William Knox was born in Paris, Canada, June 2,1817; was married
August 21, 1842, to Miss Jane Emery, at Prophetstown, Illinois. Mr.
Knox came to Whiteside county with his father, and settled near
Prophetstown, in 1835, having previously lived in New York. In 1837,
upon his father moving to what is now Mt. Pleasant township,
he purchased the ferry at Prophetstown, and did a large business
for several years. He closed out his business in that part of the
county and came to the vicinity of Morrison in 1842, settling on
section 16. Subsequently he located on section 14, where he has since
resided. Mr. Knox is largely engaged in farming, owning a number of
valuable tracts of land. His children are Sarah Jane, born April 17,
1845; Harriet Ellen, born March, 1847; Walter E., born May 25,1851;
Martin W., born March 19,1854; William H., born October 8, 1856;
Andrew J., born September 27, 1858; Clarence and Claretta, born
June 5, 1866. The first-mentioned died at the age of five years.
Mr. Knox spent the years of his minority in obtaining his education. In 1878 he detached himself from home associations and rented a farm in Mount Pleasant Township, on which he operated two years. In 1881 he made a permanent settlement on a farm of 150 acres on section 25, of which he is the owner, in Union Grove Township. Of this 115 acres are under excellent cultivation.
The marriage of Mr. Knox to Cora M. Harrison took place Jan. 1, 1879, in the township of Mt. Pleasant. Two children have been added to the household circle, -Olive L. and Ruby H. Mrs. Knox was born Oct.12, 1859, in Ohio, and she is the daughter of Thomas and Electa A. (Hoag) Harrison. Her father was a native of England and her mother was born in the State of New York. After a residence of some years in the State last named and in Ohio, they came, in the spring of 1868, to Whiteside County and fixed their residence in the township of Mt. Pleasant. Mrs. Knox has one brother younger than herself-George F. Harrison. Mr. Knox is identified with the Republican party in political sentiment. "
Portrait and Biographical - Pg 234
Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County Page 299
William H. Knox, of Union Grove Township is a native citizen of Whiteside County, and was born Oct. 8, 1856, in Mt. Pleasant Township. His parents, William and Mary J. (Emery) Knox, came to Whiteside County in 1835, and after residing some time in Prophetstown, removed to the township of Mt Pleasant and there the father died, Dec 20, 1884. The mother is still living. The names of their eight children were Sarah J., Harriet, Walter E., Martin W., William H., Andrew J., Clarence D., and Clara M.
