Knox County ILGenWeb

[The township was named Fraker's Grove in an 1850 report.]

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

"Lynn Township was first settled by Michael Fraker, on Section 23, before the Black Hawk war.  At the commencement of the hostilities he went to Henderson for safety, returning when peace was restored.  Mr. Dunball and Peter Hager settled in the Township at a very early day.  Lynn Township is a very fine body of rolling prairie, well watered and timbered.  Its inhabitants are alive and wholesouled, with plenty of energy and ambition.  Any community will prosper with men in it like James Soles, O. M. Gross, the Gibbs', and many more we might mention.  A very fine Town Hall is situated in the center of the Township, near the residence of James Soles.  Our views show the best improvements and speaks well for the enterprise of its industrious inhabitants."

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

"Lynn township has some features peculiar to itself.  For instance, it is without a church, town or postoffice within its limits, which can be said of no other township in the county.  But with all the inconveniences and want of high moral sentiment such a statement would generally imply, we find Lynn favored with postoffices at convenient and accessible points, and her people are not excelled in moral tone by those of any other section in the county.  Indeed their reputation in this direction has justly attained so high a standard that we shall class this one of the peculiar features of the township.  Substantiating this is the highly commendable statement that no person has ever been fined in the township for the violation of law; neither was there ever an indictment found, or suit brought in the Circuit Court against any citizen of Lynn for a criminal offense.  Her people, however, enjoy the elevating influences of the churches in the surrounding towns, some of which are accessible to all parts of the township.  The school buildings and the character of the schools of this township are second to none in Knox county.  The soil of the township is fertile, well drained and supplied with timber, a beautiful grove being in its midst.  On the southern edge of this grove, in the spring of 1830, Michael Fraker located, being the first settler in the northeastern part of the county.  His original cabin, and the oldest house now standing in the county, erected in 1830, is occupied by R. Harrison.  This same log house, when owned by Alden Bennett, was about twelve years ago adorned with blinds by E. Child, of Oneida, and to-day is one of the substantial farm houses of Lynn township.  It was erected by Mr. Fraker on section 23, but at present stands on the northeast corner of section 16.

Mr. Fraker was a regular pioneer genius, always ready to adapt himself to any unfavorable surroundings.  His genius was displayed, shortly after his arrival, in constructing a hand mill to grind his neighbors' and his own grain.  The burrs were about two feet in diameter, and were made out of stone called hard-head.  Such stones are occasionally found singly scattered over the country.  This mill proved a blessing, for when the water mills through that part of the country failed, the neighbors went to the Fraker mill, which stood in the living room of the family.  Mr. Edward Sellon tells us that many are the times that he has gone there to grind corn and buckwheat for food for his family.  Two person could grind one-half a bushel of wheat on this mill in an hour, or one bushel of corn and buckwheat in the same time.  William Dunbar purchased the original burrs, as he kept a public house requiring a large amount of flour and meal.  Sometimes 25 to 30 men, who were looking for land, would be there over night.  Washington Dunbar was the principal miller.  Being unable to bolt the flour or meal, Mrs. Dunbar used sieves of two grades before preparing to cook either.  Before purchasing the old Fraker mill, however, they made a mortar mill by boring, chopping and burning into the top of a burr-oak stump which stood some 20 rods from their house.  This by use became as hard and smooth as stone.  A spring pole with pestle attached to break the grain was even a much harder and slower process that the hand mill afforded; besides, it was not nearly as good.

In 1830, when the county was organized through the interposition and influence of Riggs Pennington, the two townships adjoining Lynn and Victoria township in Stark county were included within the boundaries of this county.  La Fayette was, during its early history, in Knox county.  At the session of the Legislature of 1836-37, an act "for the formation of the county of Coffee" was passed and approved.  This new county was to comprise nine townships, six of which were to be taken from Putnam, one from Henry, and two from Knox.  The two townships taken from this county were to be the two referred to above, and which were subsequently taken.  The formation of Coffee county was, however, defeated by the voters of Knox county.  A more vigorous attempt to form Coffee county was made in 1838, but proved futile.  In 1839, after great difficulty and a close contest, Stark county was organized and townships 12 and 13 north, 5 east, were take from Knox and added to, or aided in forming Stark county.

The first couple of Lynn township to be united in marriage were William Hitchcock and Julia Fraker.  They were married in Knoxville.  The second marriage, or the first performed marriage ceremony in the settlement, was that of Peter Miner and Matilda Smith, by Esquire Fitch.  At the appointed time the parties arrived at the cabin of the 'Squire, also some young companions of the groom to witness the ceremony.  The happy pair placed themselves in position, when 'Squire Fitch in a dignified manner began the ceremony.  When about half through, Mr. Miner suddenly interrupted him by exclaiming, "Hold on, 'Squire," at the same time drawing a paper from his pocket and handing it to him, saying, with a broad grin on his countenance, "I reckon, 'Squire, you would like to see this 'ere paper before you go any further," handing him their license.  Mr. Fitch, evidently embarrassed, hastily exclaimed, "Why, yes! yes!" and commenced reading the document aloud.  He commenced at the beginning again to tie the knot, when, just as the happy pair were pronounced man and wife, down came one of the 'Squire's large turkey gobblers through the old stick chimney into the room!  The newly made benedict seized the turkey, claiming it a gift sent from above especially for the occasion.  This couple in after years proved to be among the most worthy and respectable of the community.

In 1851 the streams of Lynn were higher than were ever known before or since.  Especially was this so of Walnut creek.  At the Gibbs saw-mill, located on this creek, the water rose to the eaves of the building, sweeping away lumber, logs and fences, although the mill and dam withstood the fury of the current.  Every seventh year, for a long period, was noted as being a wet season.  Especially were the years 1844, 1851 and 1858 noticeable for this.  During the winter of 1855-6 apple and other fruit trees, together with the osage, were greatly injured by the sever cold weather.  The osage was killed down to within a few inches of the ground.

There is a good Town Hall in the center of the township, open and free for all moral public gatherings.  Since 1855 the township has given a Republic majority.

When the last draft during the rebellion was ordered, Lynn had only 90 men subject to military service, but furnished its quota of 21 men."

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

Meeting was held for the organization of Lynn Township, April 5, 1853. William A. Reed was chosen Temporary Moderator, and J. S. Smith, Temporary Secretary. Upon ballot A. Gross was elected Moderator, and J. S. Smith, Town Clerk, for one year. There were 39 votes cast, resulting in the election of Jonathan Hodgson for Supervisor; William A. Reed, Assessor; A. Gross, Collector; S. G. Albro, John Lafferty and H. Austin Grant, Commissioners of Highways; Jonathan Hodgson and Jonathan Gibbs, Justices of the Peace; Erastus Smith, Overseer of the Poor; John Snyder, Constable.

Michael Fraker was the first settler in this township and the first in the northeastern part of the county, locating in the spring of 1830 on the southern edge of what has since been widely known as Fraker's Grove, on section 23. Here he erected his log cabin, and commenced the improvement of his home. It must have been a very substantial and well-built house, for it is standing and in use. The cabin was afterward owned by Alden Bennett, and was moved to the northeast corner of section 16. He was subsequently joined by Edward Sellon and William and Washington Dunbar, with their families. Mr. Fracker was an inventive genius, and splendidly adapted to pioneer life. His ready hand and intelligent mind were displayed, not long after his removal to this far Western home, in the construction of a hand-mill to grind corn. His burrs were made out of hard-heads, as they are generally called, which he had found after a diligent search about the country, and they were about two feet in diameter. This mill was placed in one part of the kitchen, and could be operated by two men quite easily. These would grind out from a half to one bushel of grain in an hour. This mill was a real blessing to the settlement, and Michael Fraker was many times gratefully thought of for the benefits this mill conferred upon the pioneers of that day. In the organization of the county in 1830, the two townships adjoining Lynn and Victoria in Stark County were included within the boundaries of Knox.

The Legislature of 1836-37 passed an act "for the formation of the county of Coffee." This was to comprise nine townships, six of which were to be taken from Putnam, one from Henry and two from Knox. Those taken form this county were to be Lynn and Victoria. The formation of Coffee County was afterward defeated by the voters of Knox County, and these townships were retained by Knox.

The first couple to lead off in the matrimonial venture were William Hitchcock and Julia Frakes, who were married at Knoxville. Their commendable example was soon followed by those believing in the truth, "It is not good for man to be alone." Among these were Peter Miner and Matilda Smith. They were content to be married in the settlement, and the services were performed by Squire Fitch. These were the first of the kind in the township, and were conducted at the Squire's humble cabin

Rather a comical incident - which was also considered a good omen - occurred while this couple were being married. Directly as the happy pair was pronounced "man and wife," a large fat turkey gobbler, belonging to the Squire, attracted, no doubt, by the unusual proceedings, gaining a place on the roof, came with wild fluttering down the large chimney, landing at the bride's feet. The bridegroom seized it, and swinging it over the heads of the guests, claimed it as a gift sent from above to bless the occasion.

William Dunbar opened a "public house," near the "Grove," not long after the settlement. It was largely patronized by people coming in from an easterly direction, looking up land and favorable locations to build homes for themselves. In 1846 Mr. Barlow opened up his tavern at Fraker's Grove, on the southeast side. It became popular as a hostelry and was called the "Travelers' Home." It was all its name indicated, an abiding place to "the stranger within the gates." The weary traveler found it a safe retreat. Mr. Barlow remained proprietor of this neat little inn till 1892.

Lynn has some features peculiar to itself. There are no post-offices, villages or churches here. An attempt was made as early as 1850 to start a town, and a plat was made by Robert Rounds, which he called Centerville. It was located on section 33, on the line between Lynn and Victoria Townships. Centerville, however, did not seem to its people to possess centralizing force or ability to become a city, and its name was changed to Millroy, deriving this title from a mill that was established here. Though this mill ground slow, it did not grind to much purpose, at least so far as the building up of a city or town was concerned, and all efforts in this direction proved a failure. Lynn, however, has good school buildings and schools; also a good town hall, which is located on section 15. Notwithstanding the township has no churches within its borders, the people have a high moral and religious standing, ranking well with any township in the county, and for obedience to the law, as a people, they have not their equal. The people are noted also for their patriotism, so much so, that, when the last draft was ordered, during the Rebellion, there were only 90 men subject to military duty, and 21 of these went into the service voluntarily.

The nature of the land is high, rolling prairie; fertile, liberally supplied with timber, and well watered. It is a fine farming region, and many of the farms have elegant dwellings and handsome and convenient out-buildings. Great attention has been given to the roads, the result of which is that they are equal to any in the county. The Peoria & Rock Island Railroad cuts across the northeast corner of the township, and the C. B. & Q. R.R. the northwest corner. The people do their trading and marketing mostly at Galva, Victoria and Altona; and to these places they go to attend religious service occasionally. The population in 1880, according to the census taken at that time, was 964. This is about the estimate at present.

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