Knox County ILGenWeb

[The township name was changed from Cherry Grove to Cedar on June 8, 1853.]

From the 1870 Atlas Map of Knox County, Illinois, Andreas, Lyter & Co., Davenport, Iowa, 91 pages.  [Submitted by Bob Miller.]

"Rev. Hiram Palmer settled on Section 7, in 1828, O. P. Swarts, August, 1829.  The first birth was Ellen E. Swarts, sister of O. P. Swarts, Nov., 1829.  The first marriage was U. D. Coy and Susie Lattimer, Dec., 1833; the first death was Miss Olive Strange, niece of Rev. John Strange, of Indiana, in 1834.  Hiram Palmer preached the first sermon at the residence of A. D. Swarts in the winter of 1830.  Cedar Township has probably the most natural advantages of any in the country.  On either side is a fine body of timber, while the center is unusually fine, rolling prairie, with a living stream of water on nearly every 1/4 Section.  A part of the beautiful City of Abingdon is in the south part.  Saluda in the northern part, with Galesburg and Knoxville not far from its borders.  Stock raising is a specialty and is carried on extensively and successfully.  ...."

From the 1878 History of Knox County, Illinois published by Charles C. Chapman.  [Submitted by Joan Achille.]

"The township is 10 north, range 1 east, and was one of the earliest settled townships in the county.  It is said that Rev. Hiram PALMER settled on section 7, in 1828.  Abraham D. SWARTZ came to the township in 1829.  Jonathan LATIMER came in 1832 and settled on section 28.  He erected a little log cabin, and not being able to construct a door for some time, they filled a bed-tick with straw and hung it in the doorway to keep out the cold.  Wolves frequently came prowling around and threatening an invasion of the house.  When her husband was away from home Mrs. Latimer would keep up a fire all night to prevent the wolves from entering the house.  These pests of a new country would often come to the doorway and press against the bed, crowding it in; but when they saw the fire would retreat.  Mrs. Latimer says they have done this many nights, but the bright fire kept them at bay.  Mrs. Latimer has often taken the products of her loom on horseback to Knoxville, and exchanged them for family supplies.  Mrs. Catharine REED, widow of John REED, settled on section 17 in 1836.  They located on the very ground the Indians camped on before the Black Hawk War, and used water from the same spring.  Mrs. REED was born in Scotland, in 1790, and came to America in 1796.  She at present resides with her son-in-law, J. W. KAYS, of this township.  One of the early settlers of this township is Reuben CASTLE, who came in 1834 and settled in section 12.  The country was in its native state, except here and there a cabin, and a field improved, until 1844; and while prairie fires ran over the country all the grass and brush were annually burned off.  As soon as these fires were stopped the timber began to grow; and now much of it has attained lofty proportions, and will make from four to six rails to the cut.  Mr. CASTLE says that panthers, wolves and other animals would prowl around, destroying stock and annoying the settlers.  William BEVANS, in 1834, was carrying some soft soap to his home from where he was working, and was attacked by three black wolves.  In defending himself with his axe he spilled his soap, and while the wolves were devouring it he fled and reached home safely.

The first child born in this township was Helen E. SWARTZ, daughter of A. D. SWARTZ, born in November, in 1829.  The first marriage was that of U. D. Coy and Susie Latimer, in December, 1833.  The first death was Miss Olive Strange, who died in 1834.  The first sermon was preached at the residence of A. D. SWARTZ, by Rev. Hiram PALMER."

From the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago.  [Submitted by Vicki Burton.]

The first settlement made in this township was by Azel Dorsey, who with his family located on the northwest quarter of section 18, in 1878. He sold out soon after to Mr. Finch, who was a Methodist exhorter, and moved to Fulton County. Mr. Finch subsequently sold out and moved to Missouri.

With Mr. Dorsey came Rev. Hiram Palmer, who located near him on section 7. Mr. Palmer was a Methodist preacher. He subsequently, in the spring of 1832, moved to the southeast quarter of section 32, where the Abingdon Cemetery is now located.

In 1829 Abraham D. Swartz and family, from Warren County, moved in, settling on the southwest quarter of section 17. This place is now occupied by James Kays. He had settled in Warren County, to make a home there, but being an ardent Methodist, and learning that there were some of his faith here, he moved over, in order to be with his brethren. With him came his nephew, Josiah Stillings. It was Mr. Swartz who first conceived the idea of founding a college at Abingdon. Over twenty-five years, however, passed away before this project was carried out, and then Mr. Swartz had gone to his long home. The establishment of Hedding College is due mainly to the earnest efforts made by this noble Christian gentleman.

He died in 1852, and was buried in Abingdon Cemetery. His devoted wife had preceded him to that better home. They died of typhoid fever. It was Mr. Swartz who laid out the town of Abingdon. They had eight children, three boys and five girls. They are all dead but one boy and two girls. The oldest girl lives in Washington Territory, and the youngest, Sarah E., who married Mr. Thos. R. Wilson, is also living in Washington Territory. The son is living in Kansas.

The next settler was Joseph Latimer and family of four children, from Tennessee. They moved in in 1831, and made a claim on the northwest quarter of section 29. Mr. Latimer was a good citizen, and built him up here a fine home. He and his wife died at their home and were buried in Cherry Grove burying-ground. George Latimer, son of Joseph, came in 1831 and settled on section 29. He was followed in 1832 by his brother Jonathan, who settled on section 28. He came from Sangamon County, where he had been living awhile. Jacob West, father-in-law of Jonathan Latimer, came with him, settling near by. In 1833 Joshua Bland came with a large family, settling in section 16. Dennis Clark came in this year and lived with Col. Geo. G. Latimer. He was a smart, active and intelligent young man and made himself very popular as well as useful about the settlement. Mr. Bland was quite a benefactor to this new settlement, manifesting this element in his nature by erecting a corn-cracker. It was started in 1833 and located at the headwaters of Branch Creek, as it was called. It was moved by horse power, and rather a primitive arrangement, yet it was as welcome as the night dews to the withered flowers. Before this mill was started the settlers went to Ellisville, on Spoon River, to have their grain ground, and afterward, too, for his little mill was not equal to the increasing demand made upon it. Ellisville Mill was very good for those days, and was largely patronized from an extended area of territory. People going there for their grists were sometimes obliged to wait a whole week before they could turn their faces homeward; and often, while there, kept body and soul together by eating parched corn. There was only one dwelling-house at the mill; and that was not set up as an eleemosynary institution and could not be expected to feed all the hungry people waiting the slow turning of this mill. While this was not a mill of the gods, yet it was not fast in the grinding.

Wm. Bevins and family made an addition to this settlement in 1834, locating on section 23. He was a son-in-law of Mr. Bland. After dwelling here for six years his wife died, and he subsequently removed to Iowa, where he died. Lewis and Bennett Spurlock also moved in this year, settling on section 23. Lewis was a great deer-hunter. His success in hunting this game kept the settlement very liberally supplied with venison. After all, this settlement fell under a very propitious circumstances, for Bevins was a great bee-hunter, and with plenty of corn-cake, honey and venison, they were not likely to go hungry. Bennett Spurlock moved away ; Lewis lived and died here. Reuben Castle, hearing of this happy and thrifty settlement, came in this year, making a claim on section 12. A great claim, however, was made by this pioneer, to the hand of Miss Lang, which he took with the owner, to strengthen and brighten his castle. Neither of these persons has had cause to regret this action, for many years have rolled by to bless the union, leaving them yet living happily together at the old homestead. About this time Hugh A. Kelly and wife, a brother-in-law of Castle, came in, settling on section 15. He was an active man in township matters and is still living. In mentioning the early settlers, Mrs. Catharine Reed should not be overlooked. She was a widow of John Reed, who settled on section 17 in 1836. His location was made on the ground the Indians camped on before the Black Hawk War. Mrs. Reed was born in Scotland in 1790, and emigrated to this country in 1796.

The first couple to join their hearts and hands as one, in this township, were U. D. Coy and Susan Latimer in December, 1832. They afterward moved to Iowa, where they died. Mr. Coy was in the Black Hawk War.

The first natural increase to the population of this settlement was in the person of little Miss Ellen Swartz, November 29, daughter of A. B. Swartz, whose advent into this community was as welcome as a bright May morning.

The first death was Miss Olive Strange, who died in 1834. She was a niece of Rev. John Strange, of Indiana, and came to this place with John Kays, in 1833.

The first school taught here was in the winter of 1835-36, by Mr. Seymour, at Cherry Grove.

Rev. Hiram Palmer was the first man to administer religious food in the way of preaching to the people. Service was held at this time at the residence of A. D. Swartz.

Wolves were quite plenty here in the early days and were very troublesome to the settlers. Some of the cabins had no doors other than straw bedticks hung up at the entrance to keep out the cold. When the husband would necessarily be compelled to be absent of a night the wife would keep up a bright fire during the long hours, to prevent any invasion by these hungry and dangerous animals. These wolves not only annoyed the settlers by their prowling about the cabins, but were constantly preying upon the sheep and young stock. Panthers were also seen occasionally about the settlements.

Cedar Township is numbered ten, north of range one east, and is bounded on the north by Galesburg, on the east by Orange, on the south by Indian Point Township, on the west by Warren County. It is watered by Branch Creek and other little streams. A greater portion of the township is undulating prairie with a rich soil.

April 5, 1853, a meeting was held for the purpose of perfecting a township organization. The voters selected Hugh A. Kelly, Moderator, and L. W. Conger, Clerk, and then proceeded to cast their votes. E. P. Dunlap was chosen Supervisor ; Wm. Marks, Clerk ; Wm. 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 ; Thos. S. Bassett, Overseer of the Poor ; Sol. Stigall and Eli Butler, Constables. The election was held at what was then Louisville, about two 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.

This township was organized as Cherry Grove, but was changed to Cedar. In 1855 the place for holding elections was changed to Abingdon. The same year the township was furnished the means of transportation by the completion of what was called the Northern Cross Railroad, from Quincy to Galesburg. There is but one town in Cedar, which is Abingdon, and is located about midway on the southern line of the township. It is highly cultivated, and splendid farms, with fine houses and farm buildings, can be seen in every part of it. Special attention has been given, of late years, to the cultivation of blooded stock - Short-horns and the hornless breed - and in this line Cedar ranks first of the townships in the county.

Cedar Township has eight school districts, all of which have ungraded schools. Value of school property, $8,000, with two brick and six frame school-houses. Number of libraries worth $200, four. Of persons under 11 years of age there were 448, of whom 345 were of school age, 320 being enrolled. The highest wages paid male teachers were $45, the lowest $30; the highest paid female teachers were $40, and the lowest $25. The tax levy was $2,355. The population of Cedar, in 1880, was 1,976, which is about the number of inhabitants at the present writing.

SUPERVISORS

Below are given the names of the citizens who have been honored by the votes of this township with the office of Supervisor : E. P. Dunlap, 1853-54; J. R. Johnson, 1855; Thos. B. Mount, 1856-57; H. A. Kelly, 1858; J. W. Stephens, 1859-62; James McKinnie, 1863; Shaftoe Lowrey, 1864; E. S. Hardin, 1865-68; M. C. Bates, 1869; E. S. Hardin, 1870; M. C. Bates, 1871-72; P. M. Shoop, 1873-74; M. C. Bates, 1875-76; J. S. Latimer, 1877-79; M. C. Kimball, 1880-85.