TRURO TOWNSHIP

(Extracted from the History of Knox County, Illinois by Albert Perry, Vol. I, pgs 438-439,
submitted by Janine Crandell)

This township is known as one of the two roughest townships in the county. This refers, of course, to the surface. Spoon River enters it on Section 12, about two miles from the northeast corner of the township, and flows southwesterly leaving it on section 31, and it takes a course of about fifteen or sixteen miles. The river has many tributaries and all of them cut the surface into ridges and valleys, and, in many places, have made a very picturesque line of scenery. The timber has been gradually disappearing and the land converted into pastures which have proved to be a great source of profit. There is a large body of good coal under the surface which furnishes an ample supply of fuel.

The first settlement was made in 1832, by John Dill. In 1833, occurred the first marriage ceremony by which Jacob Ryan and Miss Stemball were united. The first death was occasioned by the drowning in Spoon river of Mahlon Winans, a U. S. mail carrier, who attempted to swim across the river. Quite a number of ferries were started in the eastern and southeastern part of Knox County, because Spoon River flows through that portion of the county. One John Colman, started a Spoon River ferry in 1834, and it was known by his name. Afterwards it was called Trenton.

Truro township has been rich in Indian relics, and upon Section 31 a number of graves were found. Logs had been split into halves and hollowed out for coffins, and they were placed in the forks of trees, ten to fifteen feet above the ground, where they rested, the remaining skeletons projecting above the tops. They were taken down in 1836 and given a white man's burial.

Notwithstanding the roughness of the surface, there are still level prairies, north and south of Spoon River, that have attracted prosperous farmers. The land has been well tilled, herds of cattle, sheep and horses and of well-bred hogs are common sights upon these farms.

The population is chiefly American-born citizens of English, Irish, Scotch and Swedish ancestors. People of all religious faiths, Protestants and Catholics, joined in advancing education. And there is a perfect assimilation of different nations, comes through a spirit of broad charity in the matter of religious faith.

 The Santa Fe railroad was built through the township of Truro in 1887, and on April 24, 1888, Williamsfield was laid out by E. P. Percell and has become one of the most prosperous towns in the county. It has graded schools and churches, banks, a printing office, etc. Various lines of mercantile houses are represented which include general stores, hardware stores, meat market, lumberyards, furniture and undertaking establishments, restaurants, livery barns, barbershops, blacksmith shops, dry goods and millinery.

The Odd Fellows and Degree of Rebekah are also represented here.