Knox County ILGenWeb

[The township was named Worchester in an 1850 report.]

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

"The first settler in Victoria Township, was Edward Brown, on Sec. 30, and John Essex, in 1835.  G. F. Reynolds built the first house on the prairie, in 1836, on Sec. 7, where he still resides.  First birth was Sarah Robinson, daughter to Moody Robinson, Nov. 16, 1836, on Sec. 20.  First death was that of Mrs. Frazier, in 1837, on Sec. 20.  First marriage was Peter Sanberger to Phebe Wilber, in 1838, on Sec. 29.  Rev. Z. Hall, and Rev. Chas. Bostwic, each preached in the Township, Nov. 1836, which were the first sermons.  First Justice of the Peace was Passons Aldredge in 1837, on Sec. 20.  First Constable was Henry Surtliff, in 1837, on Sec. 19.  First school house was, Salem school house, built on Sec. 21, in 1837.  First Congregational Church was built on Sec. 18, in 1857.  Victoria is a beautiful Township, with many natural  advantages, and a fine class of citizens."

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

"Victoria township lies in the northeast part of Knox county, and was named in honor of Queen Victoria.  It is bounded on the east by Stark county, south by Truro township, on the west by Copley township, and on the north by Lynn township.  It is well interspersed with timber and prairie, rock is found in large quantities good for building purposes, and coal is abundant.  The whole township is underlaid with coal, yet the land is good and rich, producing abundant crops.  In her mineral resources she has a mine which when worked will produce abundant remuneration to the laborer.

The first settlement made in this township was in 1835, by Edward Brown, John Essex and Mr. Frazier.  They were soon followed by John Smith, Wm. Overlander, Moses Robinson, Moody Robinson, Archibald Robinson, Charles Bostic, John Arnold, Passons Aldrige, H. Shurtliff, and Conrad Smith, who settled on section 30 in 1838.  He died about ten years ago leaving a large family to mourn his loss.  This family consisted of 8 boys and 5 girls.  Some 15 to 20 years ago these children were scattered into the following States and Territories: Illinois, California, Oregon, Nevada, Washington and Utah.  They have all, however, gathered back into Knox county save two, one of whom lives just over the line in Stark county, the other in the edge of Peoria county.  So near together are they living that all of them can be reached in one day by one person.  It is seldom that a large family so widely scattered afterward settle down in the same neighborhood.

Sarah, daughter of Moody Robinson, born November 16, 1836, was the first white child born in the township.  She is now the wife of Manford Mosier.  Mrs. Frazier died in 1837, being the first death in the township.  The first marriage was Peter Sornberger to Miss Phebe Wilbur, in 1838.  She is now living with her son, Briggs Sornberger, in the bounds of the township.  G. F. Reynolds built the first house on the prairie in 1837, near the present site of Victoria; both he and his aged companion are still living.  Passons Aldrige was the first Justice of the Peace, he being elected in 1837.  Charles Bostic, a Methodist local preacher, preached the first sermon in the house of Moses Robinson in 1836.  Salem school-house was the first seat of learning; it was about one mile northwest of the present site, and was built in 1837.  G. F. Reynolds, E. Smith, S. Locke, Rev. J. J. Hedstrom, Isaiah Berry, Peter Van Buren, Alexander, Peter and Anson Sornberger, M. C. Hubbell, Edward Boyer, the Shurtliffs, Smiths and Olmsteds, with others, were among the early settlers.

The town was first organized under the township organization law, April 5, 1853, when J. L. Jarnagan was elected Supervisor; Moses Robinson and John P. Smith, Justices of the Peace; C. A. Shurtliff and Seneca Mosier, Constables; C. A. Shurtliff, Collector; B. Youngs, Assessor; J. F. Hubbell, Clerk; J. W. Mosier, Peter Van Buren and A. B. Coddling, Commissioners of Highways.

The first church was built in the village in 1851; it was the Congregational, with S. G. Wright as its pastor.  The next church was the Swede Methodist Episcopal, which was built in 1854.  This church also has a branch society six miles southeast , yet in the township, that is served by the same minister that preaches in the village.  The next church in Victoria was the Methodist Episcopal, which was organized about 1841.  Besides these there is now a Free Methodist church, six miles southeast of the village, in Victoria township.  The Mormons once had an organization in the south part of the township, with some 18 members.  This church is scattered; yet there are quite a number that hold to the faith, but have no church organization, having removed their membership elsewhere.  The Second Adventists have had an organization in this township, but they have principally moved away."

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

"Victoria is in the eastern tier of townships and was organized as a township 5 April 1835. George F. Reynolds was chosen Moderator of the meeting and M.D. Minard, Clerk. The 65 votes that were cast resulted in the election of the following named citizens to be township officers: J. L. Jarnagine, Supervisor; Charles A. Shurtliff, Collector; John T. Smith and Moses Robinson, Justices of the Peace; A. B. Codding, Peter Van Buren and J. W. Mosher, Commissioners of Highways; Charles A. Shurtliff and Seneca Musher, Constables; Alex Sornborger, Overseer of the Poor.

The first settlers in this township were John Essex, Edward Brown and Mr. Frazier, in 1835 with their families. In the spring of 1836, the Robinsons came in, locating on section 21. They consisted of three brothers, Moody, Moses and Archibald and their families. Following them were Passon Aldridge and wife, the latter a sister of the Robinsons, G. F. Reynolds came up from Tazewell county in the spring of 1836, made a claim and then went back, returning in the spring of 1837 and settled down on section 3 with wife and four children. He was born in New Hampshire in 1799. Here he married Abigail Locke, in 1825 who died many years ago. Mr. Reynolds is still living in Victoria village and for a man of his age is pretty hale and hearty. During his long term of life, he has been an active and leading man and has held many important township positions. Moody Robinson and his wife lived and died on the old homestead, the former 10 March 1881 and the later in November 1869. They reared nine children, all of whom are living. Moses Robinson is still living, but his wife is dead.

With Mr. Reynolds came H. Shurtliff and wife and Issiah Berry and family. Passon Aldridge and wife died in the township. Silas Locke came in 1837 and made a claim just north of the Robinsons. He had no family at the time but subsequently married, he has been dead many years.

In 1838 several additions were made to this settlement, among whom were Ruter Smith and family from New York, John Arnold, Peter Sronborger and Conrad Smith. Ruter Smith located on section 6. They had four children when they came - Arthur A, who has for many years been Circuit Judge of the 10th Judicial district; Oliver; Jane, who married Mr. Becker and Sarah who married Dr. Nance. Several children were born to them after they settled in this township. They were a fine family and Mrs. Smith is especially held in affectionate remembrance. Mr. Smith died at an early day near Monmouth while away on business. G. F. Reynolds had four children - three boys and a girl, all of whom are living but one, John W. Charles lives in Iowa; Julia Ann married Thomas Hammond and is living in the township; George H. is married and lives in the village of Victoria. Conrad Smith located on section 30. He raised a family of 13 children-8 boys and 5 girls. The children became widely separated, moving to different parts of the country. Subsequently they all returned to Knox county but two who settled in Sauk and Peoria Counties.

Sarah, daughter of Moody and Mary (Kevett) Robinson was the first child born in Victoria.  This important event occurred on section 21 16 November 1836. Miss Sarah married M. Mosher 19 December 1833. She and her husband are now living in the village of Victoria. One child was born to them which departed this life before five summers had passed over her young head.

The first marriage in the township was between Peter Sornborger and Pheobe Wilbur in the latter part of 1838. The first death was that of Mrs. Frazier who died in 1837. Henry Shurtliff taught the first school in 1838 about two miles east of the present town of Victoria, in a log cabin.

George F. Reynolds was the first postmaster, in 1838, receiving his appointment from Amos Kendall, who was then Postmaster-general. Mr. Reynolds also built the first hotel for the accommodation of the early travelers. It was a large frame building. He hauled his lumber in from Chicago to which place he took his wheat and sold it for 50 cents a bushel. The hotel was built near the present site of Victoria. Passon Aldridge had the honor to be the first man to dispense justice in the township. To this position he was elevated by his fellow-citizens as early as 1837 and it is remembered that they never regretted this action.

Reverend Charles Bostic was the first to administer spiritual consolation to this pioneer settlement, in 1836. The meeting was held at the residence of Moses Robinson.

Victoria is one of the few townships in the county that has no railroad. It has, however, a thriving town of its own name, where the people do their marketing and trading. The southwestern portion is somewhat broken and is also liberally timbered. The balance of the township is beautiful rolling prairie with a very fertile soil. In this township are some of the finest farms in the county which are ornamented with handsome dwellings and shady groves. Its population in 1880 was 1,252 and it is estimated that there has been a slight gain since that time.

There are nine school districts in this township, one graded and eight ungraded schools, with nine frame school-houses. The school property is valued at $4,800."