Welcome!
Knox County ILGenWeb is a free genealogical site about the history of the county. We hope you find helpful clues for your research of ancestors and relatives of the county.
Are you familiar with the area? Do you have a family tree connection to the area? Volunteers are always needed! Please consider contributing your pieces of Knox County family history. Corrections, updates, and additions to this site are always welcome.
This county is adoptable.
See this webpage for more information if you are interested.
Contact: ILGenWeb State Coordinator
COUNTY FORMATION
Knox
County was created in January 13, 1825.
It was one of ten counties carved from a large section of military tract.
"East from the fourth principal meridian on the line between towns 8 and 9
north, to the line between ranges 4 and 5 east; thence north to the line
between towns 12 and 13 north; thence west to the fourth principal meridian;
thence south to the beginning." Previously, since 1823, it fell in Fulton
county's boundaries. In 1821 it became a portion of Pike County.
From 1812 to 1820 the land was part of Madison county.
Knox county was named in honor of Revolutionary War General Henry Knox, who is known as the father of the American army artillery.
