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Knox County ILGenWeb |
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"Henderson was laid out, June 11, 1835, by Parnack Owens, for Calvin Glass, its proprietor. The first settlement of Knox County was made in and around Henderson, a great many of the surviving pioneers of the County residing there still. Although Henderson has not grown for years past, yet it has a good trade." From the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago. [Submitted by Fay Kummer.] Henderson was laid out June 11, 1835, by Parnach Owen, for Calvin Glass, and is located on section 14, Henderson Township. At a very early day there were great expectations concerning Henderson. But the growth of a town is not always within the control of individuals interested in it. It was so in this instance. At one time Henderson had five stores, two shoe shops and three or four black-smith shops. The first store opened was by Gardner & Chapin. A grist-mill was put up here by one of the Osborns, in 1829. The burrs were brought here by Jacob Gum. The mill was run by hand at first. A saw-mill started here in 1830. An enterprising man, who believed that a "little wine was good for the stomach's sake," put up a distillery here. It was burned and rebuilt, burned again, but not rebuilt again. Evidently there were some people here who did not believe in the above quotation. Henderson was incorporated in 1838. An election was held March 7, to vote on incorporation, which resulted in 28 votes being cast for the measure and none against it. The village records have been destroyed and the village officials elected cannot be given. The village organization, as well as the village, is still kept up - for what reason, it is difficult to determine. Henderson Township has to help pay the village expenses. There is some good farming land that might be used to good purpose lying idle and unproductive here. Within the corporate limits it is estimated that there are now about 150 persons. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH The Methodist Episcopal Church at this place was organized in 1837, and consisted of about a dozen members, among them Samuel Matbena, Sarah Matbena, Anson Rowe, Lorana Rowe, Ruth Burner, Susan Burner, Rebecca Pippin, Plina Morse and Catherine Norris. The following constitute the list of pastors who have officiated here, so far as their names could be secured, and the term of service of each one: Rev. Mr. Waters, 1841; N. S. Plummer, 1842-43; Samuel Burr, 1844; U. J. Giddings, 1845; R.N. Morse, 1846; H. Hadley, 1847-78; no record of the two years following; Wooliscroft, 1852-53; Watson Bell and W. N. McKaig, 1854; J. B. Quimby, 1855; L.P. Crouch, 1856-67; J.D. Taylor, 1858-59; F. R. Boggess, 1860; H. Presson, 1861; A. K. Tullis, 1862-64; T. Watson, 1865; J. B. Smith, 1866; Wm. Haney, 1867; J. Luccock, 1868-69; D. Pershin, 1870; J. M. Murphy, 1871-72; N. T. Allen, 1873; H. Brink, 1874-75; D. Ayers, 1876; A. Kellar, 1877; N. G. Clark, 1878-80; H. . Humes, 1881-83; J. Rugh, 1884-85; and N. T. Allen, present pastor. The first meetings were held at private houses or in the school-house. In the year 1849 or 1850, a church building was completed, which was the joint property of the Methodists and Baptists. The United Brethren now worship in this building. The beautiful edifice in which the Methodists now worship was built and dedicated in 1874. The present membership is 40. David Henderson, Miss Annie Rowe and Miss Ettie Riley constitute the Board of Stewards. The Sunday-school numbers about 50. |