Galesburg City Township (part 2 of 2)

Henderson was the first township in Knox county to be settled by white men. It is well watered by the branches which make up the head waters of Henderson river. Along these branches originally stood one of the finest groves of timber to be found anywhere in Illinois. Here was a favorite place for Indians, who had extensive fields of corn on sections 23 and 26, south of the Village of Henderson. These Indians were friendly and remained till the breaking out of the Black Hawk war, when they left without doing any serious harm. In February, 1828, Daniel Robertson came and settled first on section 15. But this land was claimed by a speculator an'd Mr. Robertson gave it up and settled on the southwest corner of section ii, where he lived most of his life. His brother, Alexander, came in a short time and settled on section 2, where he died in 1853. During the spring and summer, others came, among them were Jacob Gum, a Baptist minister, who preached the first sermon in 1829, at the residence of his son, John B. Gum, on section 32. This two-room log cabin was the first county court house. Here the first circuit court was held October i, 1830. The judge presiding was the Hon. Richard M. Young, afterward United States Senator. Here also the first county election was held, Mr. Gum being elected the first county treasurer.

Riggs Pennington came about this time, who became one of the most prominent men of northern Illinois - Philip Hash and Chas. Hansford. These three were the first county commissioners after the actual organization in 1830 - Stephen Osborn, the first sheriff - Parnac Owen, the first county surveyor - James Gum, Zephaniah Gum, whose child was the first native citizen of this settlement. Robert and Eaton Nance who settled on section 9. I '

..The first death in Knox county was that of a young man, Philip Nance, which occurred January 9, 1829, in Henderson township, and was buried on section 9. Thomas McKee, who came the fall before, was present at his death and funeral and was instrumental in erecting a suitable stone at the grave. A few years later, the people of the vicinity of Henderson raised money and erected an iron ^ fence around the grave.

The next year came James McMurtry with his sons, William and James, and their families, from Indiana. They came in August and settled on section 3, on a quarter they bought of Riggs Pennington, paying $1.25 per acre; but afterward had to repurchase to secure a clear title. It was on their farm, on the northeast 40 acres of section lo, that the entire neighborhood assisted in building a fort, which would protect them from the Indians, into this the surrounding families before and during the Black Hawk war would often gather. While there were often rumors of Indian uprisings and the settlers were constantly on the watch for them, they were never molested by them. A company of rangers was organized by Wm. McMurtry, who was their captain, to be ready to pursue the Indians in all directions if needed. William McMurtry became quite an active and prominent politician. He was a firm believer in the principles of the Demo- cratic party and a friend of Stephen A. Douglas. It was largely through him that the history of Henderson is so closely connected with the early history of the county and the state. He was active in the organization of Henderson township, April 5, 1853. In 1832 he was appointed commissioner of schools and proved a most excellent officer. He was state senator for many years and in 1848 was elected lieutenant-governor of Illinois, with Governor French. His full biography occurs in this history.

In 1830 several new families joined the settlement - Furguson, the Roundtrees, the Goflfs, Lewis and Davis with their families locating along the south part of the grove. The same year came Harmon Brown, from Kentucky, and settled on section 30 where he lived most of his life. Mr. Brown taught the .second school, 1833, on section 31. The first school in the county was at Henderson Grove in 1830, taught in a log house by Franklin B. Barber. This primitive school was without much system gotten up by the local residents simply for the instruction of their own children in the rudiments. Here the first school district was organized in 1836 under the management of Wm. McMurtry, the first school commissioner who always took an active interest in the early schools. He sold the school lands, invested the money and advanced the educational interests of the county very much. During the years 1831-32, quite a number of families came, among these were the Ferrises who put up a steam mill on Henderson Creek. This was quite an event, and the settlers felt they now had all they needed.

The first few years the settlers had to go to Rushville for their mail, about 75 miles. In 1838, a postoffice was established in the township on section 32, and John G. Sanburn was the first postmaster.

In 1836, the first of the Galesburg colony came. They located south of the grove and built up what afterward became distinguished as Log City on section 33. This settlement was only temporary and does not strictly belong to the history of Henderson township, but more to Galesburg, where they finally settled.

Henderson township contains some of the finest farming land in the state, and many substantial dwellings have taken the place of the primitive log cabins. In fact, the whole face of the township has changed till there is scarcely a trace of the wilderness where the foundations for homes were laid by those sturdy and daring pioneers, all of whom have passed away and their places are filled by the second and third generations.

The only village in this township is Henderson on section 14. It was laid out June II, 1835, and in 1838 was incorporated. In early days it was a flourishing place and there were great expectations for its future; but this future was not in the control of its citizens. Previous to building the railroad in 1854, which missed it a few miles, and subsequently caused its decline, it was an important place in the county and had the largest postoffice in the county, five stores, two shoeshops and four blacksmith shops. It commanded a large trade from the surrounding country. This trade was attracted to the railroad stations, the village steadily declined, until little remained. In 1886, the Rio branch of the C., B. & Q. railroad was constructed through the village and saved it from complete extinction and some improvements have recently been made.