There actually is a town called Knockemstiff, Ohio, says Tim Jones in today's Trib:

Knockemstiff is one of the peculiar historical pleasures that is ignored as Ohio prepares to celebrate its 200th anniversary next year. The rough-and-tumble history of the town is sketchy and largely anecdotal, but unlike oddly named places such as Tightwad, Mo., Nimrod, Minn., and Monkey's Eyebrow, Ky., Knockemstiff's history, until recently, has been true to the town's name. Especially at the Bull Pen Bar, where life resembled the bar scene in "Star Wars."http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/showcase/chi-0208060175aug06.story