By M. B. Hardin

      Probably the first white man to visit Indian Point Township with a view to making his home within its boundaries was Azel Dossey, who entered it from Cedar in 1829, but remained only a few years. The first permanent settlement was made five years later, by John C. Latimer, who, in 1834, emigrated from Tennessee with his family. About the same time John H. Lomax came from Kentucky and settled in Section 7, and Stephen Howard, of the same State, who, with his family, settled on Section 6, putting up the first log cabin on that section. The next arrivals were in the following year (1835), when John Howard, Isaac and Alexander Latimer, and John Crawford pre-empted claims on Section 16. Mr. Crawford was a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Two years later, Alexander Latimer sold his claim to Daniel Meek, and removed to Cedar. With Mr. Meek came John Killiam, who settled on Sections 15 and 22. Henry D. Russell emigrated from Virginia at about the same time, and entered a claim in Section 24, where he lived for more than a quarter of a century, erecting the first brick house in the township in 1844. He was a thorough farmer, and his farm was one of the finest in the county. Early in the sixties he sold it to James R. Johnston, removing to Abingdon, and later to Kansas. Others followed, and the population of the new settlement began to grow space. Merriweather Brown made his clearing in Section 7, and Bartlett Boydstrom on Section 17. Mr. Brown became a prominent citizen, and was at one time County Commissioner; and Mr. Boydstrom’s son, William A., is superintendent of the building and bridge department of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Company, at Galesburg. In 1837 John Howard disposed of his claim to John Davidge, who had moved into the township from Woodford County.

      Among those who at this period—and for many years afterward—were reckoned leading men, may be mentioned Daniel Meek, to whom reference has been already made. He was an extensive breeder of fine live stock, and took a lively interest in public affairs. At different times he held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Supervisor and County Commissioner.

      It is of interest to recall the names of these early pioneers and to bring to mind the memory of their stalwart virtues and their power of hardy endurance, but the imperative necessity for the curtailment of space forbids more than a passing mention of many whose names are as a household word in the township. John Shumaker, Sr., settled on Section 12, in 1837. He was the father of a large family, of whom one son, James, lives in the same locality at the present time. Charles Fielder settled in the southern part of the township in 1838; and John Vertrees and William Stewart in 1839. That same year arrived Timothy and Julius Shay, who moved from Section 6 to Section 28 in 1844. George Hunt came in 1840; John Crowell in 1841; George Bowden, who settled in Section 14, in 1843; William Crawford, in 1844; and Charles Smith, who settled in Section 24 in 1846. Among others who came in the late forties and early fifties were Seth Bellwood, John Christopher, Silas Roe, Jacob Miller, Hugh Lowrey and George Cox. John Brown came in 1853. He has three sons, who, like himself, became prosperous farmers, and a daughter, who is the wife of J. Warren Dawley.

      The early settlers encountered no Indians, although traces of aboriginal occupation were plainly discernible on every side. They found remains of the wigwams of the red men, together with innumerable flints, arrow and spear heads, axes and other implements of domestic or warlike use among savage tribes. It was the abundance of these relics that gave the locality its name—“Indian Point.” Comparatively little timber was found by the pioneers, and this grew chiefly in Sections 31 and 36, along the borders of Indian and Cedar creeks and of the small streams which were their tributaries. They did, however, find well watered, rolling prairies, with rich, arable soil, of dark color, which held out promises which both the past and present have richly fulfilled. Today Indian Point is one of the most fertile and highly cultivated townships in the county. Its fertility may be ascribed to Nature and to Nature’s God; its cultivation is due to the patient toil and resolute perseverance of its citizens. The highest point of elevation is on Mount Hope farm, owned by R. E. Ward, from which may be obtained a view extending twelve miles to the east and commanding most of Indian Point, part of Cedar and Orange and all of Chestnut Hill townships. A noteworthy feature of the agricultural interests at the present time is that nearly, if not quite, one-third of the farms are leased to tenants, the owners having either retired from active pursuits or taken up a residence where better educational advantages are obtainable for their children.

      Most of the farmers are engaged in the raising of cereals and the propagation and marketing of live stock. Among those who stand foremost in these lines may be named W. W. Byram, Robert Byram, J. W. Dawley, J. Warren Dawley, Robert Smith, James Bowton, George and Thomas Brown, William Cable, Frank Hall, T. H. Roe, and Mr. Johnson. A fine breed of short-horn cattle is extensively raised and sold by J. W. Dawley and Son, on whose stock farm is also raised a large number of colts of Norman blood. W. W. and Robert Byram also deal largely in choice colts of this breed, raised by themselves. The breeding of fine Poland-China hogs is a feature on the farms of Indian Point. This is made a specialty by J. W. Lomax, J. L. Cashman, and Charles and Robert Shumaker.

      The first birth in the township was a girl-baby, born to John H. and Nancy Lomax, in 1835; the second was also a daughter, sent to John C. and Nancy Latimer, the birthdays of the two children being not far apart. The first marriage was that of William Ogden to Damantha Roberts, which was solemnized Oct. 19, 1837 by Justice John Terry, of Chestnut Township. The first death to occur was that of Mr. Hubbard, who had settled in Section 16 in 1838. He died there, and his was the first interment in Indian Point cemetery.

      The first public Protestant religious services held in the township, of which any record has been preserved, were conducted by Rev. John Crawford, a Cumberland Presbyterian clergyman, who has been already named as one of the earliest settlers. They were held at the house of John Howard. In 1848 the first church organization (and the only one ever formed outside of Abingdon and St. Augustine) was effected, under the guidance of Rev. Mr. Williams, of the Methodist Protestant denomination, at the “Valley School House.” The body disbanded in 1858. Subsequently the Methodist Episcopal Church organized a “class,” but it did not long continue in existence. A Roman Catholic mission was established at the present site of St. Augustine at a comparatively early date. It was visited by Father St. Cyrid in 1837. A building was erected, and dedicated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Kendrick of St. Louis, in 1843. Twenty years later a new structure was built. The present value of the church’s holdings of real estate is ten thousand dollars, the property being free of debt.

      The first school was opened in the winter of 1837-38, its teacher being Dennis Clark, who, together with Jonathan Latimer, broke the first ground on the prairie in Section 6, in 1835. Mr. Clark was afterwards elevated to the bench, and is still living in the township. At that time the school district embraced all of Indian Point, together with a part of Warren County, and the original school house was constructed, after a solid fashion, of logs, and located in Section 16. The first winter’s roll contained the names of thirty pupils.

      Township organization was effected on April 5, 1853, at a meeting at which Samuel H. Ritchey was Moderator and Thomas A. Baldwin Clerk. The first officers elected were: Daniel Meek, Supervisor; Dennis Clark, Clerk; S. H. Ritchey, Assessor; Jefferson M. Dawley, Collector; and Henry Ground and Charles Williams, Justices of the Peace.

      At present (1899) the township is crossed by two railroads—the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy and the Central Iowa—affording easy access for crops and stocks to all the great markets of the northwest and southwest. In earlier days, Copperas Creek and Peoria, on the Illinois, Oquawka, on the Mississippi, and Chicago divided the trade. An illustration of commercial methods before the advent of railways may be of interest. William Stewart and Daniel Meek hauled the first load of wheat to Chicago. They sold it for twenty-five cents a bushel; bought salt with the proceeds; carted the salt back to Indian Point, and disposed of it at a profit which they considered amply satisfactory.

      The first two villages to spring up (and the principal ones today) were and are Abingdon, on the northern line, and St. Augustine, in the south. A description of the latter—somewhat in detail—is given in a succeeding paragraph.

      Of the old time settlers of the township, but one is left—Judge Dennis Clark, of South Abingdon. The most venerable inhabitant, however, is Marsham Lucas, who has attained the extraordinary age of 96 years, and whose remarkable strength gives promise of his rounding out a century.

      The population of the township, as shown by the United States census returns, increased from 218 in 1840, to 1,946 in 1890. The figures given during the intermediate decades were: 1860, 1,195; in 1870, 1,854; in 1880, 1,725. At present (1899) it is estimated at 1,100, exclusive of Abingdon and St. Augustine.

      Outside of these towns there are six school houses (five frame and one of brick), valued at seven thousand dollars, in each of which the school terms extend over eight months.

ST. AUGUSTINE

      The site of St. Augustine, Fulton County, known as old St. Augustine, was first occupied by Osten Mattingly and Samuel Smith, in 1835. They named the settlement after St. Augustine, the apostle of Africa. Mr. Smith returned to Kentucky in 1837, and Henry Mattingly arrived about the same time. The latter was born in Maryland, in 1797, and Osten one year later. They came to Illinois from Kentucky, where their parents had settled. The brothers formed a partnership and opened a store, and it was not long before a thriving settlement sprang up. When the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was built, the company found a side track could not be built nearer the village than the site of the present depot. Consequently, business soon drifted away from the old town. In 1854, the original village of what, not improperly, may be called new St. Augustine was laid out, and a survey made by E. T. Byram in 1856. Mattingly’s first addition was made in 1857. The site is one-half mile north of the old village, in Section 32, of Indian Point.

      The place contains four general stores, conducted by enterprising business men, and two churches, Catholic and Christian.

      April 29, 1897, a disastrous fire destroyed about two-thirds of the business portion of the village. But the inhabitants are industrious and progressive, and probably the loss will soon be repaired. The present population is about three hundred. In 1880 it was two hundred and eighty-nine; in 1890, two hundred and fifty-five.

      The St. Augustine Camp of Modern Woodmen was organized September 24, 1896, with sixteen members. The first officers were: James Tamney, V. C.; M. J. Babbitt, W. A.; H. V. Harrod, E. B.; J. W. Decker, Clerk. The present membership is twenty-eight, and the officers are: James Tamney, V. C.; M. J. Babbitt, W. A.; G. H. Babbitt, E. B.; and H.V. Harrod, Clerk.

By H. M. Reece       The surface of Chestnut is much broken, and it is frequently described as being one of the “rough” townships of the county. The fact is probably attributable to the number of small streams which flow through it, watering it well. The chief of these are the Spoon River, Haw and Brush creeks, and a large creek—not named—a little south of Hermon. The soil is fertile and the land (very nearly one-half of which was originally covered with timber) is generally well cleared.       The township lies in the southern part of Knox, on the boundary line of Fulton County. It is crossed by two railroads; the Fulton County narrow gauge line passes through it on a very nearly central north and south line, while the Iowa Central crosses its southwestern corner.       The earliest settler was Anson Dolph, who came from Kentucky in 1833. He raised a crop of wheat that year on Section 17, and in 1834 came as a permanent settler. In the year last named came also John Terry, from Virginia, who settled on Section 16 and became the first Justice of the Peace. He enjoyed the distinction of having performed the first marriage ceremony in the township, the contracting parties being a Mr. Gay and a Miss Cope, whose wish for a legal union was sufficiently strong to induce them to ride a long distance on a single horse. Those early marriages often presented romantic features wholly wanting the fashionable weddings of these days of purer refinement and higher civilization. To illustrate: one of the marriages solemnized by Squire Terry was that of a couple who stood on one bank of the Spoon River, while he pronounced the fateful words on the other, the stream being too swollen to permit either party to cross to the opposite bank. Mr. Terry afterward engaged in trade, and amassed what, in those times, was regarded as an independent fortune.       In 1836, Robert Leigh and Archibald Long came from Ohio and settled on Section 33, where Mr. Leigh remained until his death. Soon after his arrival he commenced raising hemp, and, there being no market for the raw product, he constructed a factory of a rude description, where he manufactured his own and his neighbor’s hemp crops into rope. For a time the industry proved very profitable; and he too, amassed a comfortable fortune. Mr. Long, soon after settling on Section 33, removed to Section 19, where, in 1842, he platted the village of Hermon.       He was a local Methodist preacher, and soon after his arrival at his new home he organized a Methodist class, which met regularly at his house for many years. Of this devoted band only one is yet living—Mrs. Sally Shafer. The history of the growth of the Methodist Church in Chestnut—as well as that of other denominations—may be found on one of the succeeding pages.       Among the early settlers should be also mentioned O. P. Barton. He was famous in those times as a pedestrian, and gave repeated evidence of his prowess and power of endurance in this description of exercise. Once, starting on foot at the same time with several horsemen for the land office at Quincy, one hundred miles distant, he outstripped them all, securing the prize offered to the winner of the race, which consisted of forty acres of government land in Section 17. Another pioneer was Harmon Way, who was famous as a marksman and hunter.       The first house was built of logs by Mr. Dolph on Section 17, in 1833. The first brick house was that of Robert Leigh, erected about 1845. The first road was the old State road, from Peoria to Oquawka, which ran diagonally through the township from southeast to northwest. Its course, however, has been since changed, so that it now follows section lines. The first bridge was built about 1846, at the point where the old road crosses Spoon River. It was a very cumbersome, wooden affair, which was carried away and demolished by a flood in 1855.       The first birth was a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Shaver, in 1835. The first death was that of Jacob Harford in 1836.       The first graveyard was on Section 33, and was established by Robert Leigh, soon after he settled on the section. It is not now used as a burial spot, although the few graves there are well cared for by his son Benjamin, who is a prominent citizen of the township. Two other cemeteries have been laid out, as follows: One on Section 19, near the Methodist Church, by Archibald Long, which has been several times enlarged; the other, in 1863, by the trustees of the Christian Church, near their house of worship on Section 18.       The first school house, after the fashion of those early days, was built of logs, and was exceedingly rude, as regarded both its exterior and interior. It was put up in 1836, and some years afterward was replaced by a frame building, which, after undergoing many alterations, is still used as the school house of District No. 3. Two years later (1838) the second school house, likewise of logs, was built on Section 28. It disappeared long ago, and the site is now occupied by the church of the United Brethren. The first school teacher to exercise his vocation was Mr. Haskins, who taught in what is now District No. 3. At present the township has eight schools, none of them graded, occupying buildings valued at six thousand, five hundred dollars. The aggregate attendance is two hundred and forty-three, out of a total population of three hundred and eighty-six minors.       The first mill was built by Mr. Howard on Haw Creek, about 1845. It was designed both for sawing lumber and grinding corn, but was only used a few years and has long since been only a memory. There was also a saw mill on Litler’s Creek, on Section 25, about the same time, which has shared the same fate. Early in the forties, Mr. Parker manufactured brick on Section 23 for several years.       The first store was kept by John Terry on Section 16, and its stock was very limited. A Mr. Moor early established another on Section 15, but it proved unsuccessful, and he soon abandoned the enterprise.       One of the earliest taverns was kept by Jonathan Potts, on Section 22, on the old State road. The first physician was Dr. Porter, who came in 1838 and remained but a short time. He was succeeded by Dr. Morris, and he, in turn, by Dr. Wilson. At present the health of the town is looked after by Drs. McMaster and Browning.       The first settlers of the township were compelled to depend on Troy, in Fulton County, and on Knoxville, then the county seat, for postal facilities; but in 1848 a post office was established at Hermon, the mail being brought from Knoxville once a week. The first postmaster was a Mr. Massie.       The township was organized at a meeting held in 1857, by the choice of the following officers: Samuel Collins, Supervisor; John Terry and David Massie, Justices of the Peace; Mr. McCoy, Clerk; William Graves and Freeman West, Constables; Robert Benson, Collector; and Owen Betterton, Assessor.       For a complete list of supervisors since the organization of the township, the reader is referred to the article on “County Government”, in Part I.       Justices of the Peace since the first elected have been Owen Betterton, Hiram Culver, Walter Bond, Samuel Jamison, Henry Bond, George Haver, Marion Dyer, T. J. Routh, Clayton Trumbeel, J. W. Ogden, and John E. Davis and Lee Lucas, the present dispensers of justice for the township.       There is but one village in Chestnut, originally called Harrisonville, but now known as Hermon; a somewhat detailed description of which is given in a succeeding paragraph. A village was laid out in Section 23, in 1852, by Andrew J. Parker. It was situated on the right bank of the Spoon, near where the present bridge crosses that stream. It never grew, and the plat was vacated by the legislature in 1869.       Four denominations have churches in the township—the Methodist Episcopal, Christian, United Brethren, and Baptist. The first of these, in order in time, was the Methodist. Reference has been already made to the class established by Mr. Archibald Long, an early settler and local preacher. Through his efforts a modest church building was erected in 1842, and eight years later the congregation built their present commodious house of worship. Its original membership was thirty, and this has been increased to eighty. Rev. W. S. Welsh, a minister noted for piety and eloquence, is the present pastor, and Rev. G. W. Shafer is class leader.       The Baptist Society was organized early in the forties, by Elders A. Gogorth and C. Humphrey, and for a while numbered about forty. Of late years it has lost through deaths and removals, until only a few remain. They nevertheless maintain their organization, and monthly services are conducted by Rev. S. H. Humphrey.       The Christian Church in the township was organized in 1854, by Revs. John Miller and Gaston. The first officers were: Jonathan Price and A. L. Reece, Elders; and Joseph Rauth and Charles Smith, Deacons. At the outset the membership was about thirty, and services were held in the school house for the first ten years. At the end of that time the congregation erected their present comfortable house. The present membership is about one hundred, and the officers are: Joseph Beery and J. W. Odgen, Elders; Charles Martin, Edwin, John and C. E. Routh, Deacons; Mrs. Kate Routh, Sally Moon, and Ophelia Bliss, Deaconesses.       The Church of the United Brethren was organized in 1859, and the denomination has a well-built edifice, on Section 28. The present membership is about forty. Rev. Mr. White is pastor.       The population of Chestnut Township, as shown by the United States Census returns, at stated intervals, has been as follows: 1840, 335; in 1860, 1,268; in 1870, 1,144; in 1880, 1,087; in 1890, 919.       One veteran of the Mexican War—W. W. McMaster—resides within its limits. It furnished its full quota under each call during the War of the Rebellion, besides a number of volunteers who were credited to other localities. School district No. 5 sent thirty-eight men to the front, of whom three were given commissions on the score of bravery in action, viz:--Davis Vulgamore, made Captain, and Samuel Way, Lieutenant, in the Seventh Illinois Cavalry; and John Hall, Lieutenant in the Eighty-sixth Infantry Volunteers. Hermon       The village of Hermon was platted by Archibald Long, May 3, 1842. A fairly good clue to Mr. Long’s politics is afforded by the fact that he named it Harrisonville. It did not grow rapidly at first, the United States census giving the place a population of only 84 in 1850, eight years after it had been platted. The change of name was made in 1848, on the establishment of a post office. For several years it was more or less of a business place, but the rapid development of Knoxville and Abingdon, with their better railroad facilities, sounded its death knell. Today it is nothing more than a dull, country post office, on the line of the Iowa Central Railway. It can boast of two general stores, a blacksmith shop, and two churches.       The Independent Order of Odd Fellows has a flourishing lodge, as also has the order of Modern American Woodmen. The former was instituted August 31, 1875, the charter members being C. E. Edmonson, S. P. Moon, Daniel Landes, Charles Thomas, and H. M. Reece. Of these only the last named is yet living. The first officers were: S. P. Moon, N.G.; Daniel Landis, V.G.; C. B. Edmonson, Secretary; and H. M. Reece, Treasurer. The present officers are: David E. McMaster, N.G.; S. C. Pattengill, V.G.; Charles Scaver and H. M. Reece, Secretaries; Samuel Pattengill, Treasurer. The lodge owns its own hall and has a surplus of nearly twelve hundred dollars in its treasury. The present membership is the smallest since the institution, numbering only twelve.       The Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America was organized July 23, 1896, with fifteen charter members, and the following officers: John Smith, V.C.; A. L. Browning, W. A.; W. D. T. Moon, Banker. There are now twenty-five members, with the following officers: John Smith, V.C.; Ira Rogers, W.A.; W.D. T. Moon, Banker; and A.L. Browning, Clerk.

 

The surface of Chestnut is much broken, and it is frequently described as being one of the “rough” townships of the county. The fact is probably attributable to the number of small streams which flow through it, watering it well. The chief of these are the Spoon River, Haw and Brush creeks, and a large creek—not named—a little south of Hermon. The soil is fertile and the land (very nearly one-half of which was originally covered with timber) is generally well cleared.

      The township lies in the southern part of Knox, on the boundary line of Fulton County. It is crossed by two railroads; the Fulton County narrow gauge line passes through it on a very nearly central north and south line, while the Iowa Central crosses its southwestern corner.

      The earliest settler was Anson Dolph, who came from Kentucky in 1833. He raised a crop of wheat that year on Section 17, and in 1834 came as a permanent settler. In the year last named came also John Terry, from Virginia, who settled on Section 16 and became the first Justice of the Peace. He enjoyed the distinction of having performed the first marriage ceremony in the township, the contracting parties being a Mr. Gay and a Miss Cope, whose wish for a legal union was sufficiently strong to induce them to ride a long distance on a single horse. Those early marriages often presented romantic features wholly wanting the fashionable weddings of these days of purer refinement and higher civilization. To illustrate: one of the marriages solemnized by Squire Terry was that of a couple who stood on one bank of the Spoon River, while he pronounced the fateful words on the other, the stream being too swollen to permit either party to cross to the opposite bank. Mr. Terry afterward engaged in trade, and amassed what, in those times, was regarded as an independent fortune.

      In 1836, Robert Leigh and Archibald Long came from Ohio and settled on Section 33, where Mr. Leigh remained until his death. Soon after his arrival he commenced raising hemp, and, there being no market for the raw product, he constructed a factory of a rude description, where he manufactured his own and his neighbor’s hemp crops into rope. For a time the industry proved very profitable; and he too, amassed a comfortable fortune. Mr. Long, soon after settling on Section 33, removed to Section 19, where, in 1842, he platted the village of Hermon.

      He was a local Methodist preacher, and soon after his arrival at his new home he organized a Methodist class, which met regularly at his house for many years. Of this devoted band only one is yet living—Mrs. Sally Shafer. The history of the growth of the Methodist Church in Chestnut—as well as that of other denominations—may be found on one of the succeeding pages.

      Among the early settlers should be also mentioned O. P. Barton. He was famous in those times as a pedestrian, and gave repeated evidence of his prowess and power of endurance in this description of exercise. Once, starting on foot at the same time with several horsemen for the land office at Quincy, one hundred miles distant, he outstripped them all, securing the prize offered to the winner of the race, which consisted of forty acres of government land in Section 17. Another pioneer was Harmon Way, who was famous as a marksman and hunter.

      The first house was built of logs by Mr. Dolph on Section 17, in 1833. The first brick house was that of Robert Leigh, erected about 1845. The first road was the old State road, from Peoria to Oquawka, which ran diagonally through the township from southeast to northwest. Its course, however, has been since changed, so that it now follows section lines. The first bridge was built about 1846, at the point where the old road crosses Spoon River. It was a very cumbersome, wooden affair, which was carried away and demolished by a flood in 1855.

      The first birth was a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Shaver, in 1835. The first death was that of Jacob Harford in 1836.

      The first graveyard was on Section 33, and was established by Robert Leigh, soon after he settled on the section. It is not now used as a burial spot, although the few graves there are well cared for by his son Benjamin, who is a prominent citizen of the township. Two other cemeteries have been laid out, as follows: One on Section 19, near the Methodist Church, by Archibald Long, which has been several times enlarged; the other, in 1863, by the trustees of the Christian Church, near their house of worship on Section 18.

      The first school house, after the fashion of those early days, was built of logs, and was exceedingly rude, as regarded both its exterior and interior. It was put up in 1836, and some years afterward was replaced by a frame building, which, after undergoing many alterations, is still used as the school house of District No. 3. Two years later (1838) the second school house, likewise of logs, was built on Section 28. It disappeared long ago, and the site is now occupied by the church of the United Brethren. The first school teacher to exercise his vocation was Mr. Haskins, who taught in what is now District No. 3. At present the township has eight schools, none of them graded, occupying buildings valued at six thousand, five hundred dollars. The aggregate attendance is two hundred and forty-three, out of a total population of three hundred and eighty-six minors.

      The first mill was built by Mr. Howard on Haw Creek, about 1845. It was designed both for sawing lumber and grinding corn, but was only used a few years and has long since been only a memory. There was also a saw mill on Litler’s Creek, on Section 25, about the same time, which has shared the same fate. Early in the forties, Mr. Parker manufactured brick on Section 23 for several years.

      The first store was kept by John Terry on Section 16, and its stock was very limited. A Mr. Moor early established another on Section 15, but it proved unsuccessful, and he soon abandoned the enterprise.

      One of the earliest taverns was kept by Jonathan Potts, on Section 22, on the old State road. The first physician was Dr. Porter, who came in 1838 and remained but a short time. He was succeeded by Dr. Morris, and he, in turn, by Dr. Wilson. At present the health of the town is looked after by Drs. McMaster and Browning.

      The first settlers of the township were compelled to depend on Troy, in Fulton County, and on Knoxville, then the county seat, for postal facilities; but in 1848 a post office was established at Hermon, the mail being brought from Knoxville once a week. The first postmaster was a Mr. Massie.

      The township was organized at a meeting held in 1857, by the choice of the following officers: Samuel Collins, Supervisor; John Terry and David Massie, Justices of the Peace; Mr. McCoy, Clerk; William Graves and Freeman West, Constables; Robert Benson, Collector; and Owen Betterton, Assessor.

      For a complete list of supervisors since the organization of the township, the reader is referred to the article on “County Government”, in Part I.

      Justices of the Peace since the first elected have been Owen Betterton, Hiram Culver, Walter Bond, Samuel Jamison, Henry Bond, George Haver, Marion Dyer, T. J. Routh, Clayton Trumbeel, J. W. Ogden, and John E. Davis and Lee Lucas, the present dispensers of justice for the township.

      There is but one village in Chestnut, originally called Harrisonville, but now known as Hermon; a somewhat detailed description of which is given in a succeeding paragraph. A village was laid out in Section 23, in 1852, by Andrew J. Parker. It was situated on the right bank of the Spoon, near where the present bridge crosses that stream. It never grew, and the plat was vacated by the legislature in 1869.

      Four denominations have churches in the township—the Methodist Episcopal, Christian, United Brethren, and Baptist. The first of these, in order in time, was the Methodist. Reference has been already made to the class established by Mr. Archibald Long, an early settler and local preacher. Through his efforts a modest church building was erected in 1842, and eight years later the congregation built their present commodious house of worship. Its original membership was thirty, and this has been increased to eighty. Rev. W. S. Welsh, a minister noted for piety and eloquence, is the present pastor, and Rev. G. W. Shafer is class leader.

      The Baptist Society was organized early in the forties, by Elders A. Gogorth and C. Humphrey, and for a while numbered about forty. Of late years it has lost through deaths and removals, until only a few remain. They nevertheless maintain their organization, and monthly services are conducted by Rev. S. H. Humphrey.

      The Christian Church in the township was organized in 1854, by Revs. John Miller and Gaston. The first officers were: Jonathan Price and A. L. Reece, Elders; and Joseph Rauth and Charles Smith, Deacons. At the outset the membership was about thirty, and services were held in the school house for the first ten years. At the end of that time the congregation erected their present comfortable house. The present membership is about one hundred, and the officers are: Joseph Beery and J. W. Odgen, Elders; Charles Martin, Edwin, John and C. E. Routh, Deacons; Mrs. Kate Routh, Sally Moon, and Ophelia Bliss, Deaconesses.

      The Church of the United Brethren was organized in 1859, and the denomination has a well-built edifice, on Section 28. The present membership is about forty. Rev. Mr. White is pastor.

      The population of Chestnut Township, as shown by the United States Census returns, at stated intervals, has been as follows: 1840, 335; in 1860, 1,268; in 1870, 1,144; in 1880, 1,087; in 1890, 919.

      One veteran of the Mexican War—W. W. McMaster—resides within its limits. It furnished its full quota under each call during the War of the Rebellion, besides a number of volunteers who were credited to other localities. School district No. 5 sent thirty-eight men to the front, of whom three were given commissions on the score of bravery in action, viz:--Davis Vulgamore, made Captain, and Samuel Way, Lieutenant, in the Seventh Illinois Cavalry; and John Hall, Lieutenant in the Eighty-sixth Infantry Volunteers.

HERMON

      The village of Hermon was platted by Archibald Long, May 3, 1842. A fairly good clue to Mr. Long’s politics is afforded by the fact that he named it Harrisonville. It did not grow rapidly at first, the United States census giving the place a population of only 84 in 1850, eight years after it had been platted. The change of name was made in 1848, on the establishment of a post office. For several years it was more or less of a business place, but the rapid development of Knoxville and Abingdon, with their better railroad facilities, sounded its death knell. Today it is nothing more than a dull, country post office, on the line of the Iowa Central Railway. It can boast of two general stores, a blacksmith shop, and two churches.

      The Independent Order of Odd Fellows has a flourishing lodge, as also has the order of Modern American Woodmen. The former was instituted August 31, 1875, the charter members being C. E. Edmonson, S. P. Moon, Daniel Landes, Charles Thomas, and H. M. Reece. Of these only the last named is yet living. The first officers were: S. P. Moon, N.G.; Daniel Landis, V.G.; C. B. Edmonson, Secretary; and H. M. Reece, Treasurer. The present officers are: David E. McMaster, N.G.; S. C. Pattengill, V.G.; Charles Scaver and H. M. Reece, Secretaries; Samuel Pattengill, Treasurer. The lodge owns its own hall and has a surplus of nearly twelve hundred dollars in its treasury. The present membership is the smallest since the institution, numbering only twelve.

      The Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America was organized July 23, 1896, with fifteen charter members, and the following officers: John Smith, V.C.; A. L. Browning, W. A.; W. D. T. Moon, Banker. There are now twenty-five members, with the following officers: John Smith, V.C.; Ira Rogers, W.A.; W.D. T. Moon, Banker; and A.L. Browning, Clerk.

      This is one of the most fertile, best cultivated townships in Knox County. Cherry Grove covers about six square miles of its surface, extending along the entire western side, and for a little more than two miles the timber which skirts either side of Brush Creek extends over several sections. Between the two stretches a beautiful strip of rolling prairie, that can scarce anywhere be surpassed for farming purposes. Brush Creek and its branches, on the east, and the tributaries of Cedar Creek, on the west, water the township, a stream flowing through nearly every half section. Cedar was originally well timbered, there having been heavy growths of many varieties of valuable woods, notably of sugar maple and of different kinds of oak, walnut, wild cherry, elm, ash, basswood, and hickory. The abundance of the wild cherry was the reason for the naming of the first settlement Cherry Grove, which name was also at first given to the township. Good coal and a limited amount of building stone are also found.

      The first settlers were Azel Dorsey, on Section 18, and Rev. Hiram Palmer, a Methodist minister, on Section 7, both of whom came in 1828. In 1829, A. D. Swarts, founder of Abingdon and Hedding College, settled on Section 17. At his house, Rev. Mr. Palmer preached the first sermon ever heard in the township.

      The first members of the Latimer family to reach here were Joseph and his son George, who came from Tennessee in 1831, and settled on Section 29. Jonathan Latimer and his father-in-law, Jacob West, settled on Section 28 in the following year. About the same time his brothers, John C. and Alexander Latimer, his widowed sister, Mrs. Richard Boren, and his brothers-in-law, U. D. Coy and Israel Marshall, settled along the timber, believing, in common with other settlers, that the prairie land was valueless and would never be pre-empted and occupied. In 1833, Joshua Bland settled on Section 16, and his son-in-law, William Bevins, settled on Section 23 in 1834. The same year came Lewis and Bennett Spurlock, Reuben Castle, and Elisha Humiston, and, shortly afterward, Hugh Kelly arrived.

      The settlers were compelled to go to Ellisville to have their grain ground into meal or flour. The mill was small, and at times the grists were many and the farmers were sometimes obliged to wait for their turn, which was always given in due rotation. In 1833, Joshua Bland erected a horse power corn cracker on Section 16, which proved a very welcome addition to the comfort of the pioneers.

      The first birth was in November, 1829, Helen E. Swarts. The first marriage celebrated was that of U. D. Coy and Susan Latimer, in December 1833. The first death was the demise of Miss Olive Strange, in 1834. In 1832, Robert Bell taught what was the first school in Cherry Grove settlement, and the second in Knox County. At the present time, outside of Abingdon, there are eight district schools, with four hundred and thirteen pupils. The school houses, two of brick and six frame, are valued at nine thousand six hundred dollars. Cherry Grove Seminary was founded by Jonathan Latimer, and other members of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination, and was located on Section 29. From the minutes of the Presbytery, it is established that this school opened prior to 1840, under the charge of Rev. Cyrus Haynes, a minister of that creed. He remained at its head for about eight years, and made the institution widely and favorably known. In 1866 the Cumberland Presbyterians established a college at Lincoln, Illinois, and this seminary was abandoned.

      Prior to 1850 Indian Point and Cedar townships were known together as the Cherry Grove voting precinct. Cherry Grove was separated and given a distinct name by order of the County Judge on January 14, 1850. However, the first Board of Supervisors on Jun 6, 1853, renamed it Cedar, for the reason that the Secretary of State decided that another Illinois township had prior right to the name “Cherry Grove”. On April 5, 1853, a meeting was held for the purpose of perfecting a township organization. The voters chose Hugh A. Kelly, Moderator, and L. W. Conger, Clerk. E. P. Dunlap was elected Supervisor; William Marks, Clerk; William Lang, Assessor; James W. Smoot, Collector; J. W. Stephens and W. H. Heller, Commissioners of Highways; P. M. Shoop and Joseph Harvey, Justices of the Peace; Thomas S. Bassit, Overseer of the Poor; Solomon Stegall and Eli Butler, Constables. The election was held at what was then known as Louisville, about three miles north of Abingdon, on Section 16. A vote was also taken for the place of holding the next election, which resulted in favor of Louisville.

      The town last named was laid out by John S. Garrett, on the southwest quarter of Section 16. It was platted September 30, 1836, and for a time was the chief place in the southwestern part of the county. The growth of Abingdon killed it, and now there is only a district school to mark its site.

      In 1855, the place for holding elections was changed to Abingdon, where they have been held ever since. The last named place is now the only town in Cedar, Louisville being only a farm and Saluda a flag station on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.

      Before the first election of President Lincoln, the township was democratic, but since that date it has been strongly republican, although in local elections party lines were disregarded until within the last few years.

      From 1870 until 1890 there was a slight decrease in population, but within the last nine years the increase, owing chiefly to the growth of Abingdon, has been such that at the meeting of the Board of Supervisors in July, 1897, the population having passed the maximum for one voting precinct, the township was divided into two, although both polling places were located in Abingdon.

      Cedar has always been noted for its high standard of morality and intelligence obtaining among the people. Churches were established very early in its history. The Methodists organized in 1833 at the house of Joseph Latimer, with the following members: A. D. Swarts and wife, Mr. Finch and wife; Mrs. Jonathan Latimer and Joseph Latimer and wife. For several years the church existed as a mission, services being held at the homes of the various members and later at school houses, until, in time, the denomination had grown strong enough to erect a church at Abingdon. Their first quarterly meeting was held at the home of Jacob West and conducted by the renowned Peter Cartwright, who preached frequently to this charge. Its growth in membership and usefulness has been steady, until now it is the largest in the township. At the present time the denomination holds, in addition to those at the Abingdon Church, regular services at Warren Chapel, which is located in the northwestern part of the township.

      The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Cedar dates its beginning from about 1834 or 1835, with fifteen members. Not long thereafter they erected a house of worship, said to have been the first church building in the county. It stood about one mile and a half northwest of Abingdon, and was used for a number of years as a class room for Cherry Grove Seminary. The denomination’s influence, in both school and church affairs, has been potent throughout this entire section of the county. In 1866 the congregation removed to Abingdon. Subsequently it affiliated itself with the Congregational denomination and became the present Congregational communion of Abingdon.

      In addition to the bodies mentioned, the religious history of the township has embraced organizations of Protestant Methodists, United Brethren, Baptists, a Methodist Episcopal church at Louisville and an early Congregational church, all of which have been gradually merged into the three churches named. 

      The chief industries are farming, and breeding and raising fine stock. Coal mining is also carried on to a very limited extent. Heretofore, large herds of short-horn, Hereford, Galloway, Angus, Holstein and Jersey cattle have been bred in the township. At the present time, the principal stock raising interest centers in the short-horn, Angus and Jersey breeds, representatives of the two latter having taken high honors at the World’s Fair in Chicago in 1893.

      During the Civil War, no township in Knox County responded to the Nation’s call more nobly or with greater readiness than Cedar, always keeping in the field more than her share of the county’s quota. No draft was ever made in Cedar Township. Official statistics show that over two hundred and twenty-five volunteers enlisted, some of them descendants of heroes who had proved their loyalty to their country and its flag in earlier struggles. Of these old settlers sleeping in the cemeteries, there are seventeen soldiers of the War of 1812, four of the early Indian wars and two of the Mexican War. Of the soldiers of the Civil War, forty-nine are buried within the township limits. Their living comrades, members of Post 58, Grand Army of the Republic, at Abingdon, annually, on May 30, preserve the memory of their devotion and self-sacrifice, their toils and triumphs, ever keeping green the recollection of the patriotic dead.

      The official figures relative to the population of Cedar Township are as follows: 1840, 1, 616; 1860, 1,822; 1870, 2,153; 1880, 1,976; 1890, 1,574. 

By John C. Eiker

      Orange, as at present defined and bounded, was one of the first townships in the county to attract the attention of early immigrants to northern Illinois, and the pioneers were not wholly free from fear of predatory visits from the aboriginal owners of the soil. As a matter of fact, however, in 1830—the year when the first settlers arrived—the Indians were migrating to the west, and comparatively few of them remained. A blockhouse was erected, however, in 1830 or ’31, and the murder of a white man by a straggling band of hostile savages during the Black Hawk War threw the small community into a ferment of apprehension.

      The township is crossed by several well defined trails. That which is known as the Peorian and Galena runs diagonally from northwest to southeast, passing also through Knox, crossing the northeastern corner of the present city of Knoxville. A little to the west of this is another, which crosses Brush Creek, in Section 30, and forms a sort of pathway from that stream to the headwaters of Haw Creek. Several Indian graves have been found and their traces are yet plainly discernible, just across the Knox Township boundary line, on Section 32. The last appearance of any considerable body of aborigines in the township was in 1843, when several hundred Sacs and Foxes camped on the northwestern quarter of Section 5, while on their way from the north to their reservation in Indian Territory.

      About three-fourths of the soil of Orange consists of fertile prairie, the remainder being covered with a good quality of timber. The wooded sections lie along Brush and Haw creeks and their branches, on the west and east, respectively, where the surface is much broken. The center of the township is flat, and here may be found some of the most productive farms in the county. The township is under-laid by three distinct veins of bituminous coal, which are said to be capable of furnishing a well-nigh inexhaustible output but which have been as yet little developed.

      The first white family to settle within the present limits of Orange was that of Joseph Wallace, who located on Section 15 in 1830, and found a rudely constructed cabin suffice for their shelter. After the death of his wife, on the old farm, Mr. Wallace removed to Iowa.

      Asa Haynes (born in Dutchess County, New York in 1804) came in 1836. He had bought 300 acres on Section 30, on which he erected a one roomed log cabin, in which he took up his residence with his wife, formerly Miss Mary Gaddis, to whom he had been married October 7, 1830. He was hardy, daring and adventurous, but without education other than such as he had obtained during two months’ attendance at an Ohio district school each winter during six or seven years. He brought with him his two children, a half brother, Hiram, and a nephew, Isaac Hill. During their journey from Ohio, which occupied nineteen days, they encountered more or less rainfall during seventeen days, and found the rivers swollen to the summit of their banks, even the horses’ harness never drying. Mr. Haynes was energetic and enterprising, and from the outset proved a potent factor in the development of the new country. He started the first brick yard and in 1840, built the first saw mill, which was operated by water power obtained from Brush Creek. In 1841 he erected a large barn, and the following year replaced his primitive cabin by a brick house, which in those early days was regarded as commodious. While by no means a profound scholar himself, he took a deep interest in the imparting of at least a sound primary education to children. For a time he himself taught an elementary school in his little cabin, and when his brick home was completed, one room was reserved and furnished as a school-room. Miss Frances Moore was the instructress, becoming later, Mrs. Hiram Haynes. Asa Haynes became, in his day, the largest landholder in Orange Township, at one time owning 980 acres. He was one of the adventurers of 1849 and Captain of the “Jayhawkers” company of gold seekers formed at Monmouth. He led this little band of sixty across the continent. The hardships and privations which the men underwent caused many to drop by the way, but Mr. Haynes reached California safely, where he remained until 1851. Later in life he returned to California and made that State his residence for several years. He returned home and died at the house of a daughter, in Missouri, March 29, 1889. Of his six children, only one—Mrs. Nancy J. Wiley, who yet lives on a part of the old homestead—remains in the township.

      James Ferguson came from Kentucky, with his family, in the same year with Mr. Wallace, settling on Section 11. He had several children, but only two are at present residents of Orange; Andrew J., a farmer living on Section 10, and Mrs. Sarah Weir, whose home is on Section 15. The elder Ferguson attained prominence as being the first Justice of the Peace and the first Overseer of the Poor in the township. He was also a soldier in the Black Hawk War, being commissioned as Major. He died in 1841, his widow surviving him for twenty years. Both sleep in the quiet plot of ground reserved for sepulture on the old farm.

      Peter Godfrey is among the best known settlers of 1832, and he and his wife are among the oldest and most honored couples belonging to the “Old Settlers’ Association of Knox County.” John Denney and John and Simon McAllister arrived two years later, Isaiah Hutton and wife emigrated from the State of New York in 1827. He has since died (1883), but his widow and daughter still find their home on the homestead, which was theirs sixty years ago. Thomas Gilbert was also an early settler, his farm being on Section 8. His son, Thomas, is a prominent citizen of Knoxville, and two of his daughters still reside in that city.

      Other early settlers of the township who are worthy of especial mention are as follows: Thomas and James Sumner, who came from Ohio in 1837 and settled on Section 23. James lost his life through an accident, but Thomas still lives at his old home.

      Israel Turner emigrated from Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1837. He entered 240 acres on Section 32, remaining there until he died. Anderson Barnett also came in the same year, settling on Section 10. To him belonged the distinction of begetting the largest family of children (eighteen) ever reared in the township, nearly all of whom are yet living.

      The oldest residents of the township at present are William Reed and Mrs. Sarah E. Weir.

      The early houses were, of course, of logs, and of these Mr. Wallace built the first, on Section 15. Thomas A. Rude erected the first brick dwelling, on the farm of the late William Turner, in the same section. A portion of the latter is still standing, but the residence of Mr. Asa Haynes is probably the oldest structure in the county, remaining precisely as it was built.

      The two earliest marriages were those of Alexander Robertson to Narcissa Ferguson, and of Daniel Fugua to Lydia Bomar. This was a double wedding and the ceremony was solemnized by Rev. Jacob Gum, at the Ferguson residence, on Section 10. The first white child born (1833) was Cynthia, daughter of James Ferguson.

      It has usually been stated by historians of the township that the first death was that of a Mr. M. Cramer; but one of the oldest living settlers of Orange is authority for the statement that the first person to die was an aged female pauper, who was, at the time of her death, living on the farm of James Ferguson, at the time Overseer of the Poor. Both were interred in a plat of ground on Section 15, known as the McCramer burying ground.

      Sixteen burials were made here, when interments were discontinued and there is now nothing to mark the spot. The Ferguson and the Ward burying grounds (the latter on Section 3) are neglected spots and are seldom used. There are, however, two other cemeteries, which are well kept up and which contain many handsome monuments. These are the Haynes, on Section 20, and the McAllister, on Section 12.

      The first school house was of logs, and stood on Section 14. It was known as the Wallace School, and religious services were occasionally held within its rude, unplastered walls. The first teacher was Thomas Ellison, who wielded the birch during the winter of 1836. He died at Abingdon in 1897. Mr. Ellison was followed by Anderson Barnett, who taught in 1837 and 1838. The school house erected in what is now District No. 8 was of brick, Israel Turner being the mason and the carpentry being done by Charles Corwin. Miss Amanda Corwin, one of the earliest graduates from Knox College, was the first teacher and remained six years. Another early school house was that within the limits of the present District No. 3, where Miss Mary Gilbert Chaffee was the first to give instruction to boys and girls, some of whom have long since passed away, while others have grown old and silver-haired. At present Orange Township has eight schools, all ungraded, occupying well constructed frame buildings. The houses are modern and represent an outlay, in the aggregate, of about ten thousand dollars. In addition to this sum, libraries and equipments have cost a thousand dollars. The total enrollment of pupils is two hundred and seventeen.

      The earliest religious service held in the township was conducted by Rev. Jacob Gum, a Baptist minister, at the home of James Ferguson. The first denomination to organize into a church society was the Methodist Episcopal. This body erected a house of worship known as Orange Chapel in 1855. It was built on Section 22, and was of brick, burned in the yard of Anderson Barnett and laid by Thomas Rambo. The building was dedicated in the spring of 1856, by Rev. Richard Haney. The Gilson Circuit was established in 1857-8, and Orange Chapel was included within its limits. The following is a list of its pastors, from 1857 to 1898: 1857-8, Rev. G. M. Irwine; 1859-60, Rev. Wm. Watson; 1860-61, Rev. C. M. Wright; 1862, Rev. J. B. Mills; 1863, Rev. G. W. Havermale; 1864, Rev. A. Beeler; 1865, Rev. A. Fisher; 1866-7, Rev. Thomas Watson; 1868-9, Rev. Stephen Brink; 1870-1, Rev. G. W. Miller; 1872-3, Rev. Jesse Smith; 1874, Rev. L. B. Dennis; 1877-9, Rev. F. R. Boggess; 1880-1, Rev. Frank Smith; 1882, Rev. N. H. Merriam; 1883, Rev. William Collens; 1886-7, Rev. Geo. D. Hensell; 1888, Rev. E. N. Bently; 1889-90, Rev. Lewis Apringer; 1891, Rev. Alford Mead; 1892, Rev. Samuel Albricht; 1893-5, Rev. B. C. Daniels; 1896, Rev. A. P. Bolen; 1897-8, Rev. S. E. Steele.

      Early in the seventies revival services were held at the school house in District No. 4, which resulted in a general awakening of religious interest. At that time there was no organized church other than Orange Chapel, although there was, in the township, a moderate sprinkling of Congregationalists and Protestant Methodists. The fervor of both these sects was aroused. Both denominations organized societies, and Haynes Chapel was built by the Protestant Methodists. The Congregational Church had no place of worship and soon ceased to exist as a local organization. A general religious decline appeared to supervene about the same time, spreading over the territory between Knoxville and Hermon, on the north and south, and Gilson and Abingdon, on the east and west. In fact, for nearly twenty years, or until 1890, Orange Chapel was the only center of organic Christian effort. In the last mentioned year, however, a branch of the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor was formed at Haynes Chapel, with nine active members. For several years the young people conducted weekly services there, after their customary fashion, and in 1893, Rev. A. W. Depew of Abingdon began preaching, with marked success; Haynes Chapel being considered an outlying station. By this time the Christian Endeavorers numbered forty, and it was not long before another Congregational church was organized, with twenty-two members. Its first pastor was Rev. Mr. Slater, who preached for the congregation from May 1894 to February 1895. For nearly two years thereafter, the church was without a regular pastor, but on December 1, 1897, Rev. West Alden accepted the congregation’s call. The present membership is thirty-eight, and the Young People’s Society is still maintained. The number of Sunday schools in the township is three, with an average attendance of thirty-six. Mr. J. K. Lawrence is Orange Vice President for the County Association.

      The township was organized and its name chosen at a meeting held April 3, 1853. The name seems to have been selected on account of the shape of the central prairie, which, in those early days, was one of the most beautiful spots in the State. Asa Haynes was elected Supervisor; A. Barnett, Clerk; A. Pierce, Assessor; J. G. Rude, Collector; Peter Godfrey and David Stephens, Constables; Samuel Mather and J. Wallace, Overseers of the Poor; J. H. McGrew, Thomas Gilbert and Morris Chase, Highway Commissioners.

      The chief industries are agriculture and stock raising, although in those early days, brick yards were started by Asa Haynes, Thompson Rude, and Anderson Barnett. These ventures proved unprofitable, however, and the kilns long ago fell into disintegration and decay. From the time of its settlement, Orange ranked high among the best cereal producing sections of the county, although a lack of transportation facilities prevented the marketing of the grain raised. More than half was used in the fattening of stock. Haynes, Godfrey and Sumner Brothers manifested great interest in improving the quality of live stock, and were the first to introduce spotted China hogs and short horn cattle. The principal market of the pioneers was Peoria, although Canton and Oquawka received a fair share of the farm products. The farmers hauled their produce by teams, receiving in exchange supplies which they carried home to their expectant families. The opening of the first railroad, in 1854, altered the entire situation, shippers now finding Chicago at once the most accessible and most profitable market.

      The only village in Orange is DeLong, a flourishing little station on the line of the Narrow Gauge Road. It came into existence in 1882, and owes its being—as it does its name—to S. H. Malory. He bought the site from Wayne Marks when the preliminary survey of the line was made, in anticipation of a station being established thereon, and called the village DeLong in honor of the explorer of that name. It can boast two general stores, a barber shop, two blacksmith shops, two grain elevators, a building containing a hall and store room, and about a dozen residences. Its population is about fifty, and it is a relatively important shipping point for grain and stock.

      Two societies have branches there. The Modern Woodmen established a camp in 1896, with sixteen members. The first officers were: C. A. Clark, V.C.; W. A. Wiley, Ca.; A. L. Turner, E. B.; F. Hopkins, W.A.; G. M. Clark, E.; E. T. Haynes, W.; G. W. Logue, S.; W. H. Wiley, J. Boston and J. F. Turner, Managers. The present official staff is composed of: R. L. Eiker, V.C.; W. A. Wiley, C.; E. Haynes, E.B.; B. C. King, W.A.; C. Wollsey, E.; J. Eckman, W.; E. Tucker, S.; L. Mather, W. Wise, and F.N. Clark, Managers.

      A lodge of Good Templars was organized in the fall of 1897 and has greatly prospered, its present membership exceeding fifty. Its first officers were: H. L. Haynes, C.T.; Mrs. A. Wiley, V.T.; Miss Amy Briley, Secretary; Miss Sarah Haynes, Financial Secretary; E. T. Haynes, Marshal.

      The township furnished its full quota of troops in both the Mexican and Civil wars, and has within its borders one veteran of both—the venerable Aaron Weir.

      The census figures relative to population are as follows: In 1840, 490; in 1860, 876; in 1870, 1,167; in 1880, 1,130; in 1890, 851.

By Charles W. McKown

      In its natural features this is, perhaps, one of the most attractive townships in Knox County. About two-thirds of its area consists of prairie, and the remainder in timber land. The latter lies chiefly on the east and west, where the surface is more hilly. The central portion of the township, from north to south, is a rich, fertile prairie, mainly flat, yet sufficiently rolling to afford excellent natural drainage. The Spoon River is the principal stream, into which flow numerous small tributaries on either side, the most important of which is Haw Creek, on the west. These streams aid in drainage and also afford excellent watering facilities for stock. The Spoon enters the township at its northeast corner, and, after pursuing a devious course, flows out in Section 35.

      There is an underlying vein of bituminous coal along the water courses, but as it is only from twenty to twenty-eight inches thick, it cannot be profitably worked for general commerce, although more or less is mined for local consumption.

      The chief industry of the people is agriculture, while some live stock is raised for exterior markets. The principal crops are corn, wheat, oats and rye; while a little buckwheat and barley are also raised. The farms are well improved, and the farmers progressive, and always on the alert to test new ideas, adopting such as they believe tend to their real betterment.

      The population consists almost wholly of native born Americans, there being but few foreigners. Of colored people there are none. Sobriety and industry are well nigh universal, and illiteracy is unknown.

      The first white family to settle in the township was that of Mrs. Elizabeth Gilmore Owen, a widow, who was accompanied by her son, Parnach, and her two daughters, Thalia N. and Althea, who came from Ohio in 1829, and entered a claim in Section 18. Their neighbors were few and remote, the two nearest being Perry Morris, who lived on Section 33 of Knox Township, and a family who operated a primitive ferry across the Spoon River, at Maquon. Parnach Owen was a land speculator, and the conduct of his business necessarily involved long absences from home, during which periods the women of the household relied one upon the other for mutual protection. But they were of the strong fiber which ran through the frames of those pioneer women of Illinois, who became the mothers and grandmothers of a hardy, stalwart race. They despised nothing so much as cowardice and they were themselves no weaklings, being abundantly able to wield a hunting knife alike in the slaughter of a deer or in the defense of their honor.

      Two years after their arrival in Haw Creek the Owen family removed to Knoxville. Parnach Owen was prominent in the organization of the county and was made its first official surveyor. He died at Prairie LaPorte, Iowa, about 1845, at the age of forty-seven. Mrs. Elizabeth G. Owen died at Knoxville, March 6, 1839, in her seventy-fifth year. She and her children, brave in the face of danger, and dauntless before obstacles, are among those who laid the foundations of civilization in Knox County. Thalia N. Owen married Dr. E. D. Rice of Lewiston, Illinois, and died there in 1880 at the age of seventy-seven years. Her sister Althea became the wife of John G. Sanburn, of Knoxville, on November 3, 1831. To him she bore seven children. One of her sons—Francis G.—was president of the Farmers’ National Bank of that place. She died there, having reached the same age as her sister—seventy-seven.

      About a year after the Owen family, came James Nevitt, Samuel Slocum, David Teel, and David Enochs. They were followed by Woodford Pearce, David Housh, Joshua Burnett, Jacob Harshbarger, Linnaeus Richmond, William W. Dickerson and others; so that by 1833 or ’34 there was a well grown settlement here.

      Charles Nevitt, a son of James, was the first white child born in Haw Creek (1832). The first death was that of Eleanor Jarnigan, in 1834. The first sermon was preached by the noted pioneer, Rev. Peter Cartwright in 1831. Revs. Richard Haney and William Clark were also early in the field as Methodist circuit riders. The first school was taught in 1836, by Susan Dempsey. She is now the aged widow of Booker Pickrel, and lives in Gilson. The first church was built in 1864, on Section 17, and about one year afterward two others were erected in Gilson. From this statement, however, it should not be inferred that the people had no places of worship prior to 1864. Every school house in the township was used for that purpose, beside regular old fashioned camp meetings in the groves.

      James Nevitt built the first frame house in the township, in 1835, and Woodford Pearce erected the first brick dwelling.

      Enoch Godfrey, James Nevitt, and George Benson garnered the first grain crops in 1832. The first road laid out was the State road from Knoxville to Farmington in 1836. This soon became a regular stage route, and before long a village sprang up along the line of travel in Section 18, and became an occasional stopping place for stage coaches, although not, in those days, what was considered a regular station. This was the nucleus of what became, later, the village of Mechanicsburg.

      In the early days of the township, the only available markets for farm produce were along the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers and on Lake Michigan. Loads of grain were hauled to Chicago, nearly two hundred miles away; the sellers bringing back salt, shingles and general merchandise. Now, the Peoria and Galesburg branch of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy road enters Haw Creek at the southwest corner of Section 6, and leaves it at the southeast corner of Section 33, and Gilson is the only station within the township limits.

      Township organization was effected at a meeting held at the Nevitt school house on April 5, 1853, by the election of the following officers: William M. Clark, Supervisor; Woodford Pearce, Clerk; Isaac Lotts, Assessor; Joseph Harshbarger, Collector; Jacob Wolf, Overseer of the Poor; John S. Linn and Enoch Godfrey, Justices of the Peace; George Pickrel and William Lewis, Constables; Milton Lotts, Allen T. Rambo, and Benoni Simpkins, Commissioners of Highways. A complete list of town clerks from the first election down to the present time is given below. A similar list of supervisors may be found in the chapter relating to county government.

      In 1853, Woodford Pearce; 1854, Joel Harshbarger; 1855-57, William Swigart; 1858, William H. Eastman; 1859, Samuel Caulkins; 1860, Peter Lacy; 1861, W. J. McCulloch; 1862, William H. Eastman; 1863-65, William P. Kellar; 1866, E. K. Coe; 1867, Joseph Harshbarger; 1869, C. W. McKown; 1870-73, S. M. Ickes; 1874, A. L. Barr; 1875-76, B. A. Hill; 1877, Joseph Cramer; 1878, B. A. Hill; 1879, J. M. Cravens; 1880-81, O. J. Aldrich; 1882-84, B. A. Hill; 1885-86, O. J. Aldrich; 1887-89, C. W. McKown; 1890-96, William M. Gardner; and 1897-99, James Moore.

      There are three regularly organized churches in Haw Creek, two in the village of Gilson and one in Section 3. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Gilson was organized in 1857. The present edifice was erected in 1864 and is worth about eight hundred and fifty dollars. Its first pastor was Rev. G. M. Iriom, and the clergyman now in charge is Rev. S. E. Steele. There are some ninety active members. The other Gilson church is connected with the United Brethren, and has about forty-eight members. Wolf (or Union) Chapel, also United Brethren, on Section 3, has a membership of nearly sixty.

      In addition to these organized bodies, there is a tract of land devoted to the holding of annual camp meetings. The history of the allotment of this ground for this purpose is of interest in this connection.

      Pursuant to a notice published in the Knox County Republican, calling for the organization of a camp ground association, the Knox County Methodists met in Orange Chapel, September 19, 1868, and elected Peter Godfrey, J. C. Elwell, and Joshua Burnett, Jr., trustees to purchase and hold land for a permanent camp ground. They bought of N. G. Clark eleven and four-fifths acres of ground for four hundred and seventy-four dollars. On September 3, 1869, the number of trustees was increased to nine, and on October 5, 1872, another acre purchased for fifty-five dollars. The camp ground is on the line of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railway, a mile southeast of Gilson. It is well adapted for picnics as well as camp meetings. A good fence, horse corral, and buildings have been put up, and wells dug, at a cost of about fifteen hundred dollars. The camp meeting begins the Tuesday before the fourth Sunday in each August, and lasts one week. Since 1882 a gate fee has been charged all visitors. From the proceeds thus obtained the improvements have been made, and about eight hundred dollars are in the treasury. The present trustees are: E. H. Arnold, President; E. J. Young, Secretary and Treasurer; A. Dean, H. Shoop, J. M. Vangilder, E. Cramer, G. G. Moore, J. W. Davis, and A. Bruner. Messrs. Arnold and Young have been on the Board for over twenty years.

      There are eight common schools, one of which (that of Gilson) is a graded school. The buildings are frame, but well constructed, with a view to adapting them to their use. The attendance includes nearly all the children of the township within the legal limits of the school age. The teachers are selected with great care, and the salaries are sufficient to ensure competence. In face, the Gilson School won two of the premiums awarded at the State Fair of 1878.

      Gilson and Mechanicsburg are the two villages. The former is situated in the southeast corner of Section 7, and has a population of about one hundred and fifty souls. It is not incorporated. Its business establishments comprise six stores, two blacksmith shops, two carpenter shops, a harness shop, and a grain elevator.

      The settlement of Mechanicsburg antedates that of Gilson. The first store in the village was kept by Edmund Smith, and the first industrial establishments were wagon and blacksmith shops. A post office was established May 7, 1852, and named, by the government, Haw Creek. Joseph Harshbarger was the first postmaster, and was succeeded, September 16, 1852, by Allen T. Rambo. Woodford Pearce followed him on March 17, 1855, and on March 5, 1857, the office was removed to Gilson, which was then a railway station, and Mechanicsburg fell asleep.

      Of the early settlers of the township, many moved away, but the descendants of some of those who remained are numerous. Some of the most familiar family names are Housh, Pickrel, Richmond, and Burnett.

      There was a large grist mill built at an early day in Section 34 on the Spoon River, which did a flourishing business for many years, but the flow of water in the river grew less and less, until the miller could obtain power during only about seven months in the year. As a result, the enterprise was abandoned; but the building and machinery were removed to Maquon, where they were utilized in the construction of a steam mill.

      In 1849 a “cholera scare” was occasioned by the arrival of three immigrant families—Staniford, Richardson and Foster—who came by water to Peoria, and finally located in the northeastern part of Haw Creek Township. The scourge appeared shortly after their arrival, and the community was not a little perturbed. Mr. Staniford, Mrs. Fred Foster, Mrs. Thomas Richardson and two of her children, and William Richardson died, but fortunately the disease spread no farther.

      One of the most exciting episodes in the history of the township occurred in August 1877, and was of sufficient importance to be worthy of mentioning in some detail. On Sunday, the fifth of that month, while the family of Mr. Woodford Pearce of Gilson was at church, a tramp entered their home and, after ransacking the premises, departed with a miscellaneous assortment of personal property, including seventy-five dollars in money. On the discovery of the theft a hue and cry was raised, and a posse was soon in hot pursuit. The culprit was discovered eating his dinner in a grove near by. He was armed, and, on seeing the approach of his would-be captors, he retreated to a cornfield, firing as he fled. His shots were returned, and during the fusillade William Kellar was shot in the ankle. Reinforcements were sent for, and soon the field was surrounded by two hundred men and boys. The tramp was discovered and again took flight, firing as he ran. A horse ridden by James Pickrel was wounded and the rider’s knee bruised. Another horse, carrying Charles Masten and Charles Cramer, was shot through the neck and killed, and a bullet through the heart killed Charles Belden. The tramp also exchanged shots with Charles W. McKown at short range (less than fifteen feet), the former receiving a slight flesh wound in the arm and side, the latter was shot through the left lung, the bullet lodging in the muscles of the back, where it still remains. Under cover of the night the quarry made good his escape. He had cast aside his shirt and vest, however, and these were discovered. In one of the pockets of the latter was found an express receipt given to Frank Rande. This clue (spelled clew) led to his ultimate capture in St. Louis, through the skillfully directed efforts of Frank Hitchcock, then Sheriff of Peoria County, but not until after he had committed another robbery at the house of John R. Scoles, near St. Elmo, Illinois, killing Mr. Scoles and another man and dangerously wounding a third, as he was making his escape from an excited, infuriated troop of pursuers.

      Before being overpowered at St. Louis, he also killed one of the policemen, assisting in making the arrest. A reward of one thousand dollars was offered and paid for his apprehension. He was taken to Galesburg where he was tried, convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in the Joliet penitentiary, where, seven years later, he broke the Warden’s skull with an iron bar and was shot by a prison guard.

      Recently a mineral spring has been discovered on Section 34. The water is said to be very potent in curing disease, and has been shipped far and near for use of invalids, barrels of it having gone as far as Oregon. The surrounding grounds are being beautified, and preparations are in progress for erecting a large hospital near the spring.

GILSON

      A brief reference has been already made to the village of Gilson, but its relative prominence in the township justifies a more extended notice.

      The village was laid out July 10, 1857, on the southeast quarter of Section 7, by Linneus Richmond and James Gilson, for whom it was named. The location was good—just on the edge of the timber land along Haw Creek, eleven miles from Galesburg, on the Peoria branch of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railway. The engines first in use on this line burned wood, and a large trade grew up in that species of fuel. Indeed, Gilson now seems to have been laid out on an open prairie, so thoroughly has the timber been cleaned away.

      The first school house was put up before Gilson came into existence, and was used until about 1872, when the present structure was erected. The school is graded. There are two churches—Methodist Episcopal and United Brethren in Christ. The present population is about one hundred and fifty. The business is mostly confined to trade with surrounding farmers. There are two hotels, two barber shops, and an apiary of one hundred colonies of bees.

      The post office was established March 6, 1857, with David Richmond as postmaster. His successors have been Woodford Pearce, May 21, 1857; J. S. Linn, March 4, 1859; John Love, June 23, 1860; J. S. Linn, March 4, 1859; John Love, June 23, 1860; James Moore, December 16, 1860; Jonas Ickes, January 6, 1865; W. J. McCulloch, May 24, 1870; B. A. Hill, November 23, 1885; Morris Blanchard, June 4, 1886; Jennie Utter, May 29, 1889; Morris Blanchard, September 27, 1893; G. W. Bushong, August 7, 1897. It is a money order office, and has a large patronage.

      Gilson Camp of the Modern Woodmen was organized August 31, 1895, with ten members. First officers: J. E. Scott, V.C.; J. F. Conner, W.A.; J. N. Woolsey, B.; J. H. Baird, Clerk. In November 1898, there were fifty-two beneficiary and five social members. There has never been a death in the camp. Present officers: J. F. Conner, V.C.; C. L. Dossett, W.A.; A. R. Holloway, E. B.; J. K. Newman, Clerk; E. H. McElwain, E.; W. S. Steepleton, S.; C. H. Upp, W.; J. B. Miller, Physician; C. H. Upp, Robert Sumner and D. A. Hughes, Managers.

By O. L. Campbell

      Knox Township as described in the United States Government Survey, is Number 11 North, Range 2 East. Its surface is a level prairie and its soil is as fertile as any in the county. Excellent natural drainage is afforded by Court and Haw Creeks, with the numerous streams tributary to them. The first named crosses the township from east to west; the latter cuts it in the southwest corner. Originally about one-third of Knox was covered with timber, and although most of the growth has been cleared away, there is yet a considerable amount standing along the banks of the water courses. The early history of the township is interesting, but is virtually identical with that of Knoxville, which is related in the succeeding pages. That city, for many years the county seat, and Randall, are the only towns of importance. Lake George and Highland Park, favorite pleasure resorts for the people of Galesburg, are within its limits.

      Highland Park is situated in Section 18, a mile east of the city limits of Galesburg. It is under private management, which has arranged the grounds for the accommodation of picnic parties and keeps boats for hire upon the numerous small lakes with which the park is dotted, and in the neighborhood of which are large brick yards. A street car line runs out from the city, and the place is well patronized in summer. Ice is cut in considerable quantities from the little ponds and there are several large ice houses in the vicinity.

      The chief industry of the township is farming, although brick is extensively manufactured in that part adjacent to Galesburg. 

RANDALL

      This village stands on the north half of Section 15. It was laid out on November 8, 1890, by C. B. Randall, and owes its existence to the phenomenal growth of the brick making industry and the completion of the Santa Fe line to Chicago. The population numbers about eight hundred and is composed chiefly of employees of the brick yards. In 1892 the railroad company changed the name of its station to East Galesburg, but that of the town remained the same as at first.

      Randall supports two churches, Christian and Methodist Episcopal, a good school and a weekly newspaper.

      The Christian Society was organized January 1, 1894, with eighty-six members, and may be rightly said to be the result of evangelistic work done by Rev. J. M. Morris and Elder J. G. Rowe. It is a mission of the Galesburg Church, which erected an edifice costing twelve hundred dollars in 1893. The present membership is sixty, and the Sunday school attendance sixty-five. T. L. Rowe is Superintendent.

      The Methodist Episcopal denomination organized its church here a few years ago and built a house of worship costing three thousand dollars. There are twenty-seven communicants, and fifty pupils in the Sunday school. There is no settled pastor.

      The East Galesburg Tribune was established in 1892, and is issued every Saturday from the presses of the Galesburg Plaindealer, by Karl R. Haggenjos, who is both editor and publisher. It is a seven column folio, and democratic in politics.

      The Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America are well represented in the village. East Galesburg Lodge 46, K. of P., was organized with forty-five charter members, and has a present membership of forty-six. The first officers were : J. Stickels, C.C.; J. W. Yard, V.C.; F. Parkins, P.; J. H. Potter, K. of R. and S.; J. E. Hebard, M. of A.; C. J. Nibel, M. of F. Present officers: H. B. Corbin, C.C.; J. Underwood, V.C.; J. Bushong, P.; J. H. Potter, K. of R.and S. They meet at Robbins and Granvil’s store.

      The East Galesburg Camp of Modern Woodmen was established August 16, 1894, with eleven members. Its present membership is forty-one. Meets in K. of P. Hall. First officers: J. L. Rowe, V.C.; John F. Barmore, Clerk. Present officers: A. P. Melton, V. C.; John F. Barmore, Clerk.

KNOXVILLE

By O. L. Campbell

      Knoxville is located on the southern quarter of Section 28 North, Range 2 East, Knox County, and was laid out August 7, 1830 by Parnach Owens. The town was first called Henderson, but in 1833 was given its present appellation, both county and town being named in honor of General Knox, of Revolutionary fame. Its location, on the divide between the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, on the east and west, and smaller streams on the north and south, renders the site a most desirable one for a city of homes; salubrious, healthful, and pleasing.

      The town’s early history is full of interest. The first settler was Perry Morris, who, in 1829, located on what is known as the east side of the present city. He afterwards sold his farm to Captain John Charles. John Montgomery and Dr. Hansford came soon after. The last named was the first physician, and his daughter, Mrs. Grace Shock, was the first female child born in Henderson. John Moore Bartlett was the first boy. In 1832, John G. Sanburn brought a stock of goods here. Down to the time of his death he was a prominent figure in the town’s history. He was Knoxville’s first postmaster and held many important county and government positions, including that of the first Circuit and County Clerk. He died April 14, 1865. Henry Runkle came in 1833, his brother Eldred in 1834, and another brother, Cornelius, in 1836. These brothers have been closely identified with the development and history of the town from the date of its organization. Henry owned the first mill in the settlement. He died in 1852, and his brother, Eldred, who was associated with him in mercantile business, died in 1865. Cornelius Runkle is still an honored and respected resident of this city. Rev. Jacob Gum, a Baptist minister, was Knoxville’s first preacher. His son, John B. Gum, came to the township in 1839. He left a numerous progeny, who have become influential citizens. Daniel Fuqua came here in 1834, and for sixty-three years has been prominent in town and municipal affairs. The family is a prolific one, numbering one hundred and thirteen, including ten children, sixty-eight grandchildren and thirty-three great-grandchildren. He finds his greatest pleasure now in the family reunions of his descendants. Judge R. L. Hannaman located here in 1836. Although for a time he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, it was as an attorney that he was best known. For many years he was the leading lawyer of the county, and always known as the firm friend of the poor and distressed. The first sale of lots took place in 1831, when those upon which the offices of the Republican now stand brought over three thousand dollars.

      From the time of its organization until 1872, Knoxville was the county seat of Knox County. The Knoxville of today is a model residence town, its citizens being a community of educated and refined people, with whom it is a pleasure to reside. It has exceptionally good educational advantages, electric lights, electric street railway and a splendid system of waterworks. Here also are situated the County Fair Grounds and the County Almshouse. Its people always point with especial pride to the city’s excellent private and public schools.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

      First in importance is St. Mary’s School, organized as Ewing Female Seminary in 1859. This institution was opened on Monday in Easter week, 1868, and after the destruction of the building and contents by fire on January 4, 1873 (the book has a typo of 1823, so I’m guessing it should be 1873) , was reopened January 31, in St. Ausgarius College building. The new structure was begun in April, occupied in October, and has twice been enlarged. The limit of its capacity (one hundred pupils) has been reached. St. Mary’s is an incorporated institution, the Board of Trustees representing the City of Knoxville and the three dioceses of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Illinois. The buildings, grounds, furniture and apparatus are valued at one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Of this amount about fifty thousand dollars were given and bequeathed by the late Hon. James Knox. The house is constructed of the best materials—stone, brick, iron and slate—and the interior is finished with southern pine. The plans are the result of thirty years’ experience in school management and construction, and for adaptation to both sanitary and educational purposes are unsurpassed. St. Mary’s Church, built of stone, is a fine specimen of Gothic architecture, and connected with the school building by a cloister of rare beauty. Among the contents of the sacred edifice are a fine pipe organ, memorial windows and other gifts.

      The provision made in the school for astronomical study is very complete, the apparatus and equipment having cost more than three thousand dollars. The Observatory is of brick, surmounted by a dome sixteen feet in height with transit room adjoining. The telescope is an equatorial refractor, mounted with clock work, having a six-inch object glass of Alvin Clark and Sons’ manufacture. The transit is a very fine instrument, made by Messrs. Fauth and Company. Personal attention is given to every pupil, and religious and semi-parental influences accompany the daily work and discipline. It is the aim of the school to prepare its pupils for responsible positions in life, and to adorn the family and social circle not only with intellectual culture, but also with graceful manners, refined tastes and Christina character. One special feature of the administration is that St. Mary’s continues under the rectorship and care of Rev. C. W. Leffingwell, D. D., who founded the school in 1868. Thirty years of experience, with a record of successful work, constitute a strong assurance of safe and wise management for the future. The following are the officers and teachers of the institution: The Rev. Charles W. Leffingwell, D. D., Logic and Psychology, Civics; the Rev. Edward H. Rudd, S. T. D. Chaplain, Latin, Greek, Natural Science; Nancy Meneeley Hitchcock, M. A. Principal Emeritus; Emma Pease Howard, Principal, Literature, Rhetoric and German; Mrs. Leffingwell, Vice Principal; Mrs. E. H. Rudd, French, Italian, History; Emily Seamans, Mathematics and Latin; Charlotte W. Campbell, English; Jessie M. Leath, Director of the Studio; Mrs. Helen Carlton-Marsh, Vocal Music; Mary Harriet Howell, Biology, Physical Training; William H. Sherwood, Chicago, Visiting Director of Music; Eleanor Sherwood, Resident Director of Music; Susan Bertha Humston, Organist, Assistant in Piano and Harmony; William H. Cheesman, Violin and Guitar; Mrs. Francis H. Sisson, Elocution; Charlotte Cooper, Preparatory Department; Louise Nichols, Matron; John F. Somes, Curator.

      St. Alban’s Academy was founded by Rev. Dr. Leffingwell in 1890. The property on which it stands had been originally occupied by a Swedish-American college, which was largely indebted to Hon. James Knox, who gave thirteen thousand dollars toward the erection of the building. After five years, the embryo college had ceased to exist, and the property reverted to the City of Knoxville. In 1894, Dr. Leffingwell leased the school to Colonel A. H. Noyes, the present Superintendent, who had been a member of its original teaching staff, and who ably discharged the duties of Superintendent for five years. The main building is a four story brick structure, with a mansard roof and stone basement. It will accommodate fifty pupils, besides masters, matrons and attendants. In its enlargement and improvement strict attention has been given to the securing of the best sanitary conditions. Water supply, drainage, ventilation, light and heat are all of the best, and the appliances therefore are all of the most modern type. The recitation, class and assembly halls and chambers are well lighted, large and lofty, and admirably arranged for the combination of school and home comforts. In 1898 Phelps Hall was erected, the beautiful frame building for younger boys. Chief among the institution’s many attractions and improvements is the new gymnasium and armory. The main room of this building is seventy by forty feet, with a ceiling twenty feet above the floor, finished in Georgia pine, and thoroughly equipped with modern gymnastic appliances. In winter it is used as a drill hall and for indoor athletic games, as well as for social entertainments. The chapel, a wooden building in the Gothic style of architecture, having seating capacity of two hundred, stands on the grounds near the main building. An addition has recently been made to the latter, enlarging the number of recitation rooms and sleeping apartments. The academic staff is as follows: Rev. C. W. Leffingwell, D. D., Rector and Founder; Arthur H. Noyes, B. A., Superintendent; Rev. Francis Mansfield, M. D., M.A., Chaplain; Charles A. Adams, B. A., Sciences; Nelson Willard, B. A. Classics; John Harris Booge, Primary Department; J. Grant Beadle, Drawing and Architecture, Penmanship; Mrs. A. H. Noyes, Vocal and Instrumental Music; Miss S. E. Hayden, Studio Director; Mrs. E. M. Harrison, Matron; Miss Lutie Booge, Matron Phelps Hall.

      Knoxville has an admirable public school system, with two good buildings. The first was erected in 1876, at an outlay of eighteen thousand, five hundred dollars; the second was finished in 1896, the cost being about seven thousand dollars. Both buildings are modern in construction, well arranged and have fine equipment, including a large and well selected library. The corps of teachers embraces only experienced and capable instructors. They are as follows: Principal, W. F. Jones; Assistants, Eighth grade, Emma Mowery; Seventh, Josephine McIntosh; Sixth, Amanda C. Lightner; Fifth, Nellie Evans; Fourth, Lodena McWilliams; Third, Belle Sanford; Second, Mary A. Parmenter; primary grade, Flora Smith; teacher of vocal music, M. B. Parry.

CHURCHES

      The first religious denomination to form an organization in Knoxville was the Methodist Episcopal, which has held regular services since 1831. The Free Methodists have also held services in the city for several years, but have no house of worship. The African Methodist Episcopal Church owns a church building and a parsonage, but the membership is small.

      St. John’s Episcopal Church was organized in 1843, and erected an edifice, costing two thousand, five hundred dollars in 1867. The building is now used as a chapel for St. Alban’s Academy. The congregation embraces some seventy-five communicants, and the Sunday school membership is about one hundred and twenty-five, including the pupils of the Academy who attend. A handsome chapel is also connected with St. Mary’s Academy, of which mention has been already made.

      The Swedish Lutherans formed a church in 1853, which is still in existence and holds regular services.

      The present Presbyterian Church of Knoxville was organized in 1870, by the union of the “old” and “new” school branches of that denomination, under the pastorate of Rev. D. G. Bradford. Rev. W. H. Mason is the present pastor, and the church is in a flourishing condition.

      The former “old school” Presbyterian house of worship is now occupied by the Christian Society, which was organized in 1871 and purchased the building from its former owners.

FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS

      Illinois Council No. 1, R. and S.M., was organized March 11, 1852, under a dispensation granted from Kentucky. Its first officers were: T.J.G.M, William A. Seaton; Deputy T.J.G.M., G. C. Lanphere; P.C.W., Harmon G. Reynolds; J.G.C.G., I. M. Wilt; I. G.S., I Gulihur; Recorder, J. W. Spaulding; Treasurer, William McMurtry; Stewards, F. Mason and B. F. Hebard.

      Rabboni Chapter, No. 95, R.A.M., was instituted October 5, 1856. Its first officers were: James McCracken, H.P.; Alvah Wheeler, K.; Adam Brewer, Scribe.

      Pacific Lodge, No. 66, A.F. and A.M., was organized in 1896, by uniting Pacific Lodge No. 400 and Knoxville Lodge No. 66. E. T. Eads was the first W.M., and E. Codding, Secretary.

      Knoxville Lodge, No. 126, A.O.U.W., was organized September 30, 1878. Dr. G. S. Chalmers was the first M.W.

      Knox Lodge, S.K. of A., was organized in 1887, and is now in a flourishing condition.

      The Knoxville Lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America was organized in 1888 and is now the largest fraternal organization in the city numbering one hundred and thirteen members. The Royal Neighbors, a branch of this order which admits women, was organized in 1896, with J. A. Westfall as its first presiding officer.

      Knoxville Home Forum, No. 586, was organized April 18, 1896, and now has a membership of fifty. O. L. Campbell was the first president of the organization.

      Horatio Lodge No. 362, K. of P., was organized in 1892, and has sixty members. Hon. A. M. Parmenter, the Mayor of the City, is its presiding officer.

      A Temple of Honor was recently established with Dr. L. Becker as presiding officer.

Other Organizations

      The Knox County Old Settlers’ Association, whose composition is indicated by its title, holds annual meetings at Gilbert’s Park, Knoxville, which are very largely attended and are a source of great pleasure, besides promoting a friendly feeling among the members. Hon. H. M. Sisson is President, and O. L. Campbell, Secretary.

      The Knox County Agricultural Board was organized in 1856, at Knoxville, and since that date has only once failed to hold a yearly meeting. The object of the organization is to promote the educational and other interests of the farmers of the county. The impetus which has been imparted to agriculture by this long series of annual gatherings has proved of the utmost benefit. The present officers are: President, Hon. J. F. Latimer, of Abingdon; Vice President, Hon. H. M. Sisson, of Galesburg; Secretary, O. L. Campbell, of Knoxville.

Banks

      The first banking facilities of Knoxville were afforded by James Knox, as early as 1850, if not before, who received deposits and drew bills of exchange on New York for the accommodation of his customers. The transactions, however, were, in a sense, irregular; Mr. Knox having no established bank and being prompted chiefly by a desire to oblige his friends and neighbors. Jehial B. Smith started a private bank in 1850, and seven years later T. J. Hale became his partner, but before the outbreak of the Civil War the business was discontinued and the bank closed.

      In 1853, Mr. Knox was sent to Congress, leaving the management of his affairs in the hands of Cornelius Runkle, who thus gained his first insight into the principles and usages of banking. On May 1, 1857, he, in connection with his brother, Elbert Runkle, opened a private bank, which they conducted until 1865, in which year they organized the First National Bank, with a paid capital of sixty thousand dollars. Cornelius Runkle was President, and John Babbington, Cashier. The stockholders were James Knox, G. A. Charles, John Eads, Miles Smith, A. M. Craig, John Carns, and the Runkle brothers. The bank was successful from the start, doing a large and profitable business; and when it was finally wound up, in 1856, it had a surplus of sixty thousand dollars.

      Upon the closing of the First National, the Farmers’ National Bank came into existence with F. G. Sanburn as President, and C. G. Smith, Cashier. It too, had a capital of sixty thousand dollars. This has since been increased to one hundred and sixty thousand dollars. The present officers are J. Z. Crane, President, and H. J. Butt, Cashier. The bank’s surplus is twelve thousand dollars, and its deposits and loans each about one hundred thousand dollars.

      A private bank was opened in 1890, by J. M. Nisley. Its capital is about thirty thousand dollars, and deposits and loans amount to about forty thousand dollars.

THE PRESS

      The first newspaper to be published was the Knoxville Journal, the first issue of which appeared October 5, 1849. Its proprietors were John S. Winter and David Collins, and the editorial management was able. It was neutral in politics. Starting as a six column folio the number of columns was increased to seven on July 9, 1850, and to eight May 6, 1851. On January 13, 1852, Mr. Winter retired. Mr. Collins continued to be the sole proprietor until March 2, 1855, when he sold out to John Regan. Under the new control the paper soon became democratic, and after a few years was discontinued. The pronounced political attitude of his former paper induced Mr. Winter to re-enter the field of journalism, and on October 8, 1856, he issued the first number of the Knox Republican, taking strong anti-slavery ground, and earnestly supporting the principles, policy and candidates of the republican party, then in its infancy. The date of the issue gives the Republican the unquestioned right to claim the distinction of being the oldest paper in the county, in point of continuous publication. The county’s political complexion promoted a rapid increase in circulation. John Winter and R. M. Winans were soon taken into partnership, the firm name becoming John S. Winter and Company. On April 7, 1858, they disposed of the paper to Zaccheus Beatty and W. T. Robinson, the first named of whom was later, for many years, editor of the Republican Register of Galesburg. Within a few years Mr. Beatty retired, and in 1875, Mr. Robinson sold out to F. A. Lanstrum. Shortly afterward the paper was bought by the present editor, O. L. Campbell, who has very considerable enlarged its size, changing its form from an eight-column folio to a six-column publication of eight, and sometimes, ten pages. The paper appears every Wednesday, and has a circulation of about twelve hundred. It is a clean, family paper, well edited, and aggressively republican. It is now entering its forty-third year, and has been published continuously by its present proprietor for more than a quarter of a century.

      The Knox County News was founded in December 1898, by Charles N. May and Fred O. McFarland. The last named gentleman retired after about three months. Messrs. Harry Campbell and F. Huschinger were then taken into partnership, but withdrew after about a month.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

      The municipal government of the City of Knoxville is vested in a Mayor, a Board of six Aldermen, elected from three wards, with nine heads of executive departments, which are named below. The present officers (1899) are: Mayor, A. M. Parmenter; Aldermen, F. E. Buckley, F. W. Emery, D. H. Funk, A. C. Barnhart, G. T. Parmenter and Jesse Pickrel; City Clerk, Fred H. Stearns; City Treasurer, H. J. Butt; City Attorney, E. A. Corbin; City Marshall, T. O. Stenson; Police Magistrate, James Godfrey; Street Superintendent, Herod Pierce; Superintendent of Waterworks, Fred McGill; Cemetery Sexton, Seth Crump; City Inspector, E. Codding.

      This township is situated in the central part of Knox County, and is drained by Spoon River and Court, North and Sugar Creeks.

      Its soil is adapted to grazing and agriculture alike; more or less timber grows in its bottoms and along its streams; and its mineral resources include coal and sandstone. Formerly, the abundance of game was rivaled only by the profusion of wild fruit. Indian legends tell of silver and lead hidden beneath the ground, and some fine specimens of ore have been found along Sugar Creek.

      The Santa Fe Railroad runs through Persifer from west to east, along Court Creek, affording a direct outlet for farm products to the Chicago markets.

      The present site of Dahinda was once an Indian village, and the poles of their wigwams stood there for years after the arrival of white settlers. There are twenty-five or thirty mounds on the bluffs near by, which contain human bones and are presumably Indian graves. Many arrow-heads and stone axes have been found, and one branch of the Galena Trail passes through the township from north to south, crossing Court Creek at the point where the Appleton bridge now stands.

      The Indian chief Shabona once offered to show William Morris a silver mine in the northeastern part of the township, but Mr. Morris was too distrustful to accompany him.

      This same William Morris bought the northwestern corner of Section 26, March 10, 1832, and he was probably the first settler in Persifer, and is said to have spent the winter of 1832-33 in a hollow sycamore tree in Spoon River bottoms, just below the Elliott Mill. Nothing is known of him prior to his settlement here. His wife, Ruth Vaughn, came from Kentucky, as did Jesse and Willis Reynolds and Beverly Young. Charles Bradford was born in Maine. He came to Ohio when a young man, and to Illinois in 1834, settling in Persifer Township. He was a descendant of Governor Bradford, of Puritan fame, and lived to be over ninety. Several of his descendants reside near here, among whom are to be found the familiar names of R. C. Benson, E. J. Wyman, Jacob Lorance, and John Spear. On coming here he bought Beverly Young’s claim to the eastern half of the northeast quarter of Section 26, moving into the cabin that had been built by Mr. Young. The next year he acquired the northwestern quarter of Section 27, taking up his residence in a double log house that stood on the northeastern quarter of Section 26.

      In 1837 several families came, among them being those of Edmund Russell, Isaac Sherman, G. W. Manley, T. D. Butt, Caleb Reece, John Caldwell, and James Maxey. All of these have many descendants in the county. Persifer also counts the Hon. George W. Prince among her sons; although not a pioneer.

      R. W. Miles was, before his decease, honored by the people with many positions of trust; having held several township offices and being twice sent to the Legislature and three times elected a member of the State Board of Equalization. He never betrayed the trust reposed in him.

      Mrs. Charles Bradford was buried January 5, 1835, and hers was the first death and burial. She was interred on her husband’s clearing, on Section 26. The first public cemetery was on Section 9, the first burial therein being a son of John Henderson. The first Persifer couple to marry was Charles Bradford and Parmelia Ann Richardson. They were united at Peoria early in the spring of 1838. (if this was the first marriage, the date is incorrect in this writing.) The next marriage in the township, of which any record has been preserved, was that of Harvey Stetson Bradford and Hester Whitton. They were joined in matrimony October 24, 1836, at the home of Charles Bradford. Rev. Mr. Bartlett, a Baptist minister from Knoxville, performed the ceremony. R. C. Benson and Sarah Bradford were the next couple to become man and wife, January 5, 1837. They have been not infrequently mentioned as the first couple married. The first birth was to Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Reynolds—a daughter.

      The State road through Trenton and Knoxville was built in the fall of 1838. T. D. Butt, Caleb Reece, and John Coleman were Commissioners. The first stage road ran past the Manley and Miles farms and through Trenton, crossing neither hill nor bridge from Knoxville to Spoon River. The Victoria post road was also laid very early. The first iron bridge was built in 1875, where the present Appleton bridge now stands. That structure was replaced in 1892 by a larger one. There are now several good iron bridges, including a new one at Dahinda.

      The first land plowed in the township was a six-acre tract in the southeast quarter of the northeastern portion of Section 26. The first crops were of wheat and oats, William Morris raising the wheat and threshing it by horse power.

      Persifer boasts the first mill in Knox County. It was built by Robert Hendrix in 1834, on Court Creek, just above where the Knoxville and Victoria road crosses, in Section 19. It did not contain a single piece of sawed timber. Only corn was ground at first, but subsequently wheat also was run through the stones. Later it was transformed into a saw mill, and was finally swept away by a flood in 1851. The next structure of this description built was the Elliott mill, at the mouth of Court Creek, on Spoon River. It was put up in 1840, by Mr. McKee. It was originally designed for sawing logs, but was afterwards made into a flouring mill, and was for more than twenty years one of the most important in the county. It was torn down in 1881. The third in the township was built by Charles Haptonstall, about 1848. It stood on Court Creek, about half a mile above the present Appleton bridge. Only corn and buckwheat were ground. The edifice was not substantial, and remained standing but a few years.

      The first church building was Bethel Chapel, built in 1863 on Section 30, and costing eighteen hundred dollars. There are now five churches. Those at Bethel and Maxey are Methodist; those at Mound and Persifer are of the United Brethren denomination and at Dahinda there is a Mormon Church, of which mention is made below. Rev. S. S. Miles preached the first sermon, in the house of Charles Bradford, in June, 1836, and organized the first Sunday school at the same place in 1838. There are now six Sunday schools in the township, one at each of the churches and one at the Town Hall at Appleton.

      The first school of which any mention is made was taught by Mary Ann Long, in a cabin one-fourth of a mile south of Bethel Church, about 1839. It was supported by subscription. The first school house was built of logs, about 1841, and stood on the Wilson and Caldwell farms, on Section 30. Who taught the first public school is an unsettled question. Some give John McIntosh the honor of being the pioneer teacher, while others confer it upon Curtis Edgarton. James and George McPherrin, Neptin, Lucinda and Mary Russell, Charles Butt, Jacob Brunk and John Hearn were pupils.

      The township was divided into school districts January 10, 1846, and there are now nine good frame school houses, valued at about $6,500, in which two hundred and fourteen pupils are taught. None of the schools are graded.

      The first post office was established about 1847, and was named by the people in honor of General Persifer Frazer Smith. Charles Bradford was the first postmaster, and the office was in his home, on Section 27. When the township was organized, it took the name of the post office.

      The first house is supposed to have been a log cabin on the Morris farm, which was burned soon after it was built. T. D. Butt erected the first structure intended for a tavern as well as dwelling, in 1837. It stood on Section 29, and was for several years a stopping place for travelers. The first house weather-boarded and painted white was the Easley house on Section 30. The first frame house was either that of Captain Taylor in Trenton, or of Edmund Russell on Section 31. The Taylor house was of native white pine, sawed at the Elliott mill and is still standing. The Russell home was built from hewed hardwood, and was burned about 1886. Both were constructed about 1841. James M. Maxey built the first brick house in 1851, making his own brick. It is still standing on Section 4, but is not used as a dwelling.

      George W. Manley was the first Justice of the Peace. The first town officers, elected April 5, 1853, were: G. W. Manley, Supervisor; Richard Daniel, Clerk; James McCord, Assessor; William T. Butt, Collector; Wilson Pearce, Overseer of the Poor; Francis Wilson, Caleb Reece and David Cobb, Highway Commissioners; R. W. Miles and Thomas Patton, Justices; L. A. Parkins and David Russell, Constables. G. W. Manley was moderator, and Richard Daniel clerk, of this election.

      The present township officers are: J. R. Young, Supervisor; N. C. Dawson, Clerk; C. I. Butt, Assessor; John E. Gibson, Collector; J. C. Montgomery, Jacob Lorance and Ole Olson, Highway Commissioners; O. P. Gates and David Russell, Justices of the Peace; Jerry Wallack and J.J. Patton, Constables; J. J. Patton, G. W. Butt, and Jacob Lorance, School Trustees; O. P. Gates, School Treasurer.

      The township furnished one soldier to the Mexican War, Edward Thorp, and a large number of men from Persifer volunteered during the War of the Rebellion. The following is a list of those who entered the army, some of whom, however, were credited to other places: S. C. Arie, H. Benson, H. K. Benson, Anthony Blair, William Bolden, Winslow H. Bradford, Albert Bullard, E. Bullard, D. W. Butt, G. W. Butt, S. M. Butt, Thomas Wesley Butt, Drury Dalton, James Daniel, William Daniel, Washington Dilley, Peter F. Dillon, Milton Dipper, James A. Donnelly, Jefferson W. Donnelly, Hiram Elliott, James Elliott, Warren Elliott, T. B. Farquer, Theophilus Farquer, Daniel Flood, Benjamin Flynn, William Flynn, Alfred Gardner, T. J. Gordon, J. D. Green, Samuel Gullett, Charles Haptenstall, J. Haptenstall, William Haptenstall, William S. Henderson, J. A. Irving, Samuel Kite, J. Lutkieweicz, James McDowell, William B. McElwain, S. J. Maxey, George Miranda, J. F. Mire, Richard F. Mire, Alexander Mitchell, Levan Parkins, J. H. Patton, Samuel F. Patton, Theodore Perkins, Edwin Phillips, E. A. Pratt, Alfred Russell, Warren Russell, William Russell, W. G. Sargeant , Alfred Spidle, DeWitt C. Standiford, Samuel Strine, John Sutherland, Jacob Wallack , James O. Wallack, James Warrensford, Green White, Isaac Wilhelm, Benjamin F. Wills, Arthur Wyman, and N. Zimmerman.

      The veterans now living in Persifer are: Frank Beamer, G W. Butts, Silas Berkshire, William Dalton, George England, T. B. Farquer, Alfred Gardner, Jacob La Folplette, David Ramp, Jerry Syler, William G. Sargeant, Simeon Temple, James Warrensford, and Jerry Wallack.

      Charles Clark was the only volunteer during the Spanish-American War of 1898.

      Trenton was laid out on the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 25, on July 30, 1839 by Hiram Bowman. It once contained a grocery, a small pottery and brick yard, and a tavern. There are now two dwellings on the site.

APPLETON

      The village was laid out by the Hon. J. H. Lewis in the spring of 1888, on the southeast quarter of Section 16. Mills Voris was the surveyor. It contains a freight and express office, two stores, a grain elevator, a blacksmith shop, a carpenter shop, a lumber yard, and nine dwellings. E. J. Steffin is postmaster. Persifer Town Hall, which cost over six hundred dollars, is here. Some grain and a large quantity of stock are shipped from here annually. During the last year, W. H. McElwain shipped more than fifty cars of hogs.

DAHINDA

      This place was laid out in the summer of 1888, by the Santa Fe Town and Land Company. It is held in the name of the president of that company and contains 47.74 acres. It stands on the northwest quarter of Section 24. It contains a freight and express office, two stores, a blacksmith shop, a grain elevator, and twenty-five dwellings, one of which is a boarding house. The railroad has a pump house and tank, and a fine bridge over Spoon River. R. J. Bedford is the village doctor and William G. Sargeant is postmaster and notary. There is a good school house, and a Mormon Church, dedicated in 1896 under the name of “The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.” D. C. Smith is the minister and leading man of this organization. This is the little burg of where Foxie your host now lives. There is not much here but a Post Office and some houses, and the Methodist Church.

HENDERSON TOWNSHIP

      Henderson was the first township in Knox County to be settled by white men. In February, 1828, Daniel and Alexander Robertson came to Section 15. They were soon followed by others, and by 1830, a good many people had settled within its boundaries. (Much of Henderson’s early history will be found in the articles on Knox County and County Government.)

      Henderson is well watered by the branches which make up the head waters of Henderson River. Along these creeks originally stood one of the finest bodies of timber in Illinois. It was a favorite resort for Indians, who, on Sections 23 and 26, had extensive fields of corn. A well was dug at an early day on Section 30, near the creek. At a depth of sixty feet ashes, stumps, a red cedar log and general rubbish were found in as perfect a state of preservation as though the fires had just gone out. Until the Black Hawk War, the Indians were very friendly, remaining in their wigwams and helping the settlers in sugar making, but at the outbreak of that disturbance they went away, but without committing any deprecations.

      The prairie land which comprises about one-half the township is very good. Along the edge of this prairie, and near to the timber, the first settlers located. For their mail they had to go to Rushville, seventy-five miles away. In 1833, a post office, with John G. Sanburn as the first Postmaster, was established in the settlement. The post office, under the same name, “Knox Court House”, was afterwards moved to Knoxville. In 1830 the first “corn-cracker” was put up, and in 1837, Silvanus Western, William and Olmstead Ferris put up a steam saw-mill, and not long after added mill-stones, grinding corn and making unbolted flour.

      Rev. Jacob Gum preached the first sermon, in 1829, at the house of John B. Gum. F. B. Barber taught the first school, in a log shanty near the grove in 1830. Mr. Barber afterward moved to Texas where he died. In 1833, Harmon G. Brown opened a school, on Section 31. At present there are four hundred and seventy-five persons under twenty-one years of age in the township, of whom two hundred and fifty-nine attend the twelve public schools, one of which is graded. The school houses are frame structures and are worth seven thousand, three hundred dollars.

      The first settlers were fond of hunting, and devoted much of their time to the chase. One of the disastrous prairie fires was discovered by H. G. Brown, Peter Frans, and Ben Bruington while out hunting. They returned home from their quest for game to engage in fighting the flames during an entire night.

      Only one village, Henderson, has ever been started in the township. One of the farmers, Henry M. Sisson, has made the township famous by his fine hogs, which he has shipped all over the country. His biography may be found on another page.

      At the first town election, April 5, 1863, one hundred and fifty-five votes were cast, resulting in the election of Peter Frans, Supervisor; Martin W. Gay, Clerk; James McMurtry, Assessor; C. G. Dean, Collector; Thomas McKee and Abraham Jackson, Justices.

      The Independent Order of Odd Fellows have a Lodge here.

      A brief record of the church history of the township will be of interest. The first church edifice was built at Henderson, and was the result of the efforts of Baptists and Methodists, jointly. In 1874, the Methodists erected a structure of their own. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Waters, and at present the congregation is under the pastoral charge of the minister residing at Wataga. The Baptists have not now any distinctively sectarian place of worship. A Lutheran church was organized at Soperville, in 1870, and a building erected in 1881. Rev. Mr. Westerdahl was the first pastor, and the present occupant of the pulpit is Rev. H. Olson. There are some two hundred and twenty-five communicants. At one time there was a Christian (sometimes called Campbellite) church in the township, but it no longer exists. The same statement may be predicated of the “Church of Latter Day Saints” (Mormon), which flourished at Soperville in the early days.

Henderson Village

      The village known by this name was laid out June 11, 1835, by Parnach Owen, for Calvin Glass, on Section 14 of Henderson Township. It was incorporated in 1838, an election being held March 7, at which twenty-eight votes were cast for the measure and none in opposition.

      In early days it was a flourishing place, with five general stores, besides a number of other shops. Gardiner and Chapin built the first store. Between 1840 and 1850, over thirty coopers were employed here in making pork and whiskey barrels, which were shipped all over the State.

      In 1839, the post office here was the largest in the county, and previous to the building of the railroad Henderson was nearly as important a place as either Knoxville or Galesburg; and was able to exert sufficient influence to secure the insertion of a provision in the railroad incorporation act that the line should pass through the town, but the provision was evaded. Nevertheless, when the Central Military Trace Railroad was constructed, it was a stirring village, though fallen behind its rivals, Knoxville and Galesburg. Subsequently, trade being attracted to the railroad stations, the village steadily declined, until little remained. The construction of the Rio branch of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad has saved it from extinction, and some little improvement appears.

      In 1839, Ben Campbell established a distillery, which Mr. Koons bought, and removed to Section 10. Early in the thirties a saw mill was started here which, in 1841, was owned by Calvin Glass, who that same year started in it a still with a capacity of ten barrels a day. It was burned the same year. The next year Poyer and Wickes put up a still with a daily capacity of twenty barrels, a little north of Henderson. It too burned in about a year, and with its destruction ended the attempts at distilling in Henderson.

      Population: 1850, 378; 1880, 198; 1890, 163; 1899, estimated at 125.

      This portion of Knox County is situated in the extreme northwest corner, the greater part of it consisting of good farming land, being well drained by Pope Creek, which flows through the northern tier of sections, and various branches of Henderson River. About one-fourth of the township was originally composed of timbered land, that bordering on Pope Creek being rather poor in quality, while, on the contrary, the timber along the Henderson River was excellent. Coal has been mined to a limited extent in this locality. Stock-raising was formerly the principal agricultural pursuit, but of late years that industry has been superseded by the raising of grain, there being at present 19,800 acres of improved land, much of which has been increased in value by tilling.

      From all available records it would appear that Joseph Rowe was the first white man to settle in the township, (Foxie note: he later moved to Floyd Twp., Warren Co., IL, and is buried in the Silent Home Cemetery); his arrival being closely followed by Reece Jones and Joseph Halliday, while John Cresswell came to Section 27 in 1832. A stockade, the erection of which was made necessary by the Black Hawk War, was, in honor of Mrs. Cresswell, called “Fort Aggie”. John R. Woolley located a claim here in 1832, and Samuel Brown arrived in 1834. The latter states that very little land was under cultivation at that time. The following pioneers settled in the township in 1836: Isaac M. Wetmore; John F. Wikoff, who journeyed from Ohio on horseback and erected a cabin in the woods west of the present homestead; George W. Weir; Elsia Robertson, who once saw a drove of more than fifty deer in this vicinity; Larkin Robertson; Nelson and Lewis Coe; Samuel Melton; and P. W. Epperson. Luther Fitch came in 1840, Eber Moor and John L. Bloomfield arrived in 1845, and the Maxwell family were also early settlers. John B. Edar first located in Knox County in 1832, removing to Rio in 1867. Alexander Heflin was born in Rio, and Mrs. Heflin’s grandfather, John McMurtry, participated in the Black Hawk War. Among the pioneer business men were the Robinson brothers, who were engaged extensively in cattle-raising. Their sales averaged $400,000 annually for seven years.

      April 5, 1835, witnessed the birth in the township of the first white child, Thomas Marion Goff. On December 29, 1836, was celebrated the first marriage, that of Allen S. Brown and Mary (Polly) McMurtry, the latter of whom still survives. The first death was that of Mrs. Mary Williamson McMurtry.

      This part of Knox County was at one time called North Prairie, but when the citizens met on January 14, 1850, to name the township, Rio Grande was on every tongue—the Mexican War having just come to a successful termination—and the first part of that name was suggested as being appropriate to this region, more particularly so by reason of the numerous streams with which it abounds. The meeting, however, adjourned, leaving the question to be decided by the county officials, and they, at the solicitation of Lewis Coe, determined on Rio as their choice.

      The first town election was held April 5, 1853, one hundred and four votes being cast for the following successful candidates: Reuben Heflin, Supervisor; Paul Hahn, Clerk; Lewis Goff, Assessor; Daniel Robertson, Collector; Josephus Hahn, Overseer of the Poor; Larkin Robertson, Justice of the Peace; W. D. Epperson, Constable; Samuel Brown, John Gibson, and T. J. Jones, Highway Commissioners.

      The first school in the township was taught by Mrs. Cresswell, at her home. There are now nine school districts, comprising one graded and eight un-graded schools, each of them having a library. Of the former Miss Mary E. Maley is principal, and Miss Mary A. Hurst assistant, the enrolment numbering fifty pupils. The nine frame buildings devoted to educational purposes are valued at $5,560, and the libraries at $287. Of three hundred and fifty-nine persons under twenty-one years of age, one hundred and eighty-seven attend the public schools.

Villages

      Rio Village was platted in 1871 by William Robinson, and was first called Coburg, in honor of the Coe brothers. The pioneer store was built and conducted by Messrs. Schroeder and Owens. The post office was originally called North Prairie, Nelson Coe being the first postmaster. The present incumbent of that position is Frederick A. Landon, a very efficient and courteous official. The business interests of the village are in the hands of competent and energetic merchants. H. F. Schroeder and Company have a fine line of dry goods and groceries, while Sexton and Landon have been in the same business for about five years. Labar and Junk supply the people with hardware and furniture; S. S. Bair conducts a grocery and notion store; James G. T. Mansfield deals in lumber and hardware; C. F. Peters carries on a restaurant; Mead and Mead, a meat market; and the Misses Junk and Fisher a millinery establishment. The Rio Hotel is under the management of J. Van Arsdale; David Eiken is the village smith, and also keeps a wagon shop; and the elevator, which does an extensive business, is operated by Fraser and Graham.

      Fraternally, Rio Township is well represented. Blue Lodge, No. 685, A. F. and A.M., was chartered October 1, 1872 by D. C. Cregier, G. M.; O. N. Miner, Secretary; Robert Deatherage, Master; Alexander Heflin, S. W.; William Hair, J.W.; and the following charter members: Joshua Bruner, M. Conley, F. A. Landon, Robert Robson, W. D. Wright, J. B. Edgar, D. Robertson, C. I. Epperson, G. M. Wetmore, J. Shankholtzer, R. Allgeyer, and M. S. Shepherd. The present officers are: M. Dickerson, Master; Dr. J. N. Cox, S.W.; D. L. Rowe, J. W. There are sixty-eight members.

      Horeb Chapter, No. 4, A. F. and A.M., was organized October 14, 1850, with these officers: G. C. Lanphere, High Priest; E. S. Cooper, King; J. M. Witt, Scribe. The charter was issued by W. B. Warren and J. E. Anderson. The present officers are: L. J. Smith, High Priest; Frank Campbell, King; N. Moody, Scribe. The membership numbers one hundred.

      The Rio Lodge I.O.O. F. has twenty-five members and occupies its own hall. The first officers were: L. S. Whitcomb, N. G.; H. E. Whipple, V. G.; William Van Tassell, Secretary; J. C. McMurtry, Treasurer. The officers now serving are: D. Deatherage, N. G.; S. Lovis, V. G.; G. A. Wier, Secretary; A. Larson, Treasurer.

      Rio Camp, Modern Woodmen, holds its meetings in Odd Fellows Hall. The charter members numbered sixteen and the initial officers were: E. H. Schrieber, V. C.; C. F. Peterson, C.; B. G. Peterson, B; J. C. Egan, W. A. The present officers are: E. J. Tye, V. C.; C. F. Peterson, C.; J. W. Epperson, B.; Monie Almgren, W. A. The Camp now has twenty-five members.

      Chapter No. 313, O. E. S., was organized August 2, 1895, with twenty-one members and these officers: Lizzie Schreiber, W. M.; J. P. son (?), Secretary; Josephine Smith, Treasurer. The present officers are: Mary McMurtry, W. M.; Adam Littlefield, W. P.; Josephine Smith, A. M.; Lois Epperson, Secretary; Ella Bair, Treasurer. There are now fifty-two members, who meet in the Masonic Hall.

      The Home Forum has a flourishing Camp in Rio.