Knox Township

Knox Township

In this township the first town in the county was laid oif. Adjoining Knoxville is the finely equipped county poor farm, the buildings of which are excelled in all their appointments by none in the State.

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.

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.

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.

Hezekiah Burford settled on section 23 in 1834. He is now in Monmouth, Oregon. Cyrus Bobbins, from New York, settled on section 5 in 1836. His two brothers Levy and Reuben settled on section 5 the same year. These brothers planted out a nursery, from

Asaph DeLong and Luman Field, from Yermont, and Wm. M. Heath from New York, settled on section 31 in 1836. Julius DeLong came from Yermont in January, 1838, and settled on the south half of the southwest quarter of section 31, the present home of his son, Hon. M. P. DeLong, who has represented his township at different times in various offices from the very first organization. He has been an active member of the Knox County Agricultural Society for fifteen years; was its president three years during that time; has served as Justice of the Peace three terms of four years each, and is now in the fourth term; was elected and served as Supervisor of his township in 187J:, when the farmers were organizing into farmers' clubs and granges throughout the Northwest, which in time became national, for the purpose of counter-balancing the influence of the giant monopolies of the railroads which existed at that time. We will refer to these organizations again farther along in the history of this township. The prairie fires in the early settlement of the township were something to be dreaded. The broad, wide-spreading prairies for untold years had lain beneath the sun and the showers, gathering richness, until the vegetable growth was something marvelous, and the tall native grasses would in places hide man and beast. And when a fire chanced to start in this waving ocean of dried and inflammable material, it was a sure messenger of death to every living thing or creature in its relentless course, unless due precaution had been previously exercised to guard against it. The roar of the flames when driven by a strong wind could be heard two and three miles away, as was the case one night when these early settlers were awakened by Miss Maria Field, daughter of Luman Field, and sister of the late Hon. Loyal C. Field, of Gale&burg. She, living with her parents near where Center Point now is, awakened about midnight, and discovering the danger of the settlement, ran from house to house, and gave the alarm. A fire had started at Red Oak, in Henry Co., 111., and now was rushing southward, two miles wide, before a furious wind from the north, with a terrible roar that will never be forgotten by those who heard it. Fortunately the citizens in this township being forewarned, were fore-armed and prepared to give battle when the fire came. Trenches and " back fire " and wet blankets were used to save the buildings, fences and stocks; and even then the heavy wind would carry wisps of burning grass so far that a continual effort was required until the billow of fire had passed.

James and Abram Neely came from Cayuga, New York, the latter in 1836, and made him a home on section 8. He now lives in Missouri. The former made a home on section 30, where he has since lived. Part of section 8 was afterwards occupied by T. G. Hadley, who originally came from " way down" in Maine. Also on section 8 may be found G. S. Hawkins, who was for many years a merchant in Henderson, also A. S. Fitch, who, with many others from this loyal township, was one of u the soldiers in blue" during the civil war. Section 8 also includes the premium farm owned by A. N. Phelps, Esq., and contains 200 acres without a foot of waste land. This farm was granted the first premium by the Illinois State Agricultural Society in 1868, and again in 1870. It had been awarded the first premium by the Knox County Agricultural Society previously for five successive years.

Mr. Phelps was born in Westfield, Mass., September 9, 1819. He came, with his mother and his two sisters, to Galesburg in 1836. The amount of his worldly possessions at that time was enough to buy a box stove and a cow, valued at $30. The eldest daughter became Mrs. G. Avery, of Galesburg, and the youngest the wife of B. Kilbourn, of Wisconsin. The mother died at Galesburg, November 23, 1855. The father, Aaron Noble Phelps. had died previous to the family's moving west, at Westfield, Mass., in March, 1830. He and his wife (Miss Clarissa Root) were married in 1814. Their only son, A. N. Phelps, and Miss Sarah J. Adams were married March 29, 1847, and moved to their present home in 1856, which has since taken the premiums already mentioned.

Johnson Babcock was born in 1770, in Rensselaer county, New York. Miss Zilpha Green was born near Poughkeepsie, New York. These two were united in marriage in 1796. Ransom Babcock, their son, was born September 20, 1822, and in 1839 he came from Onondaga county, New York, to Knox county, arriving at Galesburg the 12th of July; was married to Miss Mary Miller, September 1, 1842. Mrs. Babcock was born January 7, 1825, and is the daughter of James H. and Hannah (Preston) Miller, originally from New England, who came from Michigan to Knox county in 1838.

William S. Patterson, on section 18, is one of the most extensive farmers in the township. His single shipments of cattle and hogs have at times amounted to $30,000 or $40,000, especially during the civil war, when the price of live cattle was eight cents per pound, and live hogs ten and twelve cents per pound. He introduced many choice breeds of cattle and hogs. One car-load of short-horns were purchased by him in Kentucky and brought home in 1871. "William S. Patterson was born in Columbus, Ohio, December 13, 1825, and at Henderson, 111., September 30, 1834, was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Miller, whose parents were James H. and Hannah (Preston) Miller, natives of New England. Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Patterson moved to their present home in 1855.

William Williamson, one of the township commissioners for 1878, has also introduced the short-horn cattle on his farm. His residence is located on section 21.

Mr. Robson, the present supervisor, owns 500 acres of land. The Robson Bros, have been extensive shippers of stock. William Robson came to his present home in Sparta township in 1863, and he has made single shipments from Wataga station amounting to $35,000. He has also introduced short-horn cattle, Poland China and Berkshire hogs.

Niles Bros., whose residences are located on sections 21 and 19, are from Chatham, Columbia county, New York. They were proprietors of the Wataga mill for seven years before turning their attention to farming. They introduced the short-horn cattle on their farms in the spring of 1874 - 30 head that year - at a cost of from $100 to $500 each.

Mons Olson's home is located south of Wataga, on sections 28 and 33, and what is known as the Mound, which is one of those beautiful elevations that occur occasionally in this part of the Mississippi valley.

Anson Rowe, born in Vermont, carne to Center Point with his family in 1838, and settled on section 19. His son, Lorenzo Rowe, moved on his farm, section 19. in 1850.

One of the institutions of the township is the Wataga Nursery, temporarily begun by O. W. Hoif in 1864, and permanently established in 1869, on the southwest quarter of section 16, one block south of the Wataga Mills, by Hoif & Cooper, whose term of partnership was for five years, since which time O. W. HofF has owned and conducted it. Mr. H. has been in the business since January, 1858, working at first with T. K. Phoenix, at the Bloomington Nursery. He came from his native place, Greenbush, Rensselaer county, New7 York, in 1855.

The township was organized in 1853. Thomas H. Taylor was elected Supervisor, and was re-elected in 1851. Mr. Taylor was born July 14, 1815, on the Isle of Wight; came to New York in 1823, and to Sparta township in 1846; hauled the lumber for his house from La Salle, 111., 80 miles; shipped the first load of pork and wool through the Illinois canal; was appointed Postmaster under Buchanan, and resigned after holding the office three years; is now living on section 14.

Peter Davis was elected Supervisor in 1855, without opposition. Mr. Davis was born in 1801, in Kentucky, and came to Knox county in 1834; died at his home, in Sparta township, March 15, 1871.

J. W. Holyoke was elected Supervisor in 1856, and was re-elected for nine successive years; then he was elected Representative; then he was elected Supervisor four successive years; after an interval of four years was again elected Supervisor in 1875, which office he occupied for three years.

In 1872-3 the farmers began to organize throughout the States into clubs and granges. "The Sparta Farmers' Club" was organized in the Town Hall, March 1, 1873; adopted a constitution that was furnished in printed form to local clubs, and the following objects were embodied in Article II: "Its objects shall be improvement in the theory and practice of agriculture and horticulture; to promote the moral, intellectual, social, and pecuniary welfare of its members; and by active and cordial co-operation with other clubs, and with its county committee, to assist in carrying to a successful issue the objects of the State Association." Whatever they might be was not known to the general membership, - perhaps not to any in the local clubs; and it was generally thought that, to be consistent with the expressed objects of the clubs, none but agriculturists and horticulturists should be members. This caused a division of sentiment; for the merchants and lawyers claimed they should be made welcome, as "all their interests were in farms." The result was that at the first annual re-election of officers the County Farmers' Association was captured by the politicians, and a professional lawyer elected Supreme Judge. This diverted the attention of the people from the primary and meritorious

The first coal banks opened in the township were near where Charles "W. Rhodes now lives, sections 21 and 22. Levy James, A. A. Spooner, Lomas & Babcock, and others, took part in opening banks, until in 1855-6 there were about 40 banks; 30 of them near Wataga, and managed chiefly by Hqlyoke and Dolan. Also Taylor and Parkinson had quite a number of banks, at different times. About 1856 there were employed 250 men ; and probably 100,000 bushels of the " Black Diamonds " were put into the market annually from the deep ravine that runs east from the village. Of late there has not been so much mining in the coal fields at this point. There have been two shafts sunk near the C., B. & Q. R. R., on the west side, both of them about 80 feet deep. The one near the village, by the Illinois Carbon Coal Company, changed hands before completed, and has not been worked. The Sparta Steam Shaft is about -| a mile southwest of the village, on the east side. The shaft has been established about 7 years, and yields a good quality of coal. This is run at present by Peter .Dolan, who paid out for mining, during the month of September, 1878, $1,200. Banks have been opened on section 28, by H. Rommel and Oliver Stream, south of the village. About one mile east of the village there are banks worked by Robert Campbell, Andrew Johnson, Henry Bellamy, Peter Knight, Milo Tompkins, Robert Thompson, Ed. McDermot, Andrew Danielson, Lewis Nodine, James Taylor, and two or three others, whose names we do not have. Price of coal at the banks at the present time is 5£ cents per bushel of 80 Ibs. There have been but few accidents, comparatively, in the mines in Wataga or adjoining territory. Emanuel Harris lost his life by the bank caving in. Wm. Hitchey was fatally injured, May 18, 1857, in the air shaft, by the falling of clay. He lived but three or four days. Paul Convery, Nov. 23, 1859, lost his life by the bank caving in. Peter Cling, on the morning of Oct. 17, 1875, fell from the top of a shaft down some 71 feet. He lived, but had to have one leg, the left, amputated. A visitor from the East was down the Sparta Steam Shaft, when the platform started upward, and his head was caught between that and the wall of the shaft. The result was, he nearly lost his scalp and skull, but lived to report to his friends.

Source changes here: from Annals of Knox County : Commemorating Centennial of Admission of Illinois As a State of the Union in 1818, by Knox County (Ill.). Centennial Historical Association, published 1921; 2,516 words in this source stream.

Knox Township

Knox township, Knox county, Illinois, goes to par in this, the year of our Lord, 1919. In the early days of a century ago, as was mete and proper, counties and towns were named after famous generals of the wars of preceding years, and Knox county, Knox township and Knoxville have always pointed with pride to the brave General Henry Knox, a soldier of the war of the revolution, who commanded the storming party at the battle of Stony Point. After a major general and Washington's secretary of state this garden of Eden was named. "For there was nothing base or small, or craven, in his soul's broad plan." In his second annual message to the House of Representatives, November 6, 1818, President Monroe laid before that body for their advice and consent the several treaties which had been made with the twenty-five tribes of Indians. By reference to the journal of commissioners it appeared that George and Levi Calbert had bargained and sold to the United States the reservations made to them by the treaty of 1816, and that a deed of trust had been made by them to James Jackson of Nashville, Tennessee. He therefore suggested that in case the Chickasaw treaty was approved by the senate the propriety of providing for the payment of the sum stipulated to be given to them for their reservation. The land upon which Knox county was located was, therefore, ceded to the United States, August 30th, 1819, just a hundred years ago. The exact location of the township is number eleven north of range two east and is marked by the C, B. & Q. railway survey as being the highest point of land and almost equi-distant between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. According to the state records, Knoxville is the tenth town incorporated in the State of Illinois. The land is a rich, alluvial soil, being thoroughly drained on the south by Haw Creek and on the north by Court Creek. It was on this high point that the Indians and many friendly tribes, passing through from Peoria Lake to the Mississippi River, found a pleasant home, and there are many evidences that this point was their headquarters for many years. On the road which led north from Hebard street, recently closed, many arrow heads and chips of flint were found. The early settlers found a cleared plot of ground about a half mile north of town showing evidences of having been used for raising crops. Surrounding this field was a dense timber of white and black oak trees of immense size, growing so closely together that the sun could scarcely shine through the leaves. But closer and on the border of the clearing, was an abundance of wild fruit, including strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, while immense wild cherry, red and black haw trees bore fruit of most excellent quality and in great abundance. So carefully had this

Old Captain Stevens, a retired naval officer, who made his home in Knoxville, organized a cavalry company of young men of this community and it was on this spot of land that the company was drilled. When the boys were sufficiently skilled in military tactics, P. D. Rogers, for many years proprietor of the old Hebard House, was elected captain and they were ready to defend the people from incursions of all foes. Another company, with Captain Hale of the United States regular army, as drill master, was organized about the year 1855, and with their old muzzle-loading guns, they were so proficient that when the call to arms came in 1861, Knoxville was among the first to respond to the call by Lincoln for an army of defense. A little later a company of Zouaves was organized, but the calls for recruits were then so frequent that its members soon enlisted for "three years or during the war." At this time Knoxville was the county seat and this probably accounts for the fact that the town is credited with sending 547 soldiers to the front during the War of the Rebellion. When the call came for volunteers for the war with Spain, 29 Knox township boys responded. During the late World War, 132 responded from this township to fight for "freedom for all, forever."

It was in Knox township that the Indians spent their summers and harvested their crops, made their preparations for their annual hunt in the region now known as Wisconsin.

The east part of the State of Illinois in 1790 and the larger part of Indiana was once named Knox county, but by a change, in boundaries, Knox was joined to Fulton county.

Knoxville was a stopping place and trading point for the Indians who lived in or traded through this locality 75 and more years ago. Sam McFarland, who lived in Chestnut township, tells of coming to Knoxville 77 years ago with his father to see a tribe of Indians pass through this place, it being the only town of importance between the two rivers. The Black Hawk Indians were in the habit of coming down from Rock Island with a supply of beaded moccasins and other specimens of their work to sell to the visitors here. Where less than a century ago wolves and deer roamed in the wild country, now thousands of sleek cattle browse on the rich pastures.

The first child born in Knox township was Grace Hansford, whose married name was Shock. She was the daughter of Dr. Charles Hansford, our first physician, and she was bom in 1834. E. T. Eads, a son of John Eads, was the first boy born in this city and he first saw the light of day in 1835.

Harvey Montgomery, who is now living on the spot where he was born, is the oldest child in the township, and has probably lived longer in the county than any other person now alive. The date of his birth is 1834. He is the largest land owner in the town, having more than 1,200 acres upon which he pays taxes. Jacob Gum came here from Menard county in 1827. He was the first student of the first school taught in the county. The first couple married here was Alexander Osborne and Ann Hendricks, who were united in the hold bonds of matrimony July 1, 1829.

Our first postoffice was established in 1831, and John G. Sanburn was our first postmaster. The first observance of Independence Day was in what is now known as Gilbert's Park on July 4, 1836, and Hon. James Knox was the orator of the day. The display of fireworks was on the prairie north of the Knoxville Old Ladies' Home. Balls of candle wicking were soaked in what was then known as coal oil and they were lighted and thrown from one side of the lawn to the other. When the balls began to unravel and streams of fire were seen flying from one to the other.

The first meeting of the board of supervisors was in Knoxville in 1853, The first session of the circuit court was held October 1, 1830, Judge Richard M. Young, presiding. The first jail was built in 1832 at a cost of $250, J. G. Sanburn being the builder and contractor.

The first men tried for murder in the county was John Root, a Henry county man. John M. Osborn was the only man ever hung in Knox county, suffering the death penalty for the murder of Adelia M. Matthews, at Yates City, August 5, 1872.

Our first hotel was built on the corner of the public square and West Main street and was owned and kept by William Newman. R. L. Hannaman was Knox township's first lawyer, coming here in 1831. The first court house was built in 1831, at a cost of $393.43. Our first alms house was built in 1856. The Old Settlers' association was orgnized in Knoxville in 1867. The Knox County Agricultural Board was organized in 1851.

The first mayor of Knoxville was James Price. Knoxville has long been an educational center, Ewing Female University was established in 1859, and St. Mary's school has been in exsitence since ever since. There are many interesting stories of people of the early days. Daniel Fuqua came to this place in 1830 - the year of the big snow, when the snow was three feet deep on the level and all roads were badly drifted.

Uncle Dick Haney, an old-time Methodist minister, tells of a sight which he witnessed in the early days, when he went into a cabin and saw there a woman running a spinning wheel with one foot, rocking a cradle with the other, her hands meanwhile being engaged, one in churning, the other holding the flax as it was made into yarn. To some this stor\^ seems like a fable, but the truth of the statement was vouched for by others present, the lady being none other than the wife of Uncle Daniel Fuqua, who, in a reminiscent way, related to the old settlers' secretaiy that he came to Knox county May 2, 1830, landing at Henderson Grove, coming from Kentucky with oxen and horses, and lived in an old log cabin the first six months. He took possession of a small clearing of about seven acres and raised a crop of corn. It made about 50 bushels to the acre and it was all that was needed for the family use! He took a land claim in the fall and built a double log house on the land. In those days there was no need of fraternal organizations, for as soon as a newcomer arrived, provisions were prepared and for miles around they assembled to give what was usually a very home-sick family a hearty welcome to the new home. At this time there was not a town in Knox county, but shortly afterwards the house of John Gum was used in which to transact business.

In 1831 Knoxville was laid out and the court house was established in a log cabin, the only houses then known. In the fall of 1830 he broke up five acres of land, sowed wheat and raised 250 bushels. Horses trampled out the grain and a sheet was the fanning mill. This was the winter of the big snow, three feet deep on the level. This made traveling almost impossible, but with plenty of corn and an abundance of wild game, such as deer, squirrels, wild turkeys and chickens they lived in what would now be considered the most profligate luxury. The tediousness of life was relieved by going to mill. There was a good water mill at Rock Island, about 60 miles away, another on Spoon River, in Fulton county, a third in Stark county and still another in Warren county. The time spent in these long travels was not considered lost, for this was their only opportunity to get a glimpe of the outside world. Human nature, then, as now, ever sought companionship.

The first ripple in the quiet life of those early inhabitants was the breaking out in 1831 of the Black Hawk War. The Indians were feared and dreaded, and to protect the families Fort Gum was built near Henderson. After a short time their fears were allayed and they returned to their homes. In 1832 block houses were built in different parts of the county and a company was enlisted. Looms were seen in almost every cabin, and until sheep could be reared, the clothing was all of flax and cotton. They made a virtue of necessity and lived within themselves, for money was a scarce article in 1830. Everything was barter and trade. What little money they had was used to pay taxes. Each of the few first families brought with them a few cooking implements, but soon the young people began to mate, and then the houses that enjoyed two cooking implements was fortunate, indeed, for then they could divide with the young people. There being no stoves, fire places were used to cook over, the kettle hanging from a crane and the hoe cake taking on that delicious toothsome brown while reposing in depths of hot ashes. "How dear to my heart," said the old gentleman, as he waxed into a reminiscent mood, "is the memory of my first attempts at founding a home. I had attained the mature age of 19 years and my dear wife of blessed memory was a demure maiden of almost 16, the most beautiful woman and the best the Lord had ever made, whose life of love and constancy continued through 52 short but happy years. With what happy expectation I watched her boil water for coffee in an old cast iron skillet, which was then used to fry the venison, which was kept warm on the cover, while the same faithful utensil did triple duty on baking our bread. Our daughters have a local reputation as good cooks, it is true, but none of them have been able to furnish me a feast so delectable and satisfying as was this, the first repast eaten with thankfulness and joy under vine and fig tree.

Our first furniture was indeed crude, but tired nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep, was just as refreshing upon a bed of clapboards, held in position by poles inserted in holes in the logs of our 14x16 cabin. A clapboard table was a luxuiy, the making and using of which was enjoyed and stools and benches served instead of the present divans and upholstered rockers.

"There were no churches in those days, but occasional services were enjoyed at a centrally located cabin, where all seemed to be fervent in the worship of the Lord, and who shall blame us if, as now the case, these occasions were often used to form acquaintances which often resulted in happy alliance? Matches are made in heaven, it is said; I know there were heavenly matches made in the old log cabins in those days."

Politics in Knoxville were always of the independent kind. While the Republicans usually have a plurality of about 200 when general elections were held, in spite of the fact that in the county the Democratic vote only varied 29 in five years, and the Republican vote only 49, a Democrat has represented Knox township more terms on the board of supervisors than have Republicans.

Knoxville has always been considered the center of agricultural industry. She looks down upon a century of achievement with a pride that is little short of devotion, and having given to the world such men as Judge Craig, of the Illinois Supreme court ; Hon. James Knox and Hon, J. H. Lewis to the halls of the nation's congress ; Hon, R, W. Miles, Hon, P, H, Sanford, Julius Manning and Henry J, Runkle to grace the halls of Illinois legislature, she feels that she has done her full share in furnishing men and names by which this great commonwealth has taken its high place upon the topmost round,