gentleman, sought a home in this township, locating on section 10, where he erected a cabin for himself and his good wife. To this worthy couple were born 18 children, ten of whom are still living and, diligent in business, are winning high places in life. After living on his farm for 45 years, and having acquired by his industry and economy a handsome competency, he has retired from active labors, and is now living with his faithful life companion at Knoxville, enjoying the fruits of his industry, surrounded by numerous friends, by whom they are loved and respected. James Reed, a brother-in-law of Mr. Barnett, came West with him. He afterward moved to Iowa.

In 1834 four of the young people of this township found life in this Western prairie very lonely and dreary, unblessed by conjugal ties, and concluded to form alliances more conducive to their happiness. Their names were Alex. Robertson, Narcissa Ferguson, and Daniel Fuqua and Lydia Bowmar, all of whom were living on section 11. Rev. Jacob Gum tied the Gordian knot.

The first birth was Cynthia, daughter of James and Martha Ferguson, in 1833. The first death was that of Mr. Cranmar, who died on section 11, in 1832. James Ferguson was elected the first Justice of the Peace. The first school taught was by Thos. Ellison, on section 14, in 1836. Mr. Ellison is now living at Abingdon. Anderson Barnett taught the second school in 1837-38. The first man to administer gospel food in the way of preaching was Rev. Jacob Gum, a Baptist preacher.

The first church building was the Orange Chapel, by the Methodist denomination, on section 22, in 1845. It was constructed of brick, which were made by A. Barnett. A Methodist class was established in 1836. Meetings were held at the Wallace school-house and in private houses. The walls of Orange Chapel are cracked and it is very much out of repair, and services are now held in what is called Haynes Church. Rev. James Core is the present preacher in charge. This is a fine church building. The United Brethren have a congregation in this township, on section 22. It was organized some 20 years ago. Elder Smith has charge of the society.

There were plenty of Indians in the township when the white people came in, and remained until after the Black Hawk War. They were quite troublesome, and a block-house was built on the southeast corner, into which the people could go for safety. This place is now owned by Cornelius Runkle. One man was killed in this township about the time of the breaking out of the Black Hawk War. He went out of the block-house about sundown to cut some hay, and some Indians came out of the woods and shot him, and then fled. Orange Township is watered by Haw Creek and branches, and some other little streams. It is quite liberally timbered in the northeastern and eastern portions, and in the western the land is quite broken. About the middle portion the land is rolling, and the soil is rich. In this section there are many fine farms. Considerable attention has been given of late years to the raising of cattle and hogs, and the farmers haven been successful. The Peoria Branch runs across the northeast corner. The people do their marketing and trading at Knoxville.

In 1880 the population was stated by the census taker at 1,130. It is not far from this at the present writing. There are eight school districts in the township, all of which are ungraded. The school property was valued at $6,923.00 The school-houses are all frame. Of persons under 21 years of age there were 438, of whom 345 were of school age.

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