The history of the beginning of Neponset dates from 1789, when Congress organized the Northwest Territory. A few American settlers began to move into this territory, but settlement was impeded by Indian hostilities and the War of 1812. At the end of the War of 1812 and also the end of the Blackhawk War, settlers came with a rush. In 1818 the population was 40,000, which was the population necessary for Illinois to become a state. An area in the Northwest Territory was granted to Illinois, known as a Military Tract.

After the end of the War of 1812, soldiers who had Army service received patents - - - grants of 160 acres of land in the Military Tract. Many returning soldiers considered it of little value and didn't bother to locate it. They sold it to eager promoters for a small sum. The land was also open to homesteaders.

In 1836 the first English settlers, William and Ann Studley, staked a claim in the region known as Barren Grove on the map. In 1840 other English settlers arrived, followed by more from the same part of England.

The English settlers, perhaps a bit homesick, named the settlement Brawby for the town in England which they had left to come to America. It was located about two miles north of what is now Neponset.

The name Neponset is derived from an Indian tribal name. It is the name of a river which empties into Massachusetts Bay. The transport vessel which brought the Nortons (arr. 1840) from England landed in the mouth of this river. There is no town there, but the whole area, then as now, is called Neponset.

In 1866, the town in Bureau County in Illinois which grew after the railroad was built and a depot established, was officially named Neponset.