Knox County ILGenWeb

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

"James Milan settled on Sec. 25, in 1830.  Wm. Darnell settled in the Township soon after, Rebecca Thurman was the first birth and also the first death in the Township.  First Justice was Mark Thurman, Sec. 35, 1833.  First school house was built 1834, on Sec. 24.  Benjamin Brock was first teacher.  First marriage was Elisha Thruman to Anna Hall, who went to Fulton County to have the ceremony performed, but they resided in Maquon Township as they do at the present time.  Maquon is the only Township in the county that has no Church building, school houses being the only places of worship in the Township, except the fine Camping grounds, where every year an immense number congregate from all parts of the county and hold Camp meeting.  Race course adjoins Maquon city where some of the best races in the west occur every summer."

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

"When the red men roamed unmolested over this beautiful county their principal village was in this township, on Spoon river.  As they were driven westward by the advance of civilization, a Mr. Palmer, a bee-hunter, came to the township and stopped at their vacated village.  He arrived in 1828, but made no improvement in the way of fencing, or preparing a permanent home; and as it was not his intention to remain, he could not be termed a settler.  He stayed here but a short time, when he removed further west.  Interesting remains of this Indian village and of their burying ground are found.  It will be noticed that their trails, as marked on the map in this work, lead from near the town of Maquon.

James Millan settled on section 25 in 1830.  Among other early settlers were Wm. Darnell, Wm. Parmer and Mark and Thomas Thurman.  The first Justice of the Peace was Mark Thurman.  The first death was that of a little daughter of Mark Thurman, named Rebecca, who was also the first child born in the township.  The first marriage was that of Elisha Thurman to Miss Anna Hall.  Although they went to Fulton county to have the ceremony performed, yet they resided in the township at the time.  The first school-house was erected on section 34 in 1834.  The first school was taught by Benjamin Brooks.  In the northern part of the township, on section 4, is situated the town of Maquon.  Spoon river passes diagonally across the township in a southwestern direction.  The township contains a good proportion of prairie and timber lands."

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

Maquon Township was organized April 5, 1853. James M. Foster was elected Supervisor; Nathan Barbero, Assessor: J. L. Lowman, Collector. It is watered by Spoon River, which enters the township on section 2, and courses southwesterly, going out on section 19. Other little streams run through the township, emptying into this river, which affords good facilities for drainage and water. The land is mostly rolling prairie, yet there are some fine bodies of timber. James Millan was the first actual settler, locating on section 25, in 1830, and improving a farm. Among those who joined him soon after were Mark and Thomas Thurman, William Darnell and William Palmer.

The territory now embraced by this township was a beautiful country and attracted the Indians, who had at an early day one of their principal villages here, which was located on the banks of the Spoon River. Soon after the Indians left their village, retreating before the advancement of civilization, a noted bee-hunter by the name of Palmer, came to the village and tarried awhile; this was in 1828. He remained but a short time, when he proceeded farther Westward. Many interesting relics were found at the Indian village by the early settlers.

The first couple married from this township were Elisha Thurman and Anna Bell, the ceremony being performed in Fulton County. The first death was that of an infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Thurman. Born in the settlement, this delicate pioneer infant was too frail a flower to bear the rude blasts of untoward circumstance, of privation and adversity, and drooped and faded. It became the first gift to heaven from this township and was happy, while those left to mourn gave with dutiful hand and heart to "Him who carries the lambs in His bosom."

Squire Mark Thurman was the first man in the township to hold the scales of justice. Benjamin Brooks taught the first school, in 1834, in a school-house on section 34.

After the Indian troubles were over Maquon settled quite rapidly, and became one of the prosperous townships of the county. It has a very thriving little village located on the northern line, bearing its own name, where the people mostly do their trading. The advantages of ready transportation were given the people by the completion of the Peoria Railroad in the early part of 1854.

Maquon is a good township, and within its territory are some good farms and fine buildings. It is good stock country, and in raising hogs it ranks third in the county. Population in 1880 was 1,448. The County Superintendent's report for the year 1885 furnishes the following items regarding schools:

"There were eight school districts, one graded and seven ungraded schools. The school property was valued at $12,000, with eight frame school-houses. Of persons under 21 years of age there were 666, of whom 458 were of school age, 411 being enrolled. The highest wages paid male teachers were $75, the lowest $33. The highest wages paid female teachers were $45, and the lowest $30. The tax levy was $4,500."

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