1918 Annals - Knox Township
By O. L. Campbell
Knox township, Knox county, Illinois, goes to par in this, the year of our
Lord, 1919. In the early days of a century ago, as was mete and proper,
counties and towns were named after famous generals of the wars of preceding
years, and Knox county, Knox township and Knoxville have always pointed with
pride to the brave General Henry Knox, a soldier of the war of the
revolution, who commanded the storming party at the battle of Stony Point.
After a major general and Washington's secretary of state this garden of
Eden was named. "For there was nothing base or small, or craven, in his
soul's broad plan." In his second annual message to the House of
Representatives, November 6, 1818, President Monroe laid before that body
for their advice and consent the several treaties which had been made with
the twenty-five tribes of Indians. By reference to the journal of
commissioners it appeared that George and Levi Calbert had bargained and
sold to the United States the reservations made to them by the treaty of
1816, and that a deed of trust had been made by them to James Jackson of
Nashville, Tennessee. He therefore suggested that in case the Chickasaw
treaty was approved by the senate the propriety of providing for the payment
of the sum stipulated to be given to them for their reservation. The land
upon which Knox county was located was, therefore, ceded to the United
States, August 30th, 1819, just a hundred years ago. The exact location of
the township is number eleven north of range two east and is marked by the
C, B. & Q. railway survey as being the highest point of land and almost
equi-distant between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. According to the
state records, Knoxville is the tenth town incorporated in the State of
Illinois. The land is a rich, alluvial soil, being thoroughly drained on the
south by Haw Creek and on the north by Court Creek. It was on this high
point that the Indians and many friendly tribes, passing through from Peoria
Lake to the Mississippi River, found a pleasant home, and there are many
evidences that this point was their headquarters for many years. On the road
which led north from Hebard street, recently closed, many arrow heads and
chips of flint were found. The early settlers found a cleared plot of ground
about a half mile north of town showing evidences of having been used for
raising crops. Surrounding this field was a dense timber of white and black
oak trees of immense size, growing so closely together that the sun could
scarcely shine through the leaves. But closer and on the border of the
clearing, was an abundance of wild fruit, including strawberries,
raspberries and blackberries, while immense wild cherry, red and black haw
trees bore fruit of most excellent quality and in great abundance. So
carefully had this fruit been cultivated that even as late as 1860 fruit of
rare quality and unlimited quantity was gathered by the white people.
Old Captain Stevens, a retired naval officer, who made his home in
Knoxville, organized a cavalry company of young men of this community and it
was on this spot of land that the company was drilled. When the boys were
sufficiently skilled in military tactics, P. D. Rogers, for many years
proprietor of the old Hebard House, was elected captain and they were ready
to defend the people from incursions of all foes. Another company, with
Captain Hale of the United States regular army, as drill master, was
organized about the year 1855, and with their old muzzle-loading guns, they
were so proficient that when the call to arms came in 1861, Knoxville was
among the first to respond to the call by Lincoln for an army of defense. A
little later a company of Zouaves was organized, but the calls for recruits
were then so frequent that its members soon enlisted for "three years or
during the war." At this time Knoxville was the county seat and this
probably accounts for the fact that the town is credited with sending 547
soldiers to the front during the War of the Rebellion. When the call came
for volunteers for the war with Spain, 29 Knox township boys responded.
During the late World War, 132 responded from this township to fight for
"freedom for all, forever."
It was in Knox township that the Indians spent their summers and harvested
their crops, made their preparations for their annual hunt in the region now
known as Wisconsin.
The east part of the State of Illinois in 1790 and the larger part of
Indiana was once named Knox county, but by a change, in boundaries, Knox was
joined to Fulton county.
Knoxville was a stopping place and trading point for the Indians who lived
in or traded through this locality 75 and more years ago. Sam McFarland, who
lived in Chestnut township, tells of coming to Knoxville 77 years ago with
his father to see a tribe of Indians pass through this place, it being the
only town of importance between the two rivers. The Black Hawk Indians were
in the habit of coming down from Rock Island with a supply of beaded
moccasins and other specimens of their work to sell to the visitors here.
Where less than a century ago wolves and deer roamed in the wild country,
now thousands of sleek cattle browse on the rich pastures.
Early Settlers
The first child born in Knox township was Grace Hansford, whose married name
was Shock. She was the daughter of Dr. Charles Hansford, our first
physician, and she was born in 1834. E. T. Eads, a son of John Eads, was the
first boy born in this city and he first saw the light of day in 1835.
Harvey Montgomery, who is now living on the spot where he was born, is the
oldest child in the township, and has probably lived longer in the county
than any other person now alive. The date of his birth is 1834. He is the
largest land owner in the town, having more than 1,200 acres upon which he
pays taxes. Jacob Gum came here from Menard county in 1827. He was the first
student of the first school taught in the county. The first couple married
here was Alexander Osborne and Ann Hendricks, who were united in the hold
bonds of matrimony July 1, 1829.
Our first postoffice was established in 1831, and John G. Sanburn was our
first postmaster. The first observance of Independence Day was in what is
now known as Gilbert's Park on July 4, 1836, and Hon. James Knox was the
orator of the day. The display of fireworks was on the prairie north of the
Knoxville Old Ladies' Home. Balls of candle wicking were soaked in what was
then known as coal oil and they were lighted and thrown from one side of the
lawn to the other. When the balls began to unravel and streams of fire were
seen flying from one to the other.
The first meeting of the board of supervisors was in Knoxville in 1853, The
first session of the circuit court was held October 1, 1830, Judge Richard
M. Young, presiding. The first jail was built in 1832 at a cost of $250, J.
G. Sanburn being the builder and contractor.
The first men tried for murder in the county was John Root, a Henry county
man. John M. Osborn was the only man ever hung in Knox county, suffering the
death penalty for the murder of Adelia M. Matthews, at Yates City, August 5,
1872.
Our first hotel was built on the corner of the public square and West Main
street and was owned and kept by William Newman. R. L. Hannaman was Knox
township's first lawyer, coming here in 1831. The first court house was
built in 1831, at a cost of $393.43. Our first alms house was built in 1856.
The Old Settlers' association was organized in Knoxville in 1867. The Knox
County Agricultural Board was organized in 1851.
Our first county clerk, John G. Sanburn, served from 1830 to 1837. The First
National Bank has been in existence since 1865.
The first mayor of Knoxville was James Price. Knoxville has long been an
educational center, Ewing Female University was established in 1859, and St.
Mary's school has been in existence since ever since. There are many
interesting stories of people of the early days. Daniel Fuqua came to this
place in 1830 — the year of the big snow, when the snow was three feet deep
on the level and all roads were badly drifted.
Uncle Dick Haney, an old-time Methodist minister, tells of a sight which he
witnessed in the early days, when he went into a cabin and saw there a woman
running a spinning wheel with one foot, rocking a cradle with the other, her
hands meanwhile being engaged, one in churning, the other holding the flax
as it was made into yarn. To some this story seems like a fable, but the
truth of the statement was vouched for by others present, the lady being
none other than the wife of Uncle Daniel Fuqua, who, in a reminiscent way,
related to the old settlers' secretary that he came to Knox county May 2,
1830, landing at Henderson Grove, coming from Kentucky with oxen and horses,
and lived in an old log cabin the first six months. He took possession of a
small clearing of about seven acres and raised a crop of corn. It made about
50 bushels to the acre and it was all that was needed for the family use! He
took a land claim in the fall and built a double log house on the land. In
those days there was no need of fraternal organizations, for as soon as a
newcomer arrived, provisions were prepared and for miles around they
assembled to give what was usually a very home-sick family a hearty welcome
to the new home. At this time there was not a town in Knox county, but
shortly afterwards the house of John Gum was used in which to transact
business.
In 1831 Knoxville was laid out and the court house was established in a log
cabin, the only houses then known. In the fall of 1830 he broke up five
acres of land, sowed wheat and raised 250 bushels. Horses trampled out the
grain and a sheet was the fanning mill. This was the winter of the big snow,
three feet deep on the level. This made traveling almost impossible, but
with plenty of corn and an abundance of wild game, such as deer, squirrels,
wild turkeys and chickens they lived in what would now be considered the
most profligate luxury. The tediousness of life was relieved by going to
mill. There was a good water mill at Rock Island, about 60 miles away,
another on Spoon River, in Fulton county, a third in Stark county and still
another in Warren county. The time spent in these long travels was not
considered lost, for this was their only opportunity to get a glimpse of the
outside world. Human nature, then, as now, ever sought companionship.
The first ripple in the quiet life of those early inhabitants was the
breaking out in 1831 of the Black Hawk War. The Indians were feared and
dreaded, and to protect the families Fort Gum was built near Henderson.
After a short time their fears were allayed and they returned to their
homes. In 1832 block houses were built in different parts of the county and
a company was enlisted. Looms were seen in almost every cabin, and until
sheep could be reared, the clothing was all of flax and cotton. They made a
virtue of necessity and lived within themselves, for money was a scarce
article in 1830. Everything was barter and trade. What little money they had
was used to pay taxes. Each of the few first families brought with them a
few cooking implements, but soon the young people began to mate, and then
the houses that enjoyed two cooking implements was fortunate, indeed, for
then they could divide with the young people. There being no stoves, fire
places were used to cook over, the kettle hanging from a crane and the hoe
cake taking on that delicious toothsome brown while reposing in depths of
hot ashes. "How dear to my heart," said the old gentleman, as he waxed into
a reminiscent mood, "is the memory of my first attempts at founding a home.
I had attained the mature age of 19 years and my dear wife of blessed memory
was a demure maiden of almost 16, the most beautiful woman and the best the
Lord had ever made, whose life of love and constancy continued through 52
short but happy years. With what happy expectation I watched her boil water
for coffee in an old cast iron skillet, which was then used to fry the
venison, which was kept warm on the cover, while the same faithful utensil
did triple duty on baking our bread. Our daughters have a local reputation
as good cooks, it is true, but none of them have been able to furnish me a
feast so delectable and satisfying as was this, the first repast eaten with
thankfulness and joy under vine and fig tree.
Our first furniture was indeed crude, but tired nature's sweet restorer,
balmy sleep, was just as refreshing upon a bed of clapboards, held in
position by poles inserted in holes in the logs of our 14x16 cabin. A
clapboard table was a luxury, the making and using of which was enjoyed and
stools and benches served instead of the present divans and upholstered
rockers.
"There were no churches in those days, but occasional services were enjoyed
at a centrally located cabin, where all seemed to be fervent in the worship
of the Lord, and who shall blame us if, as now the case, these occasions
were often used to form acquaintances which often resulted in happy
alliance? Matches are made in heaven, it is said; I know there were heavenly
matches made in the old log cabins in those days."
Politics in Knoxville were always of the independent kind. While the
Republicans usually have a plurality of about 200 when general elections
were held, in spite of the fact that in the county the Democratic vote only
varied 29 in five years, and the Republican vote only 49, a Democrat has
represented Knox township more terms on the board of supervisors than have
Republicans.
Knoxville has always been considered the center of agricultural industry.
She looks down upon a century of achievement with a pride that is little
short of devotion, and having given to the world such men as Judge Craig, of
the Illinois Supreme court; Hon. James Knox and Hon. J. H. Lewis to the
halls of the nation's congress; Hon. R. W. Miles, Hon. P. H. Sanford, Julius
Manning and Henry J, Runkle to grace the halls of Illinois legislature, she
feels that she has done her full share in furnishing men and names by which
this great commonwealth has taken its high place upon the topmost round,
(Note: Mr. Campbell gives the date of the laying out of Knoxville as 1831,
instead of the earlier date, given in the county histories.)
Extracted 15 Dec 2017 by Norma Hass from Annals of Knox County: Commemorating Centennial of Admission of Illinois as a State of the Union in 1818, published in 1921 by the Centennial Historical Association, Knox County, Illinois, The Board of Supervisors, pages 121-126.
