Knox County, Illinois - Chapter 11: Old Settlers' Association, 1878

Fifty years have come and gone since white men began to exercise dominion in this region of country, erst the home of the red men. These years have been full of changes, and the visitor of to-day, ignorant of the past of the county, could scarcely be made to realize that within these years there has grown up a population of 50,000 people, who in all the accomplishments of life are as far advanced as are the people in the counties of older States. Schools, churches, colleges, palatial dwellings, beautiful grounds, large, well cultivated and productive farms, as well as cities, towns and busy manufactories, have grown up and occupy the hunting grounds and camping places of the Indians, and in every direction there are evidences of wealth, comfort and luxury. There is but little left of the old landmarks. Advanced civilization and the progressive demands of revolving years have obliterated all traces of Indian occupancy, until they are only remembered in name. The beginning of these changes was made in 1828, when the Robertsons settled in Henderson.

Of the inhabitants in 1840, representing a population of a few thousand, many removed from the county to find homes in other States, while the spirits of others were called to join the immortal throng gathered around the great white throne in the far-away realms of eternal life and light. Others preferred to remain in the homes they commenced in Knox county, and by the goodness and mercy of God have grown in wealth, wisdom and usefulness, until in their declining years they are respected and honored patriarchs in the community that owes much of its character and great advancement to the influences they established in pioneer times.

It is not strange that among the pioneer settlers of any new country a deep-seated and sincere friendship should spring up, that should grow and strengthen with their years. The incidents peculiar to life in a new country - the trials and hardships, privations and destitutions - are well calculated to test, not only the physical powers of endurance, but the moral, kindly, generous attributes of manhood and. womanhood. Then are the times that try men's souls and bring to the surface all that there may be in them of either good or bad. As a rule there is an equality of conditions that recognizes no distinctions. All occupy a common level, and as a natural consequence a brotherly and sisterly feeling grows up that is as lasting as time; for "a fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind." With such a community there is a hospitality, a kindness, a benevolence and a charity unknown and unpracticed among the older, richer and more densely populated commonwealths. The very nature of the surroundings of these pioneers teaches them to feel each other's woe and share each other's joys. An injury or a wrong may be ignored, but a kindly, generous, charitable act is never forgotten. The memory of old associations and kindly deeds is always fresh. Raven locks may bleach and whiten ; full, round cheeks become sunken and hollow; the fires of intelligence vanish from the organs of vision; the brow become wrinkled with care and age, and the erect form bowed with the accumulating years; but the true friends of " long ago " will be remembered as long as life and reason endure.

The surroundings of pioneer life are well calculated to test the "true inwardness " of the human heart. As a rule the men and women who first settle a new country - who go in advance to spy out the land and prepare it for the coming people - are bold, fearless, self-reliant and industrious. In these respects, no matter from what remote sections or countries they may come, there is a similarity of character. In birth, education, religion and language there may be a vast difference, but imbued with a common purpose, - the founding and building of homes, - these differences are soon lost by association, and thus they become one people, united by a common interest; and no matter what changes may come in after years, the associations thus formed are never buried out of memory.

In pioneer life there are always incidents of peculiar interest, not only to the pioneers themselves, but which if properly preserved would be of interest to posterity; and it is a matter of regret that the formation of the " Old Settlers' Association " has not been continuously and enthusiastically maintained in Knox county. Such an association, with well kept records of the more important events, such as dates of arrivals, births, marriages, deaths, removals, nativities, etc., as anyone can easily and readily see, would be the direct means of preserving to the literature of the country the history of every community, that to future generations would be invaluable as a record of reference, and a ready and sure method of settling important questions of controversy. Such records would possess facts and figures that could not be had from any other source. Aside from this historic importance, such associations would serve as a means of keeping alive and further cementing old friendships, and renewing among its members associations that were necessarily interrupted by the innovation of increasing population, cultivating social intercourse, and creating a charitable fund for such of their old members as were victims of misfortune and adversity.

Pursuant to a previous call, about 400 old settlers assembled in the court-house at Knoxville, April 3, 1867, for the purpose of organizing an " Old Settlers' Society." The meeting was called to order by Major Thomas McKee, who nominated Daniel Robertson, the first settler of the county, for president; Robertson not being present, Major McKee, who was elected vice-president, presided. Dennis Clark and R. L. Hannaman were elected secretaries. John M. Combs, Thomas McKee, Major M. D. Coy, Rev. W. M. Clark, Rev. Edward Sellon and R. L. Hannaman made speeches, relating reminiscences of early life in Knox county. Major Coy in a rather humorous vein described the life of the early settler, - the hardships and pleasures endured. Mills were then scarce, and often they had to go from 60 to 100 miles to one, and remain a week before they could get their work done. During the first winter and spring grain was very scarce, and only to be obtained at Prophetstown, some 80 miles distant; and then, in order to keep it, it had to be buried in the sand. This was the only corn in the county to be had for planting. He further said he cut the first log for the first school-house and church ever built in Knox county.

The Major then paid a high tribute to Jacob B. Gum, the first preacher in the county. He thought the old settlers were the best people he ever knew, saying that the first settlers of Galesburg were the best people who ever settled any where in the West. " There was life and sociability then, which now is not to be found; and those days were the best, and (now, as soon as the roads are good, I am going farther "West to find in southwestern Iowa the old sociability once enjoyed by the first settlers of this county."

Rev. Edward Sellon related his early experience, and those of the early settlers, detailing the vicissitudes attendant npon the pioneers of a new country. He closed his remarks by an appropriate and feeling tribute to the brave and worthy pioneer women, who had shared the hardships and struggles in laying the foundation for a great and rich county.

September 9, 1869, another meeting was held, but this time at Galesburg. William McMurtry addressed the assemblage, giving an account of the first settling of the county, when there were a few settlers about Henderson Grove. Old Jacob Gum was their minister,

Esquire Miles their lawyer, and himself the justice of the peace. He had but one case in six years on his docket, and that was amicably settled by the disputants.

Another meeting was held at G-ilson camp-grounds, September 9, 1871. The old settlers assembled the following year at the fairgrounds, at Knoxville, and in 1877 they again met at Knoxville- The annual meeting for 1878 was held at that city September 20. Although there has not been that interest manifested in the meetings of the association their importance deserves, they afford considerable pleasure and satisfaction to those participating in the annual reunions.