Galesburg, city (2020 pop. 30,052),
seat of Knox co., W Ill., in a farm, livestock, and coal area; chartered
1841. A trade, rail, and industrial center, it has railroad shops and plants
that manufacture paint, rubber hoses, apparel, and plastics. Galesburg was
founded by Presbyterians from the Mohawk valley, N.Y., under the leadership
of George Washington Gale. They
established Knox College, and in 1858 a debate between Abraham Lincoln and
Stephen Douglas took place in Knox Old Main, the oldest building on the
campus. The birthplace of the poet Carl Sandburg has been preserved.
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