The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-10-25
Interesting Data, Little Re.
membered, Is Found In
Old County History
SIGNIFICANCE FOUND
In TITLES IS TRACED
Presidents, Soldiers, States
men and Early Settlers
Are Given Honor

Having had, recently, occasion to
look into history of Knox county in
search for information, some interest
ing and little known information was
found there between the covers.
Among other things was found the de-
rivatiOn of the names of most of the
90 townships of Knox county.
First in the list of the 90 is Berlin
township. According to the historian,
1t derives its name from Berlin, Conn,
and not from any fancied association
with Berlin, Germany. The name was
proposed by Stephen Cole. The town.
ship was created June 4, 1882.
Brown township perpetuates the
name and military achievements of
Major General Jacob Brown, an Amer
1t was organized as a separate town.
ship March 6, 1926, having been prior
to that time attached to Jefferson
township.
Butler township is a monument to
Benjamin Butler, one of the three
men, Joseph Walker, Thomas b. Pat
terson and Benjamin Butler, who
plated Mt. Vernon in 1905. He owned
all that part of the original plot
south of High street and east of
Main, then Market street.
The Significance of the name of Col.
lege township is obvious. Title to A.
900 acres was vested in the trustees
Of Kenyon college. This land was set
off from Pleasant township and organ.
lied as separate township by the
legislature in 1888.
Clay township honors the name of
Henry Clay, who would rather be
right than be president" 1t was or
ganized March ., 1925.
Clinton township Is one OF the four
original townships of Knox county.
The historians are silent as to the de.
rivation OF the name, but 1t probably
was given In honor of Dewitt Clinton,
governor OF New York, and identified
with canal construction in that state
and In Ohio.
Hilliar township perpetuates the
name of the Rev. DR.. Hichard Hilliar
clergyman and physician, first set
tier resident In the township, and the
first white person to die within It's
borders. Originally part of Miller
township, Hilliar township was organ
lied August 2S, 1918.
Harrison township was organized
March 9, 1925, and named in honor OF
Gen. William Henry Harrison, presi
dent of the United States.
Howard township was formed March
O., 1925. The historian is silent re
specting the source of the township
name.
Jackson township, as correctly may
be inferred, bears the name of Gen
Andrew Jackson, president of the
United States. 1t was formed from
Morgan township September 4, 1915.
Jefferson also bears the name of q
President of the United States, Thorn
as Jefferson. 1t was organized the
first Monday In March, 1880.
Liberty township was formed June
4. 1922. The usual Significance at
taching to the name may have inspir
ed It's selection.
,,Middlebury township, formed Dec
& 1928" was named by the count,
commissioners, at the suggestion o
Luther Bateman, TO perpetuate tn,
memory of Middlebury. In Vermont
from whence many of the settlers
came"
Milford township takes its nam,
from New Milford, Conn, A. Bannini
Norton. tells that "Judson Lamsol
proposed that II should be called Mil
ford, taking the name from his nativ
town, New Milford. Connecticut. SOM
objection was offered to every othe
name but this. and In consideration o
the fact that Mr.. Lamson was one o
the oldest settlers, and also of It's he
Ing a New England name--those pres
ent being all from down east'--it wa
adopted" The township was forme
March 3, 1923.
Miller township was named
James Miller, for himself. original
the township was called Sychamor
but this was not pleasing to the res
dents of the township. II was agree
by them that the privilege of givin
the township name should be sol
at. public auction Oct. 10, 1913. A
whiskey was at that time considere
a necessary article-almost leg,
ltender-it was agreed that the perso