Knox, Illinois

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 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 the 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 7J cents a pound. The first church organized in 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.

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

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 valuation of personal property in the township is $436,659.

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

Ancient Sparta, after which this township was probably named, existed before the Christian era 800 years, and was the capital of Laconia, and the rival of Athens in the history of ancient Greece. Sparta has been handed down through all history as a synonym of simplicity of personal habit, domestic economy and courage. Mr. Amos Wilmot is accredited with suggesting the name of Sparta for the township at its organization. Mr. Wilmot was born in Connecticut, March 3, 1802, and was one of the first settlers in the township. After a prosperous life of 76 years, and with a hope of a happy immortality, he died at his home Aug. 28, 1878.

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

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 Knox Township - it names this place 10 more 10 times.