Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 120

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago; Chapman Brothers, pub
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 1130

USA > Illinois > Knox County > Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois > Part 120

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

After the close of the Revolutionary War and the surrender of Cornwallis with his whole army, Oct. 19, 1781, to the Americans, a treaty of peace was signed between England and the United Colonies, by virtue of which the independence of the latter was recognized, and all the land east of the Missis- sippi and south of Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron and Superior and the Lake of the Woods, which included Illinois, was ceded to the Americans. All this terri- tory, by virtue of the conquest through that renowned soldier, Col. George Rogers Clark, was claimed by Virginia ; in part it was also claimed by New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut, but, having in view the all-paramount object, a union among the States of the confederacy and the establishment of a perma- nent government, the people of these States, in- fluenced by their patriotism, ceded all their rights to this territory, which was called the Northwest Territory, to the Federal Government. Subsequently Congress, in the summer of 1787, passed a general law for the government of the Territories of the United States. This law provided for a Governor, a Secretary, a court of three Judges, Representatives, and a Legislative Council, which was to be ap- pointed by Congress. The Legislature was author- ized to elect by joint ballot a Delegate to Congress. Gen, Arthur St. Clair, a distinguished officer of the Revolutionary Army, was appointed to the gov- ernorship (which was the first to be appointed to the Northwest Territory) and Commander-in-Chief of the Territory. The new government, however, was not destined to remain in peace, for the Indians again commenced hostilities, incited by English gold and also by the hope of recovering their favorite hunting-grounds. St. Clair, being in feeble health and unable to properly command his troops, was dis- astrously defeated by the Indians. To remove the disgrace of this defeat and retrieve the credit of the American arms, the gallant Gen. Wayne was sent

979

KNOX COUNTY.

out, who completely routed the Indians and once more restored peace.

In 1803 a new Territory was formed, called the Territory of Indiana, which embraced the whole Northwest Territory, with the exception of that part from which Ohio was formed, and William H. Har- rison was appointed Governor. This government remained until 1809, when another change was made and Illinois was erected into an independent Territory, with Ninian Edwards as Governor. Peace had been made, and the whole people commenced again their agricultural pursuits on ground which had been occupied by the red men. This condition remained until the second conflict with England, known as the War of 1812. A bold, daring chief, Tecumseh by name, taking advantage of this war between the two countries, incited his people again to battle, and joined the British forces, who again occupied a part of this Territory. This war was carried on chiefly in the Northwest Territory, and Gen. Harrison was one of the chief actors. The conflict was hot and decisive, and the Americans were again victorious. The defeat of the British by Com. Perry, on Lake Erie, and on land at the battle of the Thames by Gen. Harrison and the gallant Col. Johnson (in which battle Black Hawk took part), the killing of Tecumseh and the rout and slaughter of his warriors, terminated this conflict in the Northwest Territory, which was once more a peaceful part of the Republic.

In 1812, under the ordinance of 1787, a Delegate was sent to Congress and a Territorial Government established. In this manner the Territory existed, with Ninian Edwards as Governor, until 1818. The population at the close of the War of 1812 did not exceed 12,000 souls. In 1818 the inhabitants num- bered 50,000. At the beginning of this year the people of the Territory unanimously resolved to enter the Union as a State, and instructed their Delegate, Nathaniel Pope, who was then in Congress, to bring the subject before that body and take such means as were necessary to accomplish this result.

The bill for the admission of Illinois into the Union as a State was passed in April, 1818. An election was held under the provisions of this act, for State officers, and Shadrach Bond was chosen Gov- ernor, and entered upon the discharge of his duties in October of the same year, with the seat of gov- ernment at Kaskaskia. Subsequently Ninian Ed-

wards and Jesse B. Thomas were chosen Senators. In 1822 Edward Coles, an anti-slavery man, was elected to succeed Gov. Bond. In 1826 Gov. Coles' term expired, and Ninian Edwards was elected to succeed him. This brings the history of the State, the principal points of which have only been touched, down to the period when the settlement of Knox County begins, and at this point the former is left, that the history of the latter may be taken up.

Knox County is situated in the Military Tract, and has for its boundary lines Henry County on the north, Stark and Peoria on the east, Fulton on the south and Warren and Mercer on the west. The Military Tract is situated between the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, extending as far north as the northern line of Mercer County. It was so called because it was set aside by the Government for the soldiers who were in the War of 1812, and patented to them in quarter-sections. Very few of these sol- diers placed any value on this land, and a still less number entertained any idea of occupying it. But immigrants came, entered Government lands and " squatted " on " patent " or military lands, improved them and made them valuable. It was seldom that a " patentee " could be found when wanted by the settlers, and many of them believed that the owners would never be known. In a great many instances, after the patented land had been improved and ren- dered valuable, the original patent would be pre- sented by someone, who would evict the occupant, or squatter, and take possession. If he was an hon- est man, the occupant would be paid for his improve- ments ; otherwise, as would often happen, he would get nothing. This condition of affairs invited what were very properly called, in those days, “ land- sharks," who would come into this section of the country and work up cases, ostensibly for the orig- inal patentees, but in reality for themselves.

Among these landsharks was Toliver Craig, who made a business of forging patents and deeds. He carried his knavery on quite extensively, and at one time had 40 forged deeds put on record at Knox- ville in one day. He was arrested in the State of New York in 1854, by H. M. Boggess, of Monmouth, and taken to Cincinnati, where he was lodged in jail. Here he attempted suicide by taking arsenic. He remained in jail about a year, when he was re- leased.

The Legislature of the State, at its session during

980

KNOX COUNTY.

the winter of 1822-23, laid out into counties, together with other unorganized territory, the Military Tract. On the admission of Illinois into the Union, the ter- ritory now embraced by Knox County formed a part of Madison County. Subsequently, by an act of the Legislature, it was placed within the boundaries of Pike, the oldest county within the Military Tract. It then embraced the whole country north and west of the Illinois River. By an act of the Legislature approved Feb. 10, 1826, its present boundaries were defined, and it was attached to Fulton County for judicial and recording purposes.

When the Military Tract was laid off into counties, most of them were named after the military heroes of the country. This county was named after that distinguished General and statesman, the beloved and confidential friend of Washington, Gen. Henry Knox. It is on the divide between the Illinois and the Mississippi Rivers, with the 41st parallel of north latitude running a little north of its center. It is very liberally supplied with timber, and well drained by streams running east and west from the divide. Its soil is deep and fertile and underlaid with coal- beds and good building-stone.

The first settlement made in this county was by Daniel Robertson, in February, 1828, who located first on the northwest quarter of section 15, in Hen- derson Township. He was very soon followed by his brother Alexander, and his brother-in-law, Rich- ard Matthews. During the spring and summer fol- lowing, quite a number of settlers came in, among whom was Maj. Thomas McKee. Those who lo- cated in this neighborhood, or in Henderson Town- ship, were the only settlers who came to the county in 1828, except a man by the name of Palmer, who was noted for his eccentric habits and for his success in bee-hunting. He dwelt for awhile at the deserted Indian village on Spoon River, and then went on westward. Of these pioneers of 1828, only two are now living-Daniel Robertson and Maj. McKee. For a more particular account of these early settlers, the reader is referred to the history of Henderson Township.

The first white child born in the county was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Zephaniah Gum, in January, 1829.

The first couple married were Alex. Osborn and Ann Hendricks, in July, 1829.

The first death in the county was that of Philip Nance, who died Jan. 7, 1829.

The first school taught was by Franklin B. Barber, in 1830, in a log schoolhouse near the grove.

The first sermon preached was by Rev. Jacob Gum, in a log cabin, in 1829; but the first church to organize was the Baptist, and the Universalists came next.

The first mill, or corn-cracker, was put up in 1830, on Henderson Creek.

Daniel Robertson turned the first furrow in the county in 1828, with a rudely-shaped plow, which he brought with him. This plow is still in his possession. It was known as the " barshare " plow. His first crop, which was corn, yielded about 40 bushels to the acre.

Thomas Sheldon, who was one of the 1828 set- tlers, returned with his family to Rock Island, where he died in June, 1829. The pioneers of Knox, hear- ing of his death, sent two of their number to ascer- tain the condition of his family. It was anything but favorable. They concluded to bring the widow and her children, four in number, to Henderson, and started off Thomas McKee, with a wagon and two yoke of oxen, for this purpose. He was at this time but 19, yet he was hardy and brave, and they had confidence that he would do his errand well. On his return to Rock River, as there were no bridges or ferries, he started to ford it, which he accomplished successfully, though a dangerous undertaking with- out a guide. He also crossed Mill Creek safely; but a little this side his wagon got bogged, and in at- tempting to pull out he broke the neckyoke. He was obliged to return to Rock Island for a new yoke, and, returning, reached his wagon about dark. Here the party were obliged to remain all night. A heavy rain fell, and in the morning the water was up to the bed of the wagon. He unloaded and pulled the wagon out. There were some heavy goods, and among them a barrel of meat. It is to-day a won- der to the Major how he ever handled that barrel, as he had no help from the widow or her children. Going on, he again got stalled, and was obliged to unload and reload again. At Edwards River he was bogged again and had to go through the same process. Here there was a steep embankment, and he was obliged to roll the goods up this to the wagon, and by skillful engineering got them in. He came into Rio Township about dusk, and as he found a slough confronting him he concluded to rest for the night. The next day he arrived home, after a jour-

98 1

KNOX COUNTY.

ney of four days. The Major says he became quite well acquainted with those barrels before he arrived at home.

This is a specimen of the many trials which the pioneers had to pass through at this period.

There was but one traveled road in the county, which ran along the western line. This was known as the old " Galena Trail," and was made by the Galena miners in going to and from their homes in the central part of the State to the mines.

In the fall of 1829 a settlement was made in Haw Creek by Mrs. Elizabeth Owens and family, During this year also there was a settlement made in Knox Township by Parry Morris, John Charles and John Montgomery, who located near the present site of Knoxville. Prior to this, in 1828, a settlement was made in the territory now embraced in Cedar Town- ship, by Asel Dorsey and family, Mr. Finch and Rev. Hiram Palmer. This settlement was increased in 1829 by Rev. Abraham D. Swartz and wife. In 1830 Joseph Wallace commenced the improvement of a farm in Orange Township. During this year the pioneers, James Millan, William Darnell and William Parmer, made a settlement in Maquon Township. Michael Fraker put him up a cabin in Lynn Township in 1830 and commenced house- keeping, and was soon found here by others. Rio was not left unoccupied this year, for Joseph Rowe, Reese Jones and Joseph Halliday came in and be- gan their pioneer labors.

The settlers came in so rapidly, and there were such favorable prospects for a steady flow of emi- gration, that in the early part of 1830 the people be- gan to consider the question of the organization of the county. A meeting was called at the store of Samuel White, in Henderson Township, May 15. This store had been used as a tavern. It was a log cabin, about 16 feet square, and contained but one room. Riggs Pennington was chosen chairman of this meeting and John G. Sanburn, secretary. Among those present at this meeting were the two citizens above mentioned, and Philip Hash, Stephen Osborn, Dr. Charles Hansford (the first physician to open practice in the count! ), Henry Bell, Jacob Gum, Nicholas Vailes and John D. Gum. Dr. Hansford, Riggs Pennington and John G. Sanburn were ap- pointed a committee to draft a petition to Hon. Richard M. Young, Judge of the 5th Judicial Dis- trict, praying for the organization of the county. An-

other committee consisted of Messrs. l'ennington, Hash, Hansford and Osborn to present the petition and address the Judge in behalf of the organization. This committee proceeded to Fulton County, where the court was in session, and laid their petition be- fore the Judge, who, believing that the county con- tained 350 inhabitants, the number required by law, and that it was the wish of the people of the county that an organization be had, granted the prayer of the petitioners. An order was also issued by the Court on the moth of June, declaring the county of Knox organized and entitled to the same rights and privileges as other counties of the State. Subse- quently an order was issued by Judge Young for an election to be held on the 3d day of July, 1830, for the purpose of electing three County Commissioners. This order was issued at Galena.

The election was duly held, the judges and Clerks being Jacob Gum, Nicholas Vailes, Stephen Osborn, William McMurtry and Jonathan Reed. - The election resulted in the unanimous choice of Riggs Pennington, Charles Hansford and l'hilip Hash.

On July 7 the Commissioners held their first meeting at the residence of John B. Gum, who was by them chosen Clerk. Mr. Gum's house was a double log cabin, containing two rooms, and was situated on section 32, Henderson Township, and here the first seat of justice of Knox County was located. On the 9th of July the Commissioners held their second meeting. At this meeting John G. Sanburn was appointed Clerk, John B. Gum having declined to serve. The latter, however, was ap- pointed by the Court Treasurer of the county, in which position he qualified himself by taking an oath, and filing a bond of $500. Mr. Gum was really Clerk of the county for two days, yet, inasmuch as he did not discharge any of the functions of this office, Mr. Sanburn is regarded as the first Clerk of the county.

In the organization of this county, townships 12 and 13 north, range 5 east, were included within its boundaries. In 1837, when Stark County was or- ganized, these two townships were taken from this county and attached to that. The town of La Fayette, in Stark, is located in this section, and consequently was originally in Knox County. It was through the influence of Riggs Pennington that these townships were attached to Knox County. They contained a

982

KNOX COUNTY.

beautiful grove, which he thought would not only add to the wealth, but materially to the beauty of this county. Hence his efforts to secure them.

An election was ordered by the Court for county officers to be held Aug. 1, 1830. At this time there was but one election precinct, and the territory was larger by two townships. Jacob Gum, Nicholas Vailes and Thomas Maxwell were appointed Judges of the election. A special term of the County Com- missioners' Court was held July 17. At this session the county was divided into two districts for the election of Justices of the Peace and Constables. The election was held August 7, being the day of the gen- eral election throughout the State. Riggs Penning- ton, Philip Hash and Alexander Frakes were elected County Commissioners. The first term of the Cir- cuit Court was held on Friday, Oct. 1, 1830, at the house of John B Gum. It held only one day.

Having placed the pioneers in the full enjoyment of civil and political government, we will leave this line of history, which will be found in detail in another part of this work, and take up the more gen- eral incidents connected with their history. The set- tlers up to 1833 were obliged to send or go to Rush- ville for their mail, which was a great inconvenience to them. Upon petition to the Postmaster-General by the Commissioners, a post-office was established at Knoxville (then called Henderson), the county seat having been located there in January, 1831. John G. Sanburn was appointed Postmaster. The peace of the early settlers was much disturbed by the Indian troubles and the Black Hawk war, and the settlement was greatly retarded. Many of the peo- ple left the county until the war was over, and some located elsewhere. Forts had been constructed for the protection of the settlers, and whenever anything would occur to create a suspicion of an attack, the people, particularly the women and children, would gather into these forts. The fright and anxiety proved to be unnecessary, as there were no Indian raids in the county.

One of the enemies the early settlers had to fight and to be constantly on their guard against was prairie fires. They sometimes threatened the destruction of the entire community. Sometimes these fires were caused by accident, and often through wanton- ness, or with a view of bewildering the game. The offense became so serious that persons were indicted and tried for it. The best way they had for fighting

the fires was by " burning back." These fires, with their columns of livid flame mounting heavenward, were grand to look at, and, when the settlers were out of immediate danger, they would gaze on them with awe and admiration.

In 1830 the big snowstorm came, which caused a great deal of suffering. Snow began to fall on the night of the 29th of December, and continued for three days. The average depth was four feet, but in places it drifted to the height of 20 feet. It re- mained on the ground until after the Ist of April.

The early settlers carried their produce, which was chiefly wheat and hogs, to Chicago or Peoria. The roads were oftener bad than good, and the journey was long and tedious, taking several days to make the trip. They would take their cooking utensils- frying-pan and coffee-pot, and their provisions, bread and bacon, and camp by the roadside. Prices were never very high, and, if labor and time were counted, they would be largely the losers when they returned home.

Judge R. L. Hannaman, in an early day, thought he would get up a little corner on hogs. He gath- ered up some 1,300 head and drove them to Chicago, employing 16 boys to drive them. The hogs and the boys arrived at the Garden City on the 16th day. The hogs were slaughtered, packed and shipped to New York and Boston. The Judge made in this speculation $5,000 on the debit side. He states that he could have bought any quantity of land there at that time for almost nothing, but he would not take it as a gift.

One of the great events in the early days of Knox County was the arrival of the Galesburg Colony, a part of which came in 1836, and a part in 1837. Their advent created quite a flutter among the set- tlers, and gave the county an impetus forward that was very auspicious. They brought with them energy, brains and money, and went to work with a will that soon made them felt in the county. The party of Hugh Conger and Nehemiah West, who came overland, as they were nearing the site of their colony, on the Ist of June, 1839, stopped for the night near what is now known as Victoria. They were short of provisions, and the family on whom they called had no meal. Corn was ground in a hand-mill, and then " corn-dodgers " were made for supper. The next day they dealt out their scanty supplies to the younger members of the party, and weary and hun-

KNOX COUNTY.

983

gry they proceeded on their journey to Henderson Grove. Here they gathered up what they could from the settlers for supper, and took their first meal in the colony on a door from an old cabin, resting on boxes.

The first national-anniversary celebration was held in Sanburn's Grove, near Knoxville, in 1836. This celebration came very near having everybody in the county at its festivities. Rev. Gardner Bartlett made the opening prayer, and Hon. James Knox de- livered the oration. After the ceremonies were over, the procession was formed, and marching to the tables which were spread beneath the protecting boughs of shade trees, the more enjoyable part of the celebration was begun. The meats were cooked in a pit; the other eatables were brought already prepared by the celebrators. This celebration will be remembered as long as there is anyone living who was present. For enthusiasm and hearty, patriotic enjoyment, it probably will never be equaled in Knox County.

The early settlers invariably located in groves or along the borders of timber. It was many years be- fore anyone had the rashness, or so little judgment, as was then thought, as to make a claim out in the " wild prairie grass." This is not so strange when it is considered that these settlers mostly had been brought up in clearings or lived in the shelter of groves. To live out away from timber was something foreign to their habits, and then again they had no confidence in the productive qualities of this prairie soil.

The cabins were rude structures for habitation, but then they were cheerful and homelike. The large fireplaces would send their radiating heat out, glow- ing on the domestic circle around. This served for heating, cooking and ventilation. There was seldom more than one room; but there were always conven- ient contrivances, and a stranger or traveler was never turned away, though there might be a dozen in the family.

There are some who are rather prone to give the dark side of pioneer life only. While there were many discomforts, and what would now be consid- ered by those accustomed to all the conveniences of modern civilization privations, yet there were many pleasures and much happiness. There were their quilting-bees, corn-huskings, apple-bees, for both sexes, and for the men the log-rollings and house-

raisings ; and no end to the little social amusements. Then there was that grand fraternity of feeling, that bond of human sympathy, unalloyed and unaffected, which overshadowed all.

There was a good deal of excitement in Knox County during the early period of its history, caused by the establishment and operation of the Under- ground Railroad, as it was called. In the settle- ment of the county there were many who did not be- lieve in human bondage, and who were willing to aid in every way possible the oppressed slave in securing his freedom. The murder of Lovejoy, at Alton, in 1837, stimulated this feeling, and largely increased the anti-slavery party in the county. Growing out of this agitation and the formation of the anti-slavery party was the organization of what its operators were pleased to call the Underground Railroad, the object ·of which was to aid the fugitive slave in his escape to the land of freedom.

In this organization there were no particular signs or passwords, but each relied on the honor of the other, and their faith in the just cause that moved them. It was no place for cowards or weak-minded men, and few were connectedwith this transportation. They had the most bitter opposition from the slave- holders and the pro-slavery men, yet they were never daunted and never wearied in their good work. The J northern terminus of this railroad was in Canada; when once reached by the slave, he was free-free from the lash and the manacles of the slave-power, and free from the teeth of the bloodhound. At that end of the road stood Rev. Hiram Willson, ready to receive the fugitive and to provide for him. The Queen had declared in February, 1841 : "That every fugitive from United States slavery should be protected as a British subject the moment his or her foot touched 'the soil of the domain." Arrangements were made to have all supplies or goods shipped to the fugitives admitted free of duty.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 120

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago; Chapman Brothers, pub Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical publishing company Number of Pages: 1130

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago; Chapman Brothers, pub
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 1130