Located in Kankakee County, Illinois, Pembroke Township was formally organized on February 17, 1877, carved from parts of Momence Township. The roots of this community extend back even further, beginning in the 1860s as a thriving Black farming enclave and a vital station along the Underground Railroad. Visionary pioneers Joseph "Pap" Tetter and Mary Eliza Tetter, who escaped enslavement to pursue liberty, were instrumental in establishing a society built on independence, property ownership, and solidarity. Alongside other courageous seekers of freedom, they transformed Pembroke into a sanctuary of strength and endurance during the Reconstruction period. Today, this rich history of perseverance continues to define the spirit and heritage of our township.