James Knox Polk Trovillion, son of James Y. and Betty Anne (Maddox) Trovillion, was born in Pope county, Illinois, April 2d, 1845, and died in the county of his birth, at Brownfield, May 17, 1927.
His father, veteran of the Black Hawk and Mexican wars, with the mother, scions of old and highly esteemed families from the south, came to this state following the close of the Mexican War, and reared a large family. Now only one of the family remains, a son, W. N. Trovillion, of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Their descendants, however, number in the hundreds, and are scattered in many parts of the United States.
"Uncle Knox," as he was known alike to friends and kindred, began in his youth the building of what proved to be one of the most outstanding characters known to this section of the country.
His early life was largely influenced by that of his older brother, Ned, ( Elder Elijah Edward Trovillion) and at the age of fifteen years, in company with the bosom friend of his life, "Jimmie" Carr ( the late Dr. James Carr, of Galatia, Ill.) he was baptized by Eld. John Blanchard into the fellowship of Columbus Baptist church, where his membership remained thereafter. This same church ( Now Brownfield Baptist Church).
When scarcely more than a lad, in 1864, he enlisted in the Civil war, serving in Co. F, 29 Reg. Ill. Vol. until the close of the war, in 1865.
On April 7, 1870, he was married to Miss Hanna Louisa Hillerman, a young woman of high attainments, and a teacher of recognized ability. To her young husband, who had felt the call of God into the ministry, she proved herself a helpmeet in thought and deed, working by his side through years of adversity, when he was just entering into his career. However, only a few years passed, and life's greatest tragedy overtook their home, and she, the wife and mother, was called away. Two children remained from this happy union, but both preceded their father in death. The son, Josiah Colver, whose two children, Martin Knox, and Miss Lou, with their mother, reside in St. Louis, hold positions of responsibility with the Ely Walker Wholesale Dry Goods Co., the former as a house salesman, and the latter as a secretary for the firm. The daughter, Marie, who married J. W. Clanahan, left a family of six children. In spite of handicap they all grew to maturity and are making good in their various spheres. Ethel, now Mrs. Gus E. Nylen, resides in Douglas, Wyoming; Rose Ella, a young business woman, in Casper, Wyoming, Colver, in Saratoga, Texas, Carl in Poplar Bluff, Mo., Sim V. in Brownfield, near the old home.
His second marriage was to Mrs. Missouri Waters, who survives him. To them three children were born, and still live. To them three children were born, and still live. Wm. S., of Carbondale, Ill., a widowed daughter, Mrs. Millie Green, who resides with her mother, and Miss Anna L., of Herrin, Ill., a stenographer for the C. B. & Q. R. R. Company. Three grandchildren are named Ned Trovillion, of Carbondale, and Ralph and Anna Green, of Brownfield.
His work as a minister of the gospel was limited to the Southern Illinois counties of Pope, Massac, Johnson and Saline. By his writings and his active work in State and Southwide interests of the church, he was known beyond these borders.
During his lifetime he served as pastor 32 Baptist churches. In carrying out his work for them, it is conservatively estimated that he traveled something like fifty thousand miles, on foot, on horseback, and on trains. As pastor he managed the building of five church buildings, and aided in constituting 13 Baptist churches. His longest pastorate, not consecutive, however, was with his mother church, at Brownfield, where he served 26 faithful years. Other important pastorates were the First Baptist Church of Harrisburg, Also, McKinley Ave. Baptist Church of Harrisburg, which was built under his management, and churches at New Burnside and Golconda.
A student, always, he never ceased in his study of the Bible, and truly, as a result, he was a workman approved of God, with no cause to be ashamed.
Dr. Throgmorton, editor of the Illinois Baptist, says: "We shall not probably see his like again. few men in their day have been more useful. As a man and a citizen he was of a type the very best. A great teacher as well as a preacher. As a parliamentarian he was well informed, this being demonstrated by his services as moderator at various gatherings. Many times did he fill the chair for Big Saline and Antioch Associations, and always with credit. He had the honor of presiding over the meeting which considered the formation of the Illinois Baptist Association, and later presided in the complete organization of the body. Many years he served on the State Mission Board."
Much of his time in latter years was devoted to writing for religious journals.
The funeral was held at Brownfield church Thursday morning, May 19. Burial followed at Prospect cemetery. The church filled to its capacity, bore testimony to the esteem in which he was held by his neighbors and home people. All business was suspended, and all public places closed in the village.

Copied from Herald-Enterprise May, 1927
This obituary was published in the book, Obituaries, Pope County, Illinois, 1926-1927 by Faye