Centerville, Illinois

Lynn township has some features peculiar to itself. For instance, it is without a church, town or postoffice within its limits, which can be said of no other township in the county. But with all the inconveniences and want of high moral sentiment such a statement would generally imply, we find Lynn favored with postoffices at convenient and accessible points, and her people are not excelled in moral tone by those of any other section in the county. Indeed their reputation in this direction has justly attained so high a standard that we shall class this one of the peculiar features of the township. Substantiating this is the highly commendable statement that no person has ever been fined in the township for the violation of law; neither was there ever an indictment found, or suit brought in the Circuit Court against any citizen of Lynn for a criminal offense. Her people, however, en- joy the elevating; influences of the churches in the surrounding towns, some of which are accessible to all parts of the township. The school buildings and the character of the schools of this township are second to none in Knox county. The soil of the township is fertile, well drained and supplied with timber, a beautiful grove being in its midst. On the southern edge of this grove, in the spring of 1830, Michael Fraker located, being the first settler in the northeastern part of the county. His original cabin, and the oldest house now standing in the county, erected in 1830, is occupied by R. Harrison. This same log house, when owned by Alden Bennett, was about twelve years ago adorned with blinds by E. Child, of Oneida, and to-day is one of the substantial farm houses of Lynn township. It was erected by Mr. Fraker on section 23, but at present stands on the northeast corner of section 16.

Passage source: History of Knox County, Illinois, published 1878.

The first couple to lead off in the matrimonial venture were William Hitchcock and Julia Fraker, who were married at Knoxville. Their commendable example was soon followed by those believing in the truth, " It is not good for man to be alone." Among these were Peter Miner and Matilda Smith. They were content to be married in the settlement, and the services were performed by 'Squire Fitch. These were the first of the kind in the township, and were conducted at the 'Squire's humble cabin.

Passage source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, published 1886.

William Dunbar opened a " public house," near the " Grove," not long after the settlement. It was largely patronized by people coming in from an easterly direction, looking up land and favorable locations to build homes for themselves. In 1846 Mr. Barlow opened 'ip his tavern at Fraker's Grove, on the southeast side. It became popular as a hostelry and was called the " Travelers' Home." It was all its name indicated, an abiding place to " the stranger

Passage source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, published 1886.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Lynn Township - it names this place 2 more 2 times.