"Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole Earth". No more beautiful or appropriate site could well be selected than that upon which is built this historic town. Parnach Owen, by order of the County Commissioners Court laid out the town on Section 28, in Knox Township, in 1831. Captain John Charles, Parry Morris, John Montgomery, Dr. Charles Hansford, John G. Sanborn, the original founders of the city were certainly men of rare, good judgment, selecting a site which could not be well improved. Located between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers on the east and west and Court Creek and Haw Creek on the north and south, gives perfect drainage, freedom from disastrous wind storms, and an altogether desirable location for a city of homes, healthful and pleasing.

On the second day of April, 1836, the clerk of the County Commissioners Court laid before the court a certificate of the president and clerk of the incorporation of the town of Knoxville in regard to said incorporation which reads as follows:

At an election of incorporation held in Knoxville on the 5th day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, the following is the state of the polls: one vote against incorporation; twenty-four for corporation.
                                                H. J. Runkle, Clerk.
                                                Samuel Slocumb, President.

Also a certificate of the election of trustees of the said town of Knoxville, as follows, to-wit:

At an election of trustees held in the town of Knoxville on the 11th day of March, 1836, the following named persons received the number of votes opposite their names:

H. W. Higgins has sixteen votes.
J. G. Sanborn has eleven votes.
Sam'l Lyter has thirteen votes.
B. Mothershead has fifteen votes.
Chas. Hansford has sixteen votes.
John Eads has seven votes.
Wm. Taber has one vote.
G. Burkingham has four votes.

Consequently, the five first named persons are elected as trustees of Knoxville.

The early history of the town is of more than usual interest. Dr. Hansford, who came to Knoxville and 1832, was the county's first physician, and his daughter, Grace, was our first girl baby. Elijah T. Eads was the first boy born in the city, and John Moore Bartlett was the first boy born in the township. Captain John Charles bought Parnach Owens' farm on the east side of the city and these broad acres, numbering nearly two thousand are still in possession of the Charles family. Harvey Montgomery owns nearly a thousand acres which were originally settled on by his father, John Montgomery. Mr. Montgomery is the oldest living child born in Knox County. This town began at once to make history. John G. Sanborn came in 1832, started a store, and during his whole life, was a live, honorable citizen. He was gathered to his fathers at a ripe old age on the day Abraham Lincoln died. He was Knoxville's first postmaster, was the first clerk of the Circuit Court, the County Court, and the County Commissioners Court. The Messrs. Henry, Eldred and Cornelius Runkle, who came in the early thirties, were a blessing to the land of their adoption, being very closely identified with the history and development of the town, from its organization, the good they did it cannot be forgotten as long as time lasts. Henry, among other enterprises, owned the first grist mill in the county. Eldred, who was identified with Henry in various enterprises for twenty years, continued the business until his death in 1865. Cornelius was for a long series of years a banker, being the first president of the Farmers National Bank. He died in 1908, full of years and honors, and greatly mourned by all.

Rev. Jacob Gum was our first minister, services being held in his own home, a two-roomed log cabin, in 1839. His grandson, Jacob D. Gum, was the first pupil enrolled in the first school taught in the township.

Daniel Fuqua, who came here in 1834 helped greatly in the work of establishing homes in this county. His children and grandchildren numbered 125 when he was gathered to his fathers in 1909. Judge Robert L. Hannaman came to Knoxville in 1836. For half a century he was a blessing to the community. Hon. James Knox, previous to his election as congressman from this district was one of our most enterprising citizens, both as a businessman and officials. His benefactions to St. Mary's School and St. Alban's Academy have been very large. His contribution of a splendid town clock and bell which are placed in the cupola of the public school has always been greatly appreciated. He also contributed a fund of $1,000 each for the use of the Agricultural Board and for the keeping up of the cemetery grounds.

Hon. George A. Charles, who was for seventeen years a representative of Knox township on the Board of Supervisors of Knox township, helped largely in making this a desirable locality for those to live who followed.

Hon. John H. Lewis, who began life here as a young man, has always encouraged by liberal contributions and sound advice everything which would add to the welfare of our city and its people.

Rev. Dr. Leffingwell, rector of St. Mary's School, has done probably as much as any other citizen to sustain and promote everything which was for the betterment of the city.

These are only a few of the people who helped to found and promote the interests of Knoxville. Every householder and home-owner takes special pride in making it what it is so often called "Knoxville the Beautiful".

Knoxville is well known as a city of churches and schools. Her churches, five in number -- Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, Christian, Swedish Lutheran, St. Marys and St. Johns, both interior and exterior, are models of church architecture, and ample for every requirement. There are doubtless few cities of 2,000 inhabitants anywhere which excelled Knoxville in the number or value of its churches. Of its schools, an extended notice is given elsewhere. St. Mary's, in its convenience, accessibility, healthful location, and all the accoutrements which make a perfect educational institution, where education ripens into true culture and broad character, is not anywhere excelled.

St. Alban's School for boys is making a name and fame for itself in the splendid education its pupils receive -- a school where all of the requisites of a first-class educational institution are apparent -- a healthful location, modern equipment, experienced teachers, and a course of study which eminently fits a boy for a life of business or advance study.

The Knoxville public schools have ample grounds, splendid buildings, modern conveniences for steady and a corps of teachers not excelled anywhere. The cost of buildings and equipment was about $50,000.

Knoxville latest acquisition is her Old Ladies' Home, founded by Mrs. William Jones. It occupies a block in the east part of the city, and is just being completed at a cost of $100,000. It is built of vitrified brick with cement trimmings, and every modern convenience is being furnished. While the four stories include one hundred rooms, arrangements have been made for the accommodation of forty people. The chapel, dining room, reception parlors, rest and hospital rooms are all models of duty, taste and convenience. It will be ready for occupancy in the fall of 1912.

This town is known far and wide for having within its borders one of the finest and best conducted alms houses in the country. Additions and improvements have been made from time to time, until the present evaluation of the farm and buildings is about $150,000. While always under the care of the Board of Supervisors and the committee, Knox County has always been fortunate in the selection of its superintendents, none of whom have been more capable than the present appointee, who has managed at the institution for the past twelve years with signal success.

Any contributions, corrections, or suggestions would be deeply appreciated!