| Notes |
- Provided by Chuck Knox
Charles Sumner Knox, when reaching adulthood moved to Mattoon, Coles County, and IL and on March 23, 1892 married Cora Ellen Haskell. Three children were born to this marriage with Paul Francis, being the only one to survive infancy. In 1904, Charles with his wife and son moved to Villa Grove to work on the Frisco/Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad. He had resigned from a job as conductor on the Peoria, Decatur and Eastern Railroad in Mattoon.
Charles’ nickname was “Battler”. He picked this up from being the sparring partner of “Battler Nelson”, a champion boxer around the turn of the century. Also, he earned it because Charley liked the bottle and the boys at the local saloons. Apparently, Charley
Albert Morrison, who was about Paul’s age, tells the story of going for a Sunday ride with Paul driving and Al in the front seat with him. Cora and Charley in the back seat and Charley working on a basket of home brew beer bottles. When they started out, Charley would tell Paul to be careful of this and that but by the time they had started back from their ride he would lean back, open another bottle and say “ Keep here between the fences Paulie/” Charley was a hard worker and a hard spender, typical of his time and his job with a new railroad, new town and attitudes similar to a frontier town in the west.
Charley died on 12 Sept 1917 from heart trouble. Cora, when she found he could only live a few more weeks called off medical care.
Villa Grove News
September 13 1917
GOOD CITIZEN CALLED
Charles S. Knox Died at Home In This City Last Week
FUNERAL HELD FRIDAY AFTERNOON
Had Been With Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad a Number of Years
At his home in this city on Wednesday evening, September 12, occurred the death of Charles S. Knox, after serious illness of only two weeks of heart trouble, although he had been under the care of a physician for some time. In the death of this man Villa Grove loses one of her best known citizens and will be missed by a large number of friends. Charley was one of those whole-souled men who dearly loved life and whom everyone found to be a good fellow in all his doings. Honest as the day was long, true to his every promise and faithful to mankind in his walk in life.
Charles S. Knox was the son of Lincoln A. (should be Alexander L.) and Martha Knox was born in Homer, June 23, 1861(should be Richmond, Ohio June 23, 1859) and died September 12, 1917 aged 66 years 2 months 19 days. He spent all of his early life in Hoopeston, going to Mattoon when he reached manhood where he was united in marriage to Miss Cora A. Haskell, March 23, 1892, to which union three children were born, the first two dying in infancy and Francis Paul (should be Paul Francis) who lives with his mother here. He lived in Mattoon and Decatur until November 1904 when he moved to Villa Grove where he has since resided being employed in the yard service of the C&EI railroad. He is survived by his widow, one son, Paul, three brothers, Lincoln Knox of Hoopeston, John Knox of Needles California, and William Knox of Washington, and on sister Mrs. Mattie Steely of Chicago. The funeral was held at the late residence Wednesday afternoon conducted by Rev. G. A Frazier and was in charge of the Masonic lodge and the interment was in the Villa Grove cemetery. Those from a distance who attended the funeral were Lincoln Knox and Mrs. James Knox of Hoopeston and Mrs. Mattie Steely of Chicago.
Cora Haskell was the daughter of Charles Haskell of Mattoon. Cora was born in Neoga on 6 Oct 1873. She was always straight-laced and remarkably good looking in her youth.
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1857 - 1917 (60 years)
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