Polk Station was named as part of the deal between the Illinois Central Railroad and John Polk when a right of way was needed through the John Polk farm.

John and Agnes Polk (see Polk Family Bio) came to Obion County circa 1833 from South Carolina and settled on the highest hill and built a home.  Family lore suggests that John might be the son of Ezekiel Polk and uncle of President James K. Polk.  He was a successful farmer and the father of eight children who all went to Texas except the two youngest sons, James and William.

William “Billy” Polk married in 1856 Susan Harper and they had 14 children, of whom only four daughters and one son married.  Some descendants presently live in Obion County.

As a side note, William Polk of North Carolina, a relative of John, gave the fifty acres for the town of Troy and an additional 15 acres for the commons.