SPARTA TOWNSHIP

Sketch from the 1870 Atlas Map of Knox County, Illinois
of S. L. Wilmot's farm in Section 6

(Extracted from the History of Knox County, Illinois by Albert Perry, Vol. I, pgs 431-432,
submitted by Janine Crandell)

This township was organized under the township organization law, April 5th, 1853. A full line of town officers were nominated and elected. T. H. Taylor was the first supervisor; Asaph Delong, clerk; Stephen Smith, assessor; L. W. Roads, collector; D. Reed, Stephen Russell and Peter Davis, highway commissioners; Marvin Baker, Hugh Ferguson, justices of the peace; Marshall P. Delong, constable. Mr. William Robson, whose widow resides just north of the village of Wataga, was supervisor of the township between twenty and thirty years prior to his death.

The watershed, dividing the water courses that flow into the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, extends northeast and southwest through Sparta Township. In fact, it will generally be found that the C. B. and Q. railroad right of way takes the general course of this watershed from its entrance into Knox County to Galesburg, and then south to St. Augustine, varying, of course, in places from that line.

There was formerly as fine a vein of coal found in Sparta Township as almost in any locality in this state. These mines still produce coal but not in such quantities as heretofore. This industry was under the former management of J. M. Holyoke, R. M. Campbell, and Peter Dolan. The fourth vein was especially sought. It was quite large, and at one time as many as fifty carloads were shipped from Wataga.

The roads of the Township have always been kept in good condition.

The schools and churches are flourishing and reference to these institutions will be found under their respective denominational headings and articles found in this volume.

Wataga

This village was platted in 1854, by J. M. Holyoke, Silas Willard and Clark M. Greer. It was incorporated in 1863, the first election was held in September, 1863. It was re-incorporated under the general law, in 1874, with Section 16 as its territory. J. M. Holyoke, was the first resident, the first postmaster and the first storekeeper. George F. and David P. Niles, extensive farmers and stock raisers, had large interest in and around Wataga. George F. Niles died some years ago, at Oak Park, Illinois, while his brother, David P., still resides on a farm two miles and a half to the southwest of the village. They, at one time, owned a flouring mill that was located in Wataga. It has since been owned by William Williamson and M. O. Williamson who introduced fine modern machinery. It is still in operation and does good work.

The churches of the village of Wataga will be spoken of in connection with their denominational headings found elsewhere in this volume.

Wataga has a Masonic lodge in flourishing condition. It also has a lodge of the Order of the Eastern Star and Odd Fellows Lodge; a Rebekah launch and a camp of Modern Woodmen.

W. S. Wood was one of the very early store keepers of the village of Wataga. In 1859 he bought a general merchandise store, which means about everything that is wanted in a country store, dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, artwork, paints and oils, farm implements, etc., and in those days the general store keeper also had to receive general produce of the farm in pay for his goods.

Mr. Wood dealt largely in corn and occasionally sent his corn to Chicago, loaded it into barges or boats and shipped it to eastern markets. Corn was always taken in exchange for goods. Gold and silver soon disappeared after the war of the Rebellion began and paper money was at a fearful discount. In order to facilitate trade and the exchange of commodities, the responsible merchants put out what was called "shin plasters" for fractional currency. This script was issued in denominations of five, ten, twenty-five and fifty cent pieces, the man who issued them agreeing to redeem when presented in sums specified on the face of the script, usually one dollar. It did not constitute lawful money, but it served a very great convenience at the time and was issued in the best of good faith. Mr. Wood issued a large quantity of this money and it is understood that he redeemed every cent that was presented for redemption.