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LIBRARY OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
977.348
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ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
A CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY OF
FULTON COUNTY.
BY ALONZO M. SWAN.
CANTON, FULTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
1871.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871,
BY ALONZO M. SWAN,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
STEAM PKESS OF
N. C. NASON,
PKORIA, ILLINOIS.
"So
TO MY WIFE,
S.
THIS WORK 13 DEDICATED :
YOURSELF THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF FOUR PIONEERS, AND ONE OF THE
FIRST WHITE CHILDREN BORN IN KNOX COUNTY.
A GOOD WIFE, AN AFFECTIONATE MOTHEB,
MAY YOU BE HAPPY THROUGH LIFE, IS THE PRAYER OF
YOUR AFFECTIONATE HUSBAND,
THE AUTHOR.
497295
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
FIRST SETTLEMENT, BY THEODORE SERGEANT,
ISAAC SWAN, AND NATHAN JONES.
PRIOR to 1821, the present site of the Town of Canton was
uninhabited. Deer, turkeys, and other wild denizens of the wood
and prairie, were the only occupants. In 1822, Theodore Sergeant,
Captain D. W. Barnes and Charles Sergeant came into the town-
ship, settling on the place now occupied by John Lane, Esq.,
northwest of Canton.
In 1822, Theodore Sergeant visited the land office at Vandalia
and obtained a list of Congress lands in Fulton county. By some
mistake, the northeast quarter of section 27, in Township 7 North,
4 East, on which afterward was laid out the original town site,
was given, on this list, as Congress and unentered land. Sergeant,
being then a single man, decided to "preempt" it; and accord-
ingly erected a cabin near but north of the site of the present
High-School building, and broke up and put into cultivation a few
acres of ground. Being a single man and not disposed to keep
bachelor's hall, he employed a blacksmith, in about 1823, by the
name of Harrison Hughland, to occupy his cabin, board him, and
carry on blacksmithing. Hughland was a maker of cow-bells,
and did the first manufacturing of any kind in the township, man-
ufacturing bells for the few settlers in the county. Hughland
carried on the shop only about one year for Sergeant, but after-
ward worked here for a short time on his own account.
In 1824, Sergeant was visited by Isaac Swan, who exhibited to
him a military title for his claim. Sergeant at once vacated the
place, and Swan entered into possession. Swan was accompanied
by his brother-in-law, Nathan Jones. Jones owned the northwest
quarter of section 34, in the same township ; and as the two quar-
ters " cornered" with each other, and as Jones's quarter was tim-
ber land, considerably broken, and considered of little value for
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
cultivation, while Swan's was prairie, smooth, and a choice farm-
ing tract, they entered into an arrangement by which each quar-
ter was divided through the centre from east to west. Swan took,
under this arrangement, the north half of each quarter, and Jones
the south half.
Isaac Swan saw the advantage of the location as a town site,
and determined at once to lay off a town. He proposed to Jones
that they should jointly survey the west forty acres of each one's
prairie tract; but Jones objected.
At this time a man by the name of Kinney was living on the
northeast quarter of section twenty-seven, since known as the
old Coleman farm. Kinney claimed to own the quarter, and pro-
posed to Swan that he would join in the enterprise. To this
Swan consented; and accordingly, on the 10th day of December,
1825, the Town of Canton was " staked off" and began its career.
Kinney's lots were numbered from one to fifty-four, in consecutive
order, and Swan's, beginning at fifty-five, continued up to one
hundred and eight.
Some time in the following season, John Coleman, sen., came
into the country with a title to the quarter of land claimed by
Kinney, and at once ousted him from possession. Prior to this,
Kinney, doubtless knowing his claim to be worthless, had pro-
posed to Isaac Swan that they should divide lots alternately
through both tracts, in order that, when purchasers presented
themselves, they might say that one-half their lots had already
been sold. Swan very foolishly consented to this arrangement.
At the time Coleman ousted Kinney, he had sold no lots except
on Swan's part of the plat. Of course, such sales proved to him
clear profit.
Kinney remained in Canton a few years, until, finally, on one
occasion, he proposed to Swan that he could make more money
manufacturing bogus silver than in any other way, and proposed
to Swan that he join him in the business. Swan was an
honest man, and no such proposition could be made to him with
impunity. He at once notified Kinney that he had just twenty-
four hours in which to wind up his business relations with Canton
and Canton people, and make his escape from the wrath that was
sure to overtake him if he tarried beyond that time. Pie did not
tarry, it is recorded.
The boundary-line between Swan and Kinney was Adelphi
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
street. When Coleraan came into possession, he fenced up Kin-
ney's survey, fencing to the centre of this street; and here orig-
inated a controversy that for years was kept up in regard to Adel-
phi street one party claiming that Coleman could not, by law,
vacate it ; the other claiming that he could.
The boundaries of Swan's portion of the town were as follows :
beginning at the corner of Fourth and Adelphi streets; thence
west to the corner of North-First and Adelphi ; thence south to
the corner of North-First and Union ; thence east to the corner
of Union and Fourth streets ; thence north to the place of be-
ginning.
Swan soon induced Jones to lay off an addition immediately
south of the original town, but at what date the recorded plat
does not show. This was Jones's first Addition to the Town of
Canton, and extended from the corner of Fourth and Union streets
west to the corner of Union and First streets ; thence south one
block to Elm street; thence east to the corner of Elm and Fourth
streets ; thence north one block to the place of beginning.
Jones laid off on his the present Public Square, he owning the
property on three sides of it, and Swan on one (the north) side.
This addition was probably laid out in the spring or summer of
1830.
Canton received its name, given to it by Isaac Swan, from a
notion he entertained that in its location it was directly the anti-
podes of its Chinese namesake. Pekin, in Tazewell county, had
been laid out a short time previously, and Isaac determined, he
said, " that the two celestial cities should be represented at pre-
cisely their opposite pole on the earth's surface."
Isaac Swan erected the first building on the original town plat,
immediately after it was laid out. This building was a log-cabin,
perhaps sixteen by eighteen feet, and was for some time known as
" Swan's catch-all." It was designed as a stopping-place for any
family that might come in, until they could build ; when unoccu-
pied, he used it as a carpenter's shop. This building was situated
on Union street, above Fourth.
The first family to avail themselves of this "catch-all" was the
family of John Hannan, who came in soon after Swan and Jones.
Hannan obtained from Swan a lot on Main street, now occupied
by S. Smith, Esq., and built the first house intended for a resi-
dence in town. This was a cabin, and was occupied by him until
8 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
his death, Avhich occurred at Beardstown, in 1831, as he was re-
turning from a trip to St. Louis. His widow continued to occupy
the same house for some time, when she removed to the Hannan
farm, just east of the C. B. & Q. Railroad.
John C. Owens came in about the same time the Hannans did,
and erected a cabin on Wood street, on the block now owned and
occupied by Mrs. Dr. Childs. It was in this house that, in all
probability, the first white child was born in the original Town of
Canton. It is claimed by some that Harrison Hughland's wife
gave birth to the first white child while living near the Central
School-House site. If this is true, as there seems to be reason to
believe, this child whether male or female is not now known
was the earliest born Avithin the present city limits. But John C.
Owens's oldest boy name not known was, without doubt, the
first born in the original plat. Mr. Owens was a farmer. By his
first wife he wan a son-in-law of old Father Fraker, who lived
just west of Big Creek at that time. Owens at this time, how-
ever, was living with his second wife, who was a sister of Lewis
Walling's first wife. Owens and Fraker removed from Canton,
at an early date, and settled at Fraker's Grove. Owens is still
living, at or near Mt. Carroll, in Carroll county.
Swan was a man of enterprise, and was determined that his
town should be populated at once ; so, as an inducement to set-
tlers, he announced his determination to give a lot to any man
who would build and become a settler in the town. John Han-
nan was the first man to secure a lot, and was followed soon by
others. Swan kept this offer good until about 1833, stipulating,
however, in later years, as to the kind of house that should be
built.
At this time (1826) Samuel Morse resided on what was then
known as the Morse quarter, west of and adjoining the town plat.
His cabin stood on the ground now occupied by the residence of
Perry Plattenberg, Esq., on Main street, west of First street.
Morse was the owner of a hand mill, upon which was ground much
of the corn-meal of the settlers of Canton. As most of the pres-*s
ent generation have not been blessed with a sight of one of the
old style of hand mills, we will copy for their benefit Gov. John
Reynolds's description.
" In the hand mill, the stones are smaller than those of the horse
mill," (the lower stone was fixed and the upper movable) " and
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 9
are propelled by man or woman power. A hole is made in the
upper stone, and a staff of wood is put in it, and the other end of
the staff is put through a hole in a plank above, so that the whole
is free to act. One or two persons take hold of this staff, and
turn the upper stone with as much velocity as possible. An eye
is made in the upper stone, through which the corn is let into the
mill with the hand in small quantities, to suit the mill, instead of
the hopper."
Samuel Morse continued to reside in Canton until some time
about 1834, when he removed to Knox county. He was a plain,
unassuming, honest man, a good neighbor and citizen. His wife,
Mary Morse was a tailoress, and the first who ever worked in
Canton. She is still living in Mills county, Iowa, and, although
more than eighty years of age, still makes her own living by her
needle. She was a pattern of the best class of pioneer women.
Intelligent, of fair education, kindly impulses, and of courteous car-
riage, she made the impression upon all with whom she came in
contact that she was indeed a lady of the old school. Of her
numerous children, but one, Thomas A. Morse, is now living.
Theodore Sergeant, who was indeed the pioneer of Canton, was
born in New Hampshire. He served five years in the Regular Army,
including in that period the War of 1812. He was discharged at
Detroit, Michigan. Soon after his discharge, he fell in company
with Captain D. W. Barnes and Wm. Blanchard, who, with his
brother Charles Sergeant, determined to unite their fortunes and
visit the Far West in search of the "Bounty Land" Congress
had given them in the Military Tract of Illinois. This party,
after leaving Detroit, made their way on foot through the wilder-
ness to Fort Wayne, Indiana; thence by skiff down the Wabash
to Vincennes. Here disposing of their skiff, they walked across
the Territory of Illinois to St. Louis, and, again taking skiff,
came to Fort Clark now Peoria. In 1819 they jointly opened
a farm opposite Peoria, at the mouth of Farm Creek, to which
they gave its name.
Sergeant soon made a trip into Fulton county in search of his
land. He found it to be located in the brakes of Big Creek, some
where in what has since been known as the Wilcoxen settlement,
several miles south of Canton, and by no means a desirable lo-
cation for a farm. He reported, however, to his companions that
there were fine lands, good timber, and plenty of water, a few
2
10 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
miles north of his land, and advised the party to make their final
and permanent settlement here. Accordingly, in 1821, Captain D.
W. Barnes, Theodore Sergeant, and Charles Sergeant, removed to
Fulton county and made a temporary settlement near the mouth of
Spoon River. Barnes was the only married man in the party, and
hence has the honor of being named in this connection as being in-
deed the first settler in Canton township, to which he removed in
1822. His location was on the farm now owned and occupied by
John Lane, Esq., northwest of town.
Sergeant continued to make his home with Barnes until his
marriage, which occurred on the 5th day of November, 1824.
He married Miss Rachel Brown. This was the first wedding that
occurred in Canton township, and was one of the earliest mar-
riages celebrated in the county. It has been incorrectly stated
that this wedding was the first in the county ; but we have Mr.
Sergeant's own statement to the contrary. He says, however,
that he did make proposals for the hand of the lady for whom is
claimed the honor of being the first woman married in the county.
He relates it as follows :
" I had made up my mind that I ought to have a housekeeper,
and accordingly had my eye out for one. Some how, I heard
that there was an old lady living down toward the mouth of Spoon
River, by the name of Wentworth, who had some gals that
wanted to marry, so I concluded I would go down and see about
it. I did so, and on arriving there at once made my business
known to old Mrs. Wentworth. The old lady looked me over,
with the air of a judge of the article she wanted, and began her
catechism by asking me what I followed, my age, and where I
was from. I told her I was twenty-nine years old, had been five
years a soldier, and thought I could manage a wife. That I was
from Barnes's settlement, was opening a farm, and wanted a gal
to help me pull through the start. The old lady shook her head
and informed me that I would not suit her gals, as she had made
up her mind that they should all marry store-keepers. I told her,
if that was the case, I reckoned her gals would not suit me, as I
wanted one that could pull with me on the start."
Sergeant returned to Canton from this unsuccessful wooing, and
reported the result to the few young men in this part of the
county. They at once determined to get even with the family
whose notions were so aristocratic. There was an occasional
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 11
peddler, named Clark, who came through the county on horse-
back, carrying needles, thread and other small wares in a sack,
dividing his stock into equal portions and balancing it over his
saddle. This Clark was the first peddler who visited the county.
Clark was not a man of much force of character, and it was de-
termined to send him after the Wentworth girls. He readily ac-
ceded to the proposition, and soon visited Mrs. W. In reply to
her interrogatories, Clark informed the old lady that he resided
in Peoria, and sold goods for a livelihood. This filled the old
lady's bill, nnd she at once gave her daughter to Clark in mar-
riage; and Sergeant thinks theirs was the first wedding celebrated
in the county. It took place a few weeks prior to Sergeant's wed-
ding.
George S. McConnell, however, relates an incident connected
with the first court held in the county, in the spring or early sum-
mer of the same year, which establishes the fact that Clark's could
not have been the first wedding, as at that court a couple were
divorced, the woman being a sister of the Tottens, and the same
night the divorced woman was married to one of the jurors, by
the name of Williams, who had tried her cause.
Sergeant's wedding, being the first in the township, is well
worthy of commemoration, and fortunately we have, in the per-
son of Henry Andrews, one of the wedding party, a faithful and
graphic chronicler.
He says, this wedding was an event in the Barnes neighborhood.
It occurred at the cabin of Daniel Brown, the father of the bride.
All the neighbors were invited, and probably all were assembled
in the cabin : still, though small, it was not nearly full. The bride
was gorgeously appareled in a checked linsey homespun dress, a
three-cornered handkerchief about her neck, and her feet encased
in moccasins. The groom also wore moccasins, and a full suit of
new linsey, colored with butternut-bark. The guests were dressed
much the same, and were seated on puncheon benches around the
sides of the cabin. Captain Barnes, at that time County Com-
missioner, performed the marriage ceremony, with due and be-
coming dignity. At the conclusion of the ceremony, all the
gentlemen present "saluted the bride." When this ceremony
had been completed, old Mr. Brown produced a "noggin" of
whisky and a bran-new tin-cup then considered a very aristo-
cratic drinking-vessel, and passed the customary beverage to
12 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
all present. All drank from the cup, filling it from the "noggin"
when empty, and passing it from hand to hand until again empty.
The liquor soon began to make the guests merry, and jokes and
songs were considered to be in order. George Matthews, a gay
old bachelor, was considered a very fine ballad-singer, and sang
a song that would scarcely be considered appropriate on a festive
occasion at this day. Mr. Andrews gives from memory two
verses of this ballad :
"There 's the silly old man
Of a hundred and twenty,
Who pines on his riches,
Though stores he has plenty ;
" He '11 exchange all his riches,
His lands and his rents,
For a worm-eaten coffin,
A hundred years hence."
This song was vigorously applauded, and was followed by
several others of the same sort. The party dispersed about eleven
o'clock.
During this season, William Betson, a New-Light preacher,
preached in this settlement, at Canton, and at other points in the
county. His wife was a German lady, and waged warfare against
the Masonic fraternity, her one argument, on all occasions, be-
ing, "I does not pelief in dose Freemasoners ; kaze'dey vont lets
de vimmens knows all apout it : so dere ! "
In 1824, Yelverton Peyton erected a house within the present
city limits, on the Coleman tract, near where Hayden Keeling
now occupies as a brickyard. Peyton was a large man and a
giant in strength. It is said that he cut the logs for his cabin and
"backed" them up on his shoulders, carrying logs no two ordin-
ary men could have lifted. Peyton lived here a few years and
was taken down with consumption. He went south, finally, for
his health, and died. His widow, who is a sister of John
McCann, is still living near Utica.
Until about 1830, there were no regular dry-goods stores in
Canton. Up to that period goods were purchased either at Ed-
wardsville or St. Louis. The settlers would several of them club
together, and select one or two of their number to take a
"pirogue," loaded with the neighborhood peltry, beeswax and
honey, to one or the other of those markets, and exchange it for
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 13
salt, lead, powder, and such other goods as might be within the
scope of their ambition or means. This trip occupied about two
months' time, and was attended with considerable difficulty and
not a little danger.
One of the buildings erected in Canton in 1825 was a school-
house. It was situated on the west side of Wood street, between
Union and Illinois streets, on the lot now owned and occupied by
Hon. A. C. Babcock. John C. Owens was the first school-teacher.
This house merits a description. It was of logs, unhewn and by
no means straight. The roof was low and covered with clap-
boards, kept in place by weight-poles. The house-logs were very
small, of willow and cottonwood timber, principally. Several
holes were cut through the logs to let the dark out, but admitted
a very scanty supply of light. The floor, for the first year, was
of the best variety of prairie soil, tramped hard by the feet of the
young ideas who were there taught to shoot. The seats were
logs split in two parts and supported on pins driven into holes
bored for the purpose. The one writing-desk was a wide punch-
eon, with its upper surface planed, and supported on slanting
pins driven into one of the logs. The door, of unshaved clap-
boards, swung upon wooden hinges. One side of the room was
occupied by an enormous old-fashioned fire-place. There was no
ceiling save the clapboard roof, although one or two joists held a
wide puncheon, whereon, at overcrowded meetings for this
school-house also did duty as a place of worship, the more ad-
venturous of the boys would climb and sit out the service, with
their bare legs swinging over the heads of the worshipers below.
Here Owens assembled a few of the children in the winter of
1825 and 1826 Jo. and Jim Anderson, Henry Andrews, Ed.
Therman, Harriet, Elmira and Williston Jones, the Owens children,
the Peyton, Hughland and Fraker children, and a few others.
Owens was succeeded by Ezra Fairchild. Fairchild succeeded
in getting a puncheon floor put into the school-house, and some
other trifling improvements made. He was an excellent teacher,
and for many years held the position of Justice of the Peace in
Canton, being the successor of Isaiah Stillman in that office.
Fairchild opened the first coal-mine ever regularly worked in
the township. It was a drift mine, on the Morse quarter, and the
mouth of the mine opened at the east side of where the engine-
house of Babcock's Mill is now built.
14 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
In 1823 there settled, on the northwest quarter of section
thirty-five, 7 North, 4 East, a man by the name of Joseph Ander-
son. Anderson had before been living for a time near the present
site of Utica. He had been a soldier in the British army during
the war of 1812; but, being taken prisoner by the American
forces under General Scott, had decided to cast his fortunes with
the American people. Anderson was a thorough-going, enter-
prising man, an Irishman of education, and the kind of man
best adapted to pioneer life. He brought with him to Canton
township seven children five boys and three girls. The boys
were Joseph, Richard, James, Samuel, and A. N., familiarly
known as Doc. Anderson. Samuel died when only seven years
old; Richard died here at an early day, James only a few years
ago. Joseph and A. N. are still living in Canton. The girls
were Marguerette, who died here unmarried ; Jane and Isabella,
both of whom were Jane the first, and Isabella the second
wives of J. B. Maloney. Isabella is still living in Canton.
Mrs. Anderson survived her husband until August, 1865, resid-
ing constantly on the old homestead. She was an excellent
woman, well remembered, by old and young who lived in Canton
during her life, as "Aunt Molly Anderson." She was in some de-
gree eccentric, but kind, genial, and hospitable. No person in
want or trouble ever applied to her for aid or sympathy and was
refused.
The Anderson farm extended as far north as Walnut street,
and as far west as the C.B.& Q. railroad track. A portion of it
is now occupied by Anderson's Addition to Canton.
The very first mill of any description in Canton township was
a band-mill owned by Father Fraker, as he was called, who
lived on the east end of Captain Barnes's farm, a little west and
north of the Fairview Bridge. He came int6 the neighborhood
in 1823, and remained two or three years, when he removed to
Fraker's Grove, in the north part of the state, to which he gave
its name.
There was a family here in 1824 by the name of Garland, who
lived on the Coleman land. Garland is believed to have been a
brother-in-law of Kinney, but little is known of him.
In 1826 the entire population of Canton consisted of the fami-
lies of Nathan Jones, Samuel Morse, John Hannan, J. C. Owens,
Harrison Hughland who went to the lead-mines with his family
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 15
the next year and did not return, Joseph Anderson, Wm. Hig-
gins, Yelverton Peyton, and Isaac Swan a single man. Swan
soon after married Elizabeth Addis.
In the township, outside of Canton, were living Captain D. W.
Barnes, Theodore Sergeant, Charles Sergeant, Henry Therman,
George Matthews, Aaron Roberts, John Pixley, Seth Littler in
whose memory Littler's Creek, in Knox county, was named,
David Gallentine, a Mr. Campbell, John Coleman, Father Fraker,
Thos. Wolf, Daniel Babbett, and possibly one or two others,
whose names are not now known.
In about 1824, Jacob Ellis was living in the neighborhood of
Independence, in Putman township. He was running a band
mill, the first in this portion of the county. I am indebted to
Reynolds's History of Illinois for a description of the pioneer
"band mill."
" The Band Mill was so called because a raw-hide band was
put on the large drive- wheel, in the place of cogs; it saved the
gearing of the mill. They constituted the lowest and cheapest
order of horse-mills. Pins are put in the place of cogs, and
around them the band is placed. These pins may be changed in-
to holes made for the purpose, so that the bands may be made
tight when necessary."
John Coleman established one of these mills north of the Fair-
view Bridge. This mill was celebrated for " making haste and
meal slowly." It was said that it ran so slow that the dogs were
in the habit of chewing in two the band while the mill was run-
ning; when Coleman would call to Jerry, who drove the team, to
know what was the matter, and Jerry would respond that "the
dod denied dogs had chawed the band in two again."
Jacob Ellis erected a water mill between Canton and Lewistown
about 1824, which did a good business. He erected another mill
within three miles of Canton, on Big Creek, about 1829 -'30.
-This mill brought milling very convenient to the people of Can-
ton.
Some of the people, who were not close to some of these prim-
itive mills, contented themselves with preparing their meal on a
"grater." These "graters" were perforated sheets of tin bowed
on to a board, so that the shape was similar to half of a section
of stove-pipe; the rough edges of the perforated tin would tear
16 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
the grains of corn, when it was rubbed briskly over its surface,
and by an hour's hard labor meal enough for a small cake could
be manufactured.
ORGANIZATION OF COUNTY.
THE Act of the Legislature for the organization and establish-
ment of the County of Fulton, and defining its boundaries as
they now exist, was passed on the 28th of January, 1823. Sev-
eral other counties had their boundaries defined by the same act,
but were not to be organized until they should attain the requisite
population. Until the period of their organization they were to
be attached to Fulton county, for all purposes, just as though
they were actually a part of it.
Peoria county was a part of this attached territory, and the vil-
lage of -Peoria furnished to Fulton county its first sheriff, in the
person of Abner Eads, who, in 1823, at the first election, beat
Ossian M. Ross for that position. The Peorians, it is said, came
down from Peoria in " pirogues " to the mouth of Spoon River,
then "pulled" up that stream to the neighborhood of Lewistown,
which was the only voting-place in the county, bringing their
whisky and their candidate with them.
The first session of the circuit court of which I can get any
knowledge was held at Lewistown, in June, 1824. This certainly
was not the first court; but, as the records of the county for the
first year after its organization have disappeared, no account of its
proceedings have reached me.
Mr. George S. McConnell was a spectator at the court held in
June, 1824. He says that Thos. Reynolds, a brother of Gov.
John Reynolds, was judge. Hugh R. Coulter, a brother-in-law
of Ossian M. Ross, was circuit clerk. Coulter was at the same
time justice of the peace, and held several other official positions.
The court was held in Coulter's house. This was a double
log-cabin, containing some three or four rooms. Mr. McConnell
does not remomber seeing but two lawyers in attendance, these
being John Shaw and Nicholas Hanson, nor does he remember
which acted in the capacity of circuit attorney. The panel of
jurors was so scanty that the same persons had to sit both on the
grand and traverse juries.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 17
In 1824, the Board of County Commissioners consisted of David
W. Barnes, Thomas Covill, and a Mr. Moffett. Wm. Totten and
John Pixley were the only constables in the county.
INCIDENTS.
OUT OF MEAT.
ONE day in the fall gf 1823, Henry Andrews relates, there
came two land-hunters to the cabin of Col. Barnes. These men
were Joshua Moore and Levi Ellis. Barnes invited them in the
the most cordial manner to make his house their headquarters
while in the neighborhood, and the invitation was cheerfully ac-
cepted. Mrs. Barnes announced to her husband that the meat
was'out that evening, and that she did not know what she was
going to do for something to eat. As meat and corn-bread or
hominy was about the extent of the pioneer bill of fare at that
period, this announcement was received with some consternation.
Barnes had no stock to kill, and had neglected hunting, from the
pressure of his fall work. George Matthews was at that time
working at Barnes's, and in the morning he undertook to find
some game. He started out east of Barnes's cabin, and had been
gone but a few moments before the report of his gun was heard,
and his halloo for help soon followed it. The whole family started
for the scene of action, anxious to know the result. Matthews
had shot and killed a fine doe within a short distance of the
house, and was proceeding to skin it. This gave Mrs. Barnes re-
lief, and she furnished her guests an abundance of venison during
the balance of their stay.
Moore purchased land in what is now Joshua township, and
gave the township its name. Ellis settled at Ellisville, which
township was also named in his honor. He built a mill at the
^present site of Ellisville. Both of them were prominent and use-
ful men, and possessed of great influence among the people at
that early day.
HOW BUCKHEART TOWNSHIP ACQUIRED ITS NAME.
Some time in about 1824, John Pixley, a tall, gaunt, red-headed
man, a great blow and something of a hunter, shot a buck about
3
18 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
where Piper's Woolen Factory now stands in Canton. The freer
was wounded : Pixley swore it had been shot through the "heart.
He followed it across the prairie to the head of what is now
Buckheart Grove, where he lost track of it. Pixley used to tell
the story as an instance of the wonderful tenacity of life possessed
by deer, always insisting that he had unquestionably shot that
buck through the heart, and that afterward he had followed it five
miles and it had finally escaped him. The grove where it disap-
peared was called Buckheart Grove in derision of this story, and
the stream running through it received the same name, which was
also afterward extended to the township.
The 'first tavern licence issued to a citizen of Canton township
was granted to Captain David W. Barnes, on the 6th of Septem-
ber, 1824. Mr. Barnes was, by the Board of County Commis-
sioners, allowed to charge for a single meal 37|- cents, lodging
1 2 cents, unless two persons occupied one bed, when the bill should
be 6^ cents each. Single feed of oats or corn, 25 cents. Whisky,
per half-pint, the charge. was fixed at 12 cents; rum or gin, per
half-pint, 25 cents; brandy or wine, per half-pint, 37^ cents. At
this time there were but three licensed taverns in the county : one
kept by Ossian M. Ross, at Ross's Ferry; one by Stephen Phelps,
at Lewistown ; and Capt. Barnes's. The Board of County Com-
missioners, or County Court, at this time were James Gardner,
James Barnes, and David W. Barnes. This board received an
application for and granted to John L. Bogardus a license to keep
a ferry across the Illinois River, from the Village of Peoriato the
opposite bank, in Sangamon county Peoria at that time being in
territory that was attached to and under the jurisdiction of Ful-
ton county.
HABITS AND CUSTOMS OF THE PIONEERS.
THE Pioneer was a jolly, generous soul. Meanness did not
enter into his composition. The social scale was exactly balanced,
all occupying precisely the same level. The idea that one man was
socially the superior of any other man was not to be entertained
for one moment:
The earliest residences were, cabins of unhewn logs, having
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 19
either dirt or puncheon floors. The puncheon floor was made by
splitting logs into slabs of six or eight inches in thickness, hew-
ing one surface, and dressing the edges with the broad-axe. This
made a substantial if not even or close-jointed floor. The roof
of the cabin was of clapboards, and kept in position by logs of
wood laid on its upper surface. These logs were called weight-
poles. The chimney was usually made by building a kind of
puncheon double frame for the fire-place, and filling in the space
between about ten or twelve inches in thickness with clay
which was well pounded in the chimney above being made of
sticks built up pen fashion and well daubed with earth mortar.
The hearth was generally pounded clay, unless stone suitable
happened to be very convenient and plenty. The door was
usually made of clapboards, with a wooden latch on the inside,
and was opened from the outside by pulling the latch-string.
When the " latch-string was out," the approaching comer knew
the folks were at home, and, if at all acquainted, never took the
trouble of knocking. If a stranger, he would generally announce
his approach by a loud " halloo, the house ! " which would bring
the good man and woman each, or either who happened to be at
home, to the door, followed by as many juveniles as the cabin af-
forded. If the caller was a footman and a stranger, he first
rapped on the door and called, in a loud voice, "Who keeps the
house ? " and would receive the response from within, " House-
keepers : come in."
The furniture of the cabin was as primitive as the occupants.
In one corner perhaps in two or three corners were the bed-
steads. These were your genuine cottage bedsteads, made by
boring one hole, say four feet from one corner of the cabin, into a
" house-log," another hole, say six feet from the same corner, on
another side ; opposite these holes was set an upright post, usually
a section from the body of a peeled sapling; in this post two holes
would be bored at any desired hight, and at right angles with
each other ; poles were inserted in these holes, making in this man-
ner a square frame ; over this frame was laid a covering of clap-
boar.ds, or, as some denominated them, " shakes," and on top of
this platform the bed was spread. The chairs were to make a
bull not chairs, but three-legged stools or puncheon benches.
The cupboard was literally, a cupboard, being a puncheon sup-
ported by pins driven into holes in the house-logs at some con-
20 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
venient corner. The boxes which had held the family dry goods
while en route to the new country generally furnished the table,
and a trough or troughs the meat and soap barrels. Hollow logs
saw^ed into sections and provided with a puncheon bottom fur-
nished a receptacle for meal, potatoes, beans, wheat, " and sich
like truck" to use the pioneer vernacular. The table was
bounteously supplied with "samp," "ley hominy," corn pone,
honey, venison, pork, stewed pumpkin, wild turkey, prairie
chicken, and other game. Wheat bread, tea, coffee, and fruit
except wild fruit were luxuries not to be indulged in except on
special occasions, as a wedding or gala day. " Samp" was quite
a frequent dish. It was made by burning a hole into some con-
venient stump in the shape of a mortar; this hole was filled with
corn and pounded by a large pestle hung like the old-fashioned
well-sweep pendent from a long pole, which was nearly balanced
on an upright fork. This pole had a weight attached to one end
and the pestle to the other ; the weight would lift the pestle, while
manual force was expected to bring it down. When the " samp "
was pounded sufficiently, it was washed and boiled like rice.
The traveler always found a welcome at the pioneer's cabin.
It was never full : although there might already be a guest for
every puncheon, there was still " room for one more," and a wider
circle would be made for the new-comer at the log fire. If the
stranger was in search of land, he was doubly welcome, and his
host would volunteer to show him all the " first-rate claims in
this neck of woods," going with him for days, showing the cor-
ners and advantages of every "Congress tract" within a dozen
miles from his own cabin.
To his neighbors the pioneer was equally liberal. If a deer
was killed, t"he choicest bits were sent to his next neighbor, a half-
dozen miles away, perhaps. When a " shoat" was butchered, the
same custom prevailed. If a new-comer came in too late for
" cropping," the neighbors would supply his table with just the
same luxuries they themselves enjoyed, and in as liberal quantity,
until a crop could be raised. When the new-comer had located
his claim, the neighbors for miles around would assemble at the
site of the new-comer's proposed cabin and aid him in "gittin' it
up." One party with axes would fell and hew the logs; another
with teams would haul the logs to the ground; another party
would " raise the cabin " ; while several of the old men would
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 21
"rive the clapboards" for the roof. By night the cabin would be
up and ready for occupying, and by the next day the new-comer
was in all respects as well situated as his neighbors.
Saturday was a regular holiday, in which work was ignored
and every body went to town or to some place of general resort.
When all were together in town, sport began. Of course,
whisky circulated freely and every body indulged to a greater or
less extent. Quarrels were now settled by hand-to-hand en-
counters ; wrestling-matches came off or were arranged for in the
future; jumping, foot-racing, and horse-racing filled up the inter-
val of time; and every body enjoyed the rough sports with a zest
unknown among the more refined denizens of the present good
City of Canton.
The fleetest runner among the pioneers was_Stephen Coleman ;
the champion wrestler was Daniel Babbett; while at fisti-cuffs
the belt was contested for between Stephen^Coleman and Emsly
Fouts. Coleman and Fouts were nearly equally matched, and on
several occasions waged desperate war, with varying fortunes, un-
til they held their last great battle, which will never be forgotten
by the pioneers. It was on election-day, in the fall of 1831. For
weeks before it had been understood that they were to fight. On
election-day, accordingly, they met on Union street, in front of
Tyler's Tavern, and, surrounded by an immense crowd of their
respective friends, proceeded to settle their difficulty. The fight
was fierce, long, and bloody. Coleman, it was claimed, struck
Fouts before he was entirely divested of his coat, and by this means
began with the advantage in his favor, which advantage he was
able to maintain until Fouts, after a gallant struggle, was forced
to yield. Coleman's friends raised him on their shoulders, and
marched with him a triumphal march to the Public Square and
back.
Fouts was defeated,"but/as he believed, notTairly, and he de-
termined to renew the contest ori^another occasion. This was
also understood, and the final struggle was looked forward to by
the settlers with even more expectantjnterest^than^the first. Ac-
cordingly, a few weeks later, one Saturday, Fouts came to town
for the purpose of meeting Coleman. He stopped at Dickey
Johnson's, where he left his coat and put himself in fighting trim.
Johnson accompanied*him to'town and acted as his friend and
second. Fouts soon met Coleman, and informedHiim thatMie had
22 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
come to town expressly to settle their little trouble. Coleraan
began to draw his leather coat, but before it was off Fonts took
the same advantage Coleman had taken in the previous fight, and
struck him. This advantage was all he desired, and vigorously
did he follow it up. Coleman was not easily handled, however,
and soon was stripped and in fighting trim. The fight was a
desperate one, and it was soon Apparent that neither would ac-
knowledge defeat. Fouts, however, had so well followed up his
advantage that Coleman's friends parted them, and ever after
neither could be induced to attack the other.
Foot-racing, jumping and wrestling were also indulged in on
Saturdays, and among the pioneers were men of fleet foot, strong
arm, and sinewy limb. John Anderson, a saddler who worked
for Bryant L. Cook, was credited with the fleetest foot prior and
up to the storm in 1835; while Alexander Gumming, a brother-in-
law of Jacob Weaver, was said to excel all others in jumping.
In 1830 and the immediately succeeding years John Scurlock
and Abram Putman were the champion runners, and Putman the
champion jumper. Occasionally the sport would be varied by a
horse-race, while whisky and jokes were freely indulged in. Some
of these pioneers were rare old jokers, too. The point of their
joke would some times rub a raw place in their victim, but for that
so much the better.
There was running through this pioneer life, too, a deep, rich
vein of religious sentiment. The pioneer preachers were no car-
pet knights, but men who preached from a stern sense of religious
duty. They were not deterred from filling their appointments by
wind or weather, but swam rivers, faced northers, and passed
through the perils of the wilderness, to carry the glad tidings of
the gospel to the frontiersmen. Peter Cartwright, Father
Somers, Woolescroft, John M. Ellis, Jno. G. Bergen, Jesse Will-
iams, Ozias Halej Jno. Clark, and their colaborers, were some
of them, perhaps, not eloquent but all devoted, true, worthy
men men who preached a pure religion; for there was a religion
in the olden time, a religion plain, unostentatious and simple, but
earnest, pure and undefiled. Plain men and plain women met
together, not for display, not for frivolous discourse, but for the
worship of the one Living God, whose handiwork they recognized
in the forests and prairies, and whose watchful care they felt
around them every day, in preserving them from the savage, and
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 23
'from the innumerable dangers to which their pioneer life was sub-
ject. They met, not in turreted church, with stained-glass win-
dows, to seat themselves on cushioned seats, and listen to hired
musicians, who torture elegant organs by singing the words of
religion to the music of the opera and the ball-room. They met
iri the settler's cabin, coming on foot, or horseback or in rude ox-
carts to the place of worship. They came, not dressed in velvets,
not loaded with panniers and false hair; but plain women in moc-
casins, or cowhide brogans, wearing modest three-cornered hand-
kerchiefs over plain linsey or homespun checked cotton gowns,
their hair, as God caused it to grow, unadorned, combed Out
smooth and glossy, and hidden from view by the primitive Meth-
odist bonnet, or the modest sun-bonnet, as our mothers wore it.
The men came, not kid-gloved bewhiskered dandies in tights, and
boots that were a size too small for their feet, and walking with a
gait as ungraceful as disgusting; but clad in linsey-woolsey hunt-
ing-shirt, with home-braided straw hat or coon-skin cap, with their
plain white home-made cotton shirt, whose wide collar was turned
down over the " wammus " or hunting-shirt. They came with a
firm, free step, in their moccasins or brogans, a long, graceful
step that told of strength and activity.
They met in some log school-house, or in the one room of some
pioneer log-cabin! Outside the door were seats for the men
logs laid lengthwise and boards or puncheons stretching across
them. The yard fence was also used for seats, and no one com-
plained at the length of the exercise either, even if compelled for
two hours to perch upon the sharp edge of an oak rail during the
service.
The people have assembled. The women occupy the inside of
the cabin; the men are scattered around without, awaiting the
coming of the man of God. The set time has come has been
passed an hour, and the minister has not appeared. There is no
impatience, however, no murmuring. They know that the good
man has a long and weary ride this morning. He preached yes-
terday at Ross's Ferry, perhaps, or Fort Clark, and the streams
are high, and the roads bad. He will come no fear of disap-
pointment and what is an hour or two ? Presently there is a
movement among the young men who have strayed to some little
distance from the cabin; they begin to. move up toward the door,
and select their seats. Old men rise up from the fence-corners,
24 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
where they have been squatting in groups, talking over the latest
Indian news, and look down the road where the minister is ex-
pected to appear. Yes, there he comes, the primitive man of
God ; clad in sheep's-gray pants, and round-breasted blue or brown
jeans coat, with its stiff, straight collar, over which appears his
white shirt-collar, guiltless of starch or gloss ; and all surmounted
by the white fur, low-crowned hat, with its wide brim.
And now all is still. The hum of voices, which had been in-
cessant before, is hushed. The old men meet the preacher, and
in low tones ask after his health ; if he had much trouble in cross-
ing the creek, and how he found the roads. He answers their
questions with few words and passes in, shaking hands with some
of the older mothers in Israel, as he hangs his hat on a projecting
pin, and takes out from his capacious coat-tail pockets his well-
worn bible and hymn-book. Taking his stand in the open door-
way, he gravely reads, or rather recites, that old hymn
"Come, let us anew our journey pursue."
It is sung by every man and woman present, sung with voices
clear and loud. No operatic quavers, no voluntary, no preten-
sion. The voices are all blending in a harmony born of devo-
tion, and which goes up a pure offering of praise to the throne of
the Most High. It is a music that conies from hearts all attuned
to praise, and finds its way through the open gates of heaven to
the great white throne. With music such as this is heaven
wooed, and heaven won.
As the last notes die away, the good man folds his hands and
prays. The prayer is simple, plain, and as of one who approach-
es the vestibule of Omnipotence, in its solemnity ; and as unfal-
tering in its trust as the pleading of a child with the father who
it knows will stoop to listen. It bears up the burdens of the peo-
ple ; it lays before the throne the wants of every stricken soul.
It must be heard if the heavens be not of brass. The prayer is
closed, and again the voice of song is heard. This time it is that
grand old hymn
" Oh, when shall I_see Jesus,
And dwell with him above ? "
The good minister~~selects^ a ^chapter, as the last verse of this
hymn is sung, and now he reads it; reads, not with the actor's
trilling rs and guttural tones ; but in a plain, earnest and solemn
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 25
voice, he reads a chapter wonderfully appropriate to the condition
of his congregation.
The sermon is not an elegant production of finished oratory.
It may be disconnected ; it may be ungrammatical, and lacking
whitened polish ; but it is plain, simple, direct. It came from the
heart it will reach the heart, and it is listened to with an atten-
tion never given to the polished oratory that delights in ornate
chancels as its birth-place, and silk and broadcloth listeners.
The sermon ends; the doxology and benediction have been
spoken ; all gather around the good minister, eager to press his
hand attentive to listen, willing to treasure up the words of ex-
hortation, of reproof, or of warning, which fall from his lips.
This was the pioneer worship a pure and godly worship ; a
worship more pure, more likely to find favor in the sight of God,
than the religion that displays itself in turreted and cushioned
edifices born of pride, but labeled for the worship of God, that
have succeeded the old log school-houses of fifty years ago.
Those were the days of Christianity. I fear we are now living
in the days of churchianity.
A CALL TO PREACH.
Jesse Williams and Peter Cartwright were among the earliest
preachers who preached in Canton. John M. Ellis was, however,
not much, if at all, behind them in paying attention to this field.
There were in the vicinity a good number of Ironside Baptists,
who organized a church of their faith in the Eveland neighborhood
at quite an* early day probably before, certainly not later than,
1825.
James Tatum, one of their pioneer preachers, used to edify his
hearers by relating his call to preach, " in the words and figures
that follow, to-wit : "
"My dearly-beloved brethering-ah and sisters-ah, my blessed
master-ah, has called me to dispense with the everlasting gospel-
ah. For one night-ah, in a vision, in a vision of the night-ah, I
dreamed -ah that I had swallowed a stiff-tongued four-horse wagon-
ah, and me thought-ah, that the tongue of the wagon-ah was
a stickin' out of my mouth-ah, and the chains were a hanging
down beside my chin- ah, and the chains were a rattlin'-ah, and
and the tongue was a waggin'-ah, and my beloved brethering-ah
and sisters-ah, I knowed that God had called me to preach
4
26 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
his everlasting gospel-ah, and I 'm agoin' for to preach it-ah, until
the day that I die-ah."
The same preacher exemplified the doctrine of " once in grace,
always in grace," in this wise :
" My dear brethering and sisters-ah, when a soul is once con-
verted-ah, it allers stays converted-ah. It 's jist like me the other
day-ah, I was a goin' to Canton-ah, and as I rid past old Mr.
Eggers-ah, old sister Eggers run out-ah, and she hollered, ' Broth-
. er Tatum-ah, won't you take a coon-skin to town-ah, and sell it
and buy me a plug of smokin' terbacker-ah?' And I said sartin,
sister Eggers-ah; and so I took the coon-skin-ah, and when I got
to town I tried to sell it to Joel Wright- ah, but he said coon-skins
wer n't of much account now-ah, and he would n't buy it-ah, so I
took it to Mr. Stillman-ah, and he would n't buy neither-ah, then
I tried to give it to Mr. Stillman-ah, and he would n't have it-ah,
and then I took it back to Joel Wright-ah, and I tried to give it
to him-ah, but he would n't have it neither-ah. So I bought sis-
ter Eggers a plug of terbacker-ah, and I tied the coon-skin to my
saddle-ah, a thinkin' for to lose it-ah, and I started for to go back-
ah, and when I got most back to sister Eggers-ah, I heard some
body behind me a hollerin', 'Mr. Tatum-ah, Mr. Tatum-ah,' and
my brethering and sisters-ah, when I looked back-ah, I seed a
man a comin'ah, with that very coon-skin in his hand-ah, a holler-
in' 'Mr. Tatum-ah, you 've lost your coon-skin-ah.' And so, my
brethering and sisters-ah, it is with religion; you can't sell it-ah,
you can't give it away-ah, and you can't lose it."
'At a Methodist meeting in these early days, Daniel TJlmer, who
had been a very profane man, was at the "mourners' bench," and
was surrounded by the older members, who were praying for him
with primitive zeal and exhorting him to give himself up to the
influence of religion. Daniel at length arose to his feet and began
clapping his hands and shouting at the top of his voice, " Glory
to God ! I 've got religion, I 've got religion, and I do n't care a
G d d n who knows it." He was perfectly serious in his ex-
clamation. The force of habit only was answerable for his re-
ligious profanity.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 27
DAEGO B. JONES,
One of the earliest singing- school teachers of Canton, was a
relative of Deacon Jones. He taught in the old Presbyterian
Church, in about 1837 and 1838. Jones was a most enthusiastic
teacher. He loved his profession, and it was with a zest and rel-
ish unknown to modern music-masters that he stood up before his
class and beat time with both hands, now sounding a note to
show the class how it should be sounded; now, with a querulous,
excited voice, checking some tuneless soul that was making horrid
discord with flats and sharps. Leonard F. Ross and Robert
Sebree laid the foundation for their splendid musical education at
the singing-school of Mr. Jones, as did also most of those young
people who lived in Canton and were musically disposed at that
early period.
The first marriage of a couple residing in Canton was that of
Isaac Garland to Hannah Kinney, which was celebrated by John
Orendorff, Esquire, at his residence east of Canton, on the 3d day
of January, 1827.
Isaac Swan, the proprietor of Canton, was married to Miss
Eli2abeth Addis, by Esquire Orendorff, on the 16th of January,
1828. At this time there was no magistrate and no settled min-
ister in Canton. The marriage ceremony was performed, in the
few weddings that occurred, in most cases by Esquire Orendorff,
who was exceedingly popular as a weaver of the nuptial tie.
The first wedding celebrated in the Village of Canton was cele-
brated by Esquire Joel Wright, on the 20th day of October, 1830,
when he united in wedlock Thomas A. Morse to Miss Harriet C.
Jones, the eldest daughter of Deacon Nathan Jones.
Joel Wright was the first magistrate who resided in Canton.
Mr. Wright's commission bore date January 9th, 1830, and he
was qualified and entered upon the duties of his office May 27th,
1830.
Isaiah Stillman was the next magistrate residing in town. His
commission was dated September 15th, 1831, and he was qualified
September 26th of the same year.
In Orion township, Sands N". Breed was qualified and entered
upon magisterial duties August 30th, 1839, and Parley C. Stearns
September 17th, 1839. Both these gentlemen now, after the lapse
of thirty-one years, are acting magistrates in the City of Canton.
28 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
ISAAC SWAN,
The original proprietor of Canton, was a native of Vermont, but
emigrated with his father to Western New York while that re-
gion was still a wilderness. At the age of about twenty years
he left New York, in company with his brother-in-law Nathan
Jones, and started for the Great West. Making several short tar-
ryings in different parts of Indiana, they finally established them-
selves in St. Clair county, Illinois, about 1818. They remained
there until 1820, when they removed to Montgomery county, and
tarried there until 1824, when they removed to Fulton county,
arriving at the present location of Canton in the spring of that
year. Isaac Swan was a man nearly six feet in hight, splendidly
proportioned, and remarkable even among pioneers for his strength
and activity. His courage was unquestioned, and made him a
valuable acquisition to any new settlement in which his lot was
cast.
Mr. Swan had only such education as could be obtained in the
log school-houses of Erie county, New York, fifty-five and sixty
y eirs ago ; yet he had so far improved his limited opportunities
as to have been considered a man of fair education. He was a
Methodist, an honest man and a good citizen, one whose word
was his bond. He gave to Canton its establishment and almost
all of its early prosperity his enterprise and energy directing
attention to it and bringing in new settlers, who were attracted
by the desire to settle near him, in many cases. He was killed
by the storm in 1835.
As early as 1833, Rafe Dixon, Emsley Fouts and George Smith
owned and operated a small distillery on Duck Creek. This was
a small, old-fashioned copper still, and made pure if not palat-
able whisky from corn. It is related of some of the pioneers
that they would, when in need of their accustomed beverage,
shell a bushel of corn, put it on a horse, mount on top, and ride
to Gabriel Waiting's little band mill on Copperas Creek, get their
grist " cracked," then ride over with it to the Duck-Creek Distil-
lery and wait until it could be turned into " sperrits." They were
some times plagued very much while at the distillery by a fellow
by the name of Garron, who, it was asserted, would drink the
whisky as fast as it ran from the still.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 29
Daniel Babbett, from Scott county, Indiana, came to Fulton
county, and landed at the Cottonwood Grove, three miles south-
west of Canton, on the 8th day of January, 1828. Cotton wood
Grove farm was then owned and occupied by Elias Foster. His
family, consisting of his four sons, Jacob, William, Daniel and
Silas, and two daughters, Cynthia and Christina, were considered
a great acquisition to pioneer society. The daughters soon mar-
ried Cynthia being chosen by John Swegle, and Christina be-
coming the wife of John W. Abbott. Mr. Babbett farmed a por-
tion of the Foster now Barnard farm the first season, selling
his surplus to and purchasing his goods of John Coleman, sen.,
who at that time was the owner of the only stock of goods in
Canton.
Mr. Babbett soon moved nearer Canton, some where east or
northeast of town, and followed his trade, that of a brick and
stone mason.
Mr. Babbett was not a church-member, but was an attendant on
the ministrations of Rev. James Tatum, Rev. Strickland, and other
pioneer preachers. His children were sent to school, during the
winter, to a Mr. Cubbidge, who was teaching in a log out-build-
ing belonging to Col. Barnes. Mr. Babbett boasted, in his life-
time that he had had no occasion for bolts or locks in those early
days, and that crime was unknown.
In 1833, Mr. Babbett moved into Farmington township, where
he was elected magistrate the same year, and was regularly re-
elected up to April, 1847 or 1848.
Silas Babbett, the youngest 'of Daniel's sons, is still a resident
of Fulton county, residing in Farmington township, eight miles
north of Canton. He was elected sheriff of the county in 18G8,
which position he held to the entire satisfaction of the people for
one full term.
STUMP QUARTERS.
The "stump quarter" was one of the pioneer institutions.
Without it many a prairie farm would have gone unfenced for a
long time, many a fire been more scantily supplied with fuel, and
many a " speculator " the better off financially on making sale of
his tract of western land. The "stump quarter" was a conven-
ient tract of land owned by some eastern " land-shark," as the
non-resident owner was dubbed. To tax him inordinately was
30 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
considered good and sound political economy, and to steal the
timber from his lot, if it happened to be wooded, was not looked
upon as an offense. The Morse quarter was one of the first
"stump quarters" contiguous to Canton, and was completely
bared of its timber at quite an early day. The next in course
was what was known as the " Canton quarter," west and north of
the Lewistown Bridge. This furnished fuel for perhaps a dozen
years, and fencing for twice that number of small farms. After
this came the "Rawalt quarter," northeast of town, just north of
what was known to the old settlers as the Jacobs or Shecklar
place. Both these quarters were owned by speculators, and when
the first attack was made, the best citizens of the surrounding
country thought it no moral wrong to swing their axes vigorously
into the timber of the odious " land-shark," while it would have
been difficult to find a pioneer jury who would have rendered a
verdict for stealing timber in such cases.
Ministers as well as congregations would participate in these
attacks, and it is a fact that the old Congregational Church in
Canton was framed from "stump-quarter" timber. A "bee" was
made, church-members and world's people turned out together,
and in one day the timber was felled, much of it scored, hewed
and hauled, and Deacon Jones, Lyman Walker, Cheeny Jones,
and a host of others good, pure-hearted Christian men, against
whom no breath of calumny has ever blown, aided and abetted.
" We settle the country," said they ; " we bear the burden of pio-
neer life; our labors make these lands valuable; and we will make
the non-resident owner pay us for our labor in his behalf, whether
willingly or not." It is true that most of these "stump quarters"
were thin clay land, of but little value except for timber, and
when divested of that were comparatively worthless; still, with
the one argument conscience was stilled and the taking of other
men's property justified. Custom, popular and powerful custom,
made the law and furnished the justification.
BRISK BUSINESS.
Coon-skins were currency up to 1835, and values were frequent-
ly expressed in coon-skins. Whisky was one coon-skin per quart.
Childs & Stillman were selling it at that price, and their store
was a place of resort in consequence. The counter of this store
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 31
was a rude affair, and the front of it not closely jointed : indeed,
there were interstices between the clapboard panels through
which a coon-skin could be readily pulled. One day Jesse Dol-
lar called for a quart of whiskey, and in payment handed over his
coon-skin. The coon-skin was tossed under the counter, and the
whisky drank among the crowd. Dollar had a ramrod in his
hands with a wiping-screw on the end. This he slyly inserted
through the cracks in the front of the counter, and, twisting it
into the fur, drew it out, and with it paid for the second quart,
which was also passed through the admiring crowd. Dollar was
liberal, generous, indeed prodigal, with his one coon-skin, making
it pay for five quarts of whisky in almost that number of minutes.
Childs & Stillman were pleased at their prosperous trade. The
crowd were pleased at the joke, and Dollar was glorious.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
THE original records of this church copies of which are still
preserved are in some respects very full and complete, in others
sadly deficient. It appears that the first organization included all
the Presbyterians at that time (1828) residing in the county, and
had at first no local habitation. The record says :
" This church was formed, the Rev. John M. Ellis presiding,
Sept. 13th, 1828, consisting of the following persons: Nathan
Jones, Samuel Mallory, William Proctor, Robert Grant, Jane
Grant, Matilda Jones, and Elizabeth Jacobs. Samuel Mallory
and Nathan Jones were chosen Elders. Sermon preached on the
occasion by Rev. J. M. Ellis."
Where this and several subsequent meetings were held does
not appear from the record.
On the 14th of the same month, "William Proctor was chosen
Elder, and Samuel Mallory and Wm. Proctor ordained Nathan
Jones having been previously ordained. 1 ' The record says that
on this day the Lord's Supper was administered at Lewistown,
and several baptized, and Nathan Jones the same day appointed
a delegate to the Presbytery.
32 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
"Nov. llth, Rev. Solomon Hardy preached in Canton." Dec.
21st, "The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered in
Canton, by Rev. Horace Smith." "Jan. 1st, 1829, a meeting was
held at the house of Isaac Hulick."
Meetings seem to have been held, during the first few years of
the church's existence, alternately at Canton and Lewistown, and
the church to have been called " The Presbyterian Church of
Fulton County."
The record for July 18th, 1829, is dated at Lewistown Rev.
John G. Bergen, of Sangamon county, presiding at the session.
At the meeting of the Session held July 4th, 1830, the follow-
ing was adopted :
"Believing that the use of ardent spirits is the cause of form-
ing intemperate appetites and habits, and that while it is con-
tinued the evils of intemperance can never be prevented; the
members of this church do agree that we will abstain from the
use of distilled spirits, except as a medicine in case of sickness,
or for external applications ; and that we will not allow the use of
them in our families, and neither give nor sell them to our neigh-
bors or friends, or persons in our employment, and that we will
discountenance the use of them in all suitable ways in the com-
munity."
At this time July 4th, 1830 the following were the names
of all the members of the Presbyterian Church of Fulton County.
Nathan Jones,
Samuel Mallory,
Win. Proctor,
Robert Grant,
Matilda Jones,
Betsy Chase,
Elizabeth Owens,
Parnock Owens,
Alethia Owens,
Ezra Fairchild,
Anna Fairchild,
Thalia Rice,
Benj. H. Miles,
Sarah Beadles, sen.,
Sarah Beadles, jun.,
Thalia Beadles,
Adelia Rice,
Susan Ross,
Thos. E. Dunham,
Sabrina Mallory,
Helen Tyler,
Phebe Nichols,
Sarah Ann Jacobs,
Hannah Jones,
Rebecca Henderson,
Joseph M. Kelso,
Nancy Kelso,
Phebe Gunsaulis,
James McPheters,
Mary McPheters,
Robert McPheters,
Eliza Ann McPheters,
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
33
Henry Belford,
Jane Harris,
Eliza Anderson,
Elizabeth Beadles,
Olivia D. Barnes,
Louisa D. Farnum,
May Waugli,
Elizabeth Westerfield,
Williston Jones,
Elraira Jones,
Electa Fairchild,
Win. K. Nichols,
Asaph Rice,
Abigail Rice,
Hannah Miles,
Juliet Warren,
Erasmus D. Rice,
George R. Rowland,
Jane Grant,
Elizabeth Jones,
Laura Proctor,
Emily Wright,
George Jacobs,
Rowland Burbridge,
Mary Clark,
Christopher Miles,
John J. Culton,
John Huff,
Rhoda Osburn,
Isabel T. Miles,
Roswell C. Jerome,
Amanda Jerome,
Samuel Warnock,
Betsy Harkness,
Polly Bagley,
Peter Westerfield,
Isaac Hulick,
Ruth Ann Hulick,
Sarah R. Rowland,
Mary Clark,
Robt. Taylor,
Dianthy Wright,
Samuel G. Wright,
Eliza M. Wright,
Diana Wright,
Jno. M. Wright,
Jemima Dewey,
Jno. McPheters,
Casey Westerfield,
Archibald Henderson,
Deborah Orbison,
Sally Westerfield,
Maria Jacobs.
Eugenie Madison,
Eighty-six members in all, in the county.
At a meeting held in Lewistown, August 6th, 1831, it was, "af-
ter some deliberation, thought desirable and expedient that Rev.
Messrs. Barnes and Farnum labor the current year in this county " ;
and at the same meeting the following "vote passed": "viz., to
raise by subscription whatever we can in the county, either in
money or produce, for the support of the Gospel"; also, "that
Messrs. Proctor, Jones, Miles, Westerfield, Drs. Rice, jun. and
sen., be a committee to draft a subscription-paper, circulate it,
collect the subscription, and pay over the same to Messrs. Barnes
and Farnum, dividing it between them as, in their judgment, shall
be thought best ; also, said committee shall, in rotation, take care
to inquire into the wants of the families of Rev. Messrs. Barnes
and Farnum, from time to time, and see that they are seasonably
supplied with all the necessaries of life eacli member of the
committee acting in succession one month at a time during the
year."
34 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
Up to this period the Canton portion of the Presbyterian So-
ciety had been assembling for worship at private houses or at the
log school-house on Wood street. They were beginning to be
strong under the care of Romulus Barnes, their pastor, who was
a man of talent and of indomitable energy. They now felt called
upon to build for themselves a house of worship. The "Old
Constitution" of the Presbyterian Church vested the title of all
church property in the Presbyterian General Synod, and this was
the only objection that existed in the minds of the society to pre-
vent them from making an eifort to build. They wanted to con-
trol the property, and were unwilling to intrust it to any body
that was distant from and did not understand them. In Febru-
ary, 1832, a meeting was held of the members of the society, at
which it was determined to make an effort to build, with the ex-
press provision that the church property should be vested, not in
the General Synod, but in the subscribers to the building-fund.
The following is a copy from the record of this subscription :
" We, the undersigned, willing to aid in the support of the Gos-
pel, and feeling the need of a house for the worship of God, do
agree to pay the sums annexed to our several names for the erec-
tion of a house for the said object. Said house shall be built ac-
cording to the directions of the subscribers, and shall be held in
trust (1) for the First Presbyterian Church and denomination in
Canton, according to the direction of the subscribers, when built.
The subscribers shall not be holden to their subscriptions until
the old constitution shall be disposed of.
NAMES. AMOUNTS.
Mr. Arthur Tappan by order (2) $100 00
Mr. John Tillson Hillsborough(3) 50 00
J. Wright 50 00
Ezra Fairchild (in plank) 10 00
Peter Westerfield (in property) 30 00
Samuel Mallory 10 00
Wm. K. Nichols (work) 10 00
Carried forward, $260 00
(') It will be observed that this church was not to belong to the Presby-
terian Church, but to be held in trust for it.
( 2 ) Arthur Tappan was a well-known gentleman of New- York City, noted
for his wealth and liberality.
( 3 ) John Tillson was a large owner of western lands, some of which were
located near Canton.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 35
Brought forward, $260 00
Nathan Jones (work and materials) 50 00 ,
Cash pledged 40 00
Asaph Rice (in plank) 15 00
Romulus Barnes (materials) 10 00
Isaac Hulick (produce) 5 00
George Jacobs (work) 25 00
John Huff (work or lumber) 15 00
Wells Tyler (joiner work) 10 00
Isaiah Stillman 50 00
D. B. Jones (lumber) 10 00
H. LaMasters (produce or labor) 10 00
J. M. Kelso (produce) 10 00
Jos. Anderson (work) 10 00
Finis McCutcheon 5 00
Marvin Tryon (labor) 15 00
John Sempson 3 00
Wm. S. Williams 10 00
Jacob Ellis (lumber) 10 00
James McPheters 25 00
Royal and S. G. Wright (produce or labor) . 40 00
John J. Culton 4 00
Robt. Taylor (hauling) 10 00
Oliver Dewey (labor) 10 00
Milton C. Dewey 6 00
Lyman Ensign 500
Total subscription $663 00
On the 26th of February, a meeting of the subscribers to the
meeting-house was held in the school-house, with Nathan Jones
as chairman and Rev. Romulus Barnes as secretary, and it was
" voted that the old constitution and all the obligations which it
imposes be and hereby is null and void. Yeas, 9; Nays, 2." A.
plan for the new meeting-house was received and read. The sub-
scription-paper was by vote amended in its last clause to read
" according to the direction of the subscribers when built." A
building committee was now selected, consisting of Isaiah Still-
man, Joel Wright, and Dargo B. Jones. It was further voted
that the building committee be authorized to collect the subscrip-
tions, to contract for and superintend the building of a house of
such size and on such a plan as they may think proper.
36 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
This committee went to work, and worked faithfully until they
had the satisfaction of announcing the new church ready for oc-
cupancy.
The Session Record of the Presbyterian Church gives no men-
tion of the building of this house, of its dedication, or first occu-
pancy. It says, under date April 28th, 1833, "Session met at the
house of Elder Jones," while the record of the next meeting of
the session, dated Canton, August llth, 1833, reads, " Session
met at the meeting-house, and was opened by prayer " : so that
it must have been opened for occupancy some time between those
two dates.
"April 7th, 1834, Fulton County Presbyterian Church met,
agreeably to a previous arrangement, and, after meeting was
opened by prayer by Rev. Rob't Stewart, proceeded to elect by
ballot the four following persons to the office of Ruling Elders,
viz., Rob't Taylor, Royal Wright, Asaph Rice, and Peter West-
erfield." There was a session meeting the same day, of which the
record says, "Session met and was opened by prayer present,
Robert Stewart, minister"; from which it appears that Mr. Stew-
art became pastor of the church in March or April, 1834. He
continued as the pastor of the church until after the division,
which occurred in September, 1838. Mr. Stewart was a man of
fine talents, good education, a fair speaker, and one who gave
constant evidence, in his walk and conversation, that he was in-
deed a follower of that Jesus whom he preached. Under his
pastoral care the church waxed strong, until the division between
the Old and New School occurred, and then his example and in-
fluence held two-thirds of the church in the New-School wing,
which he had selected as, in his judgment, the true church.
On the 28th of March, 1835, Samuel G. Wright was set apart
to the office of Ruling Elder. Mr. Ezra Fairchild was also set apart
to the same office at the next meeting, and both continued for a
long period with this church as elders. x
Up to January, 1836, Lewistown and Canton were each in-
cluded in the boundaries of the Fulton County Presbyterian
Church. On the 10th day of January,- 1836, the session met, and
it was " Ordered that the request of the following-named persons
for letters of dismission, in order to form a church at Lewistown,
be granted, viz., to Wm. Proctor, Benj. A. Miles, Jas. Gilson,
Christopher B. Miles, Thalia N. Rice } Juliet E. Warden, Eugenia
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 37
E. Madison, Rhoda Osborne, Isabel T. Miles, Laura Proctor,
Erasmus D. Rice, Asaph Rice, Abigail Rice, and Jane Rice"
fourteen persons in all. At the next meeting of the session this
list was extended by the granting of letters for the same purpose
to Wm. Elliot, jun., Julia Phelps, and Adelia Rice.
At the meeting of the session held June 24th, 1838, Samuel G.
Wright was received into the church, and it was ordered " that
Brother Wright, having been a ruling elder in our church, retain
his office of eldership."
THE CHURCH DIVISION.
The records of both the Old and New School Churches are
exceedingly indefinite in regard to the division of the Presbyte-
rian Church of Canton. It appears that united it had prospered
and become a strong and powerful church. Rer. Robert Stewart
was pastor, and was in sympathy with the New School, as were
all but two of the elders and nearly all the members of the church.
The Old-School record shows only the following entry upon this
subject, under no date. The record says:
" The following preamble and resolution is a record of facts
adopted by the session and members of the Presbyterian Church
in Canton, September, 1838, by unanimous consent:
" 'WHEREAS, Our church has become large, and infected with some of
the prevailing heresies and disorders of the times, which are maintained
and practiced in our midst ; and wJiereas, errors are taught and received
which are at variance with the Bible and our Confession of Faith, and per-
sons are received to membership from other denominations with all their
prejudices alive against our doctrines and order, and without being required
to renounce them ; and wJiereas, these disorders are becoming every day
more glaring and barefaced, and our church as a body has virtually rejected
its own system of doctrines and order ; therefore,
"Resolved, That we, the undersigned, elders and members of this church,
will continue to revere and maintain the doctrines and order of our church
in this place as the Presbyterian Church.'
j James McPheters,
\ Robert Taylor.
Members.
Alex. McPheters, Martha Jane Warnock,
Elizabeth McPheters,
Mary McPheters,
John McPheters,
Win. McPheters,
Mary McPheters,
Samuel Warnock,
Rebecca Henderson,
Julia Kelly,
Joseph M. Kelso,
Nancy Kelso,
Robert C. Culton,
Mary Ann Culton,
Jno. Culton,
Abigail Culton,
Archibald Henderson,
Elizabeth Henderson.
(Signed) JAMES McPHETERS, Clerk."
38 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
This action seems to have consummated the division of the
First Presbyterian Church. . On the one hand was a party, in-
cluding the pastor, Rev. Robert Stewart, with elders Jones, Mai-
lory, R. Wright, Fairchild who afterward went to the other
branch, S. G. Wright, and a large majority of the members; on
the other hand, two of the elders, viz., James McPheters and
Robert Taylor, with nineteen members. Each party claimed to
be the First Presbyterian Church of Canton. Each claimed to
adhere to the original church constitution and articles of faith.
Who were the seceders ? Did the few leave the many ? or, did
the many leave the few ? I choose to believe, from the testimony,
that right here the First Presbyterian Church of Canton ceased
to exist, and that right here was brought into existence the Old-
School Presbyterian Church of Canton and the New-School
Presbyterian since changed into the Congregational Church
of Canton.
If the old First Church continued to exist at all, it must have
been with the majority, who had the officers and the pastor, as
well as the records and rules of faith. And yet, it soon became
evident that the two were widely divergent in doctrine and prac-
tice. One insensibly became Congregational; the other was at
the beginning, and has ever continued, orthodox and rigid Old-
School.
The new Presbyterian organization continued to meet, alter-
nately with the other new organization, at the church. At the
first meeting after the division, held October 28th, 1838, it was
resolved that,
"WHEREAS, The Synod lias constituted the Presbytery of Peoria, and
our church, lying within the bounds of this presbytery, naturally conies
under its care; and whereas, our church is vacant, and needs the dispensa-
tion of the word and ordinances ; therefore,
"Resolved, That we petition the presbytery for supplies at its next meeting."
The minutes of the new church, under date December 29th,
1839, acknowledge in direct terms that they had come out of the
old church, by the following entry : "December 29th, 1839.' The
members of the church convened at the house of Elder James
McPheters, who opened the meeting with prayer. The follow-
ing-named persons, who had still retained their connection with
the New-School Church, signified their desire to be considered
members of this Presbyterian church, viz., Elder Miner Sherwood,
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 39
Rahab Sherwood, Harriet Philinda Sherwood, Ezra Fail-child,
Anna Fairchild, Electa Fairchild." It was also resolved, at this
meeting, to establish a weekly prayer-meeting, and also "to
make every effort to obtain a minister and support the Gospel."
This record was signed by James McPheters, clerk.
The church was supplied on Sabbath, January 15th, 1840, by
Rev. Samuel McCune, of Marshall county. On the 9th of the
following July he was called to the pastorate, and on the 5th of
September was installed, at an annual salary of five hundred
dollars.
Mr. McCune proved a very acceptable pastor, remaining here
until 1850, a period of nearly ten years. Mr. McCune was not a
brilliant man, but eminently pious and thoroughly in sympathy
with the doctrines of his church. He was a close and deep
reasoner, somewhat prosy, but never illogical. His sermons
strengthened and sustained the brethren, but made little impress-
ion on sinners. He may be called the first pastor of the Old-
School Presbyterian Church.
Some time about 1840, the church property was divided ami-
cably between the two churches. The old church edifice went to
the Old-School, and the bell was taken by the New-School party.
The church edifice had become dilapidated. The ground upon
which it stood did not belong to the old First Church ; conse-
quently, the bell was considered fully if not more than an equiva-
lent jbr the church. This building, however, was historical. It
was the first church erected in Canton. It had also been used as
a school-house when, for a considerable period after the old log
school-house had been destroyed, Austin J. Barber, and other
pioneer pedagogues had instructed the youth of Canton. Not-
withstanding its old associations, it was becoming an eyesore to
the citizens, and it was determined to remove it. Accordingly,
in about 1841, a lot was purchased on Elm street, between Third
and Fourth streets, and the old church removed to that location.
It was also at this time remodeled and enlarged, and is still
standing, being now in use by the United Brethren.
In September, 1850, Mr. McCune dissolved his connection with
the church, and there was no regular supply until in December
of the same year, when Rev. Isaac Bennett was invited to the
pastoral care of the church. Mr. Bennett continued in the pas-
toral charge of the church, giving satisfaction to his hearers in
40 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
both doctrines and Christian deportment, until the time of his
death, which occurred on the 16th day of June, 1856, after hav-
ing labored here about four years.
After the death of Mr. Bennett, the church had no regular pas-
tor, but was supplied for short periods by a number of clergy-
men, among whom the first was Rev. Geo. Stebbins, of Rock-
River Presbytery, who remained with the church six months,
dating from the 19th of October, 1856. The next supply was
Rev. J. V. Dodge, who also remained six months, beginning his
ministration May 24th, 1857, and receiving a salary at the rate of
six hundred dollars per annum. Rev. John Cochran was engaged
as the next supply, beginning his ministry here on the 6th day of
November, 1859, and remaining about ten months in charge.
From the fall of 1861 until August, 1863, the church was with-
out a minister, and depended upon the reading of sermons by
some of the elders or leading members.
The church engaged Rev. S. M. Crissman as their supply, and
he began his ministration August 2d, 1863, and remained with
the church here until about the 1st of January, 1865. Rev. C.
Reed succeeded him immediately, and acted as pastor from that
time until in the summer of 1868, when he dissolved his connec-
tion with the congregation. Mr. Reed was succeeded by Rev.
Josiah Moore, a licentiate of Sangamon Presbytery, who was en-
gaged as a " supply " September 4th, 1868. Mr. Moore, being
acceptable to his congregation, was called to the pastoral care of
the church on the 25th of March, 1869. The call was accepted,
and on the meeting of the Presbytery of Peoria, which convened
at French Grove, he was confirmed to the call. The presbytery ad-
journed to, and did meet for his ordination and installation at
the Presbyterian Church at Canton, on the llth of May, 1869.
Mr. Moore still remains in the pastoral care of the church.
In the latter part of the last decade the Presbyterian Society be-
gan to feel the need of a new house of worship. The old church,
which for so many years had done double duty as church and
school-house, on the Public Square ; which had stood so long in
its present location that babes christened within its walls had re-
turned with babes of their own to be christened at the same font;
the church around which so many precious memories clustered,
until every plank in its floor and nail in its door had became sa-
credly enshrined in the hearts of those who for so long a period
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 41
had worshiped there, was becoming too small, too dilapidated,
to longer accommodate the society. They accordingly deter-
mined to build themselves a new church edifice, that should be an
honor to the city as well as to the society.
The church was poor, comparatively ; yet it was full of zeal,
and for it to undertake was to accomplish. Several locations
were proposed, but finally a lot was selected and purchased from
the estate of Lyman Walker, on Jones street, north side, between
Third and Fourth streets. Upon this lot a church edifice was
erected, costing including ground in the neighborhood of
$12,000. The new church was dedicated on the 16th of January,
1870. It is built of brick, with stone trimmings, contains abase-
ment and one story, in which is the hall for worship. The build-
ing was planned by G. P. Randall, of Chicago, and is an exceed-
ingly neat and tasteful edifice, lighted with elegant stained-glass
windows, and built in a style of architecture peculiarly Americajn,
that is distantly copied from the Gothic.
The ladies of the society are entitled to great credit for their
enterprise, in having purchased and paid for the first brick, the
stained glass for the windows, chandeliers, Bible, carpeting,
chairs, instrument, registers, etc. The society is now in a pros-
perous condition, with a fine prospect for continued usefulness.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
As has been stated in the history of the Presbyterian Church,
at the time of the divison four of the elders and a large majority
of the members of the old First Presbyterian^Church^continued
with the pastor in what became the New-School Presbyterian, aud
at a later period the Congregational Church.
It seems to be a fact that, by the division, the old Presbyterian
Church practically ceased to exist, and from its members two new
churches came into existence. Neither of these churches appears
to have reorganized : each took from the old church elders and
members, being all that was required under the discipline to con-
stitute a church. Each, therefore, came into existence with a full
and complete organization; therefore each claimed to be the
original church.
6
42 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
Of the original members who had participated in the organiza-
tion of the church in 1828, all who were living in Canton went
into the New-School party.
The old church had perfected dn organization on the 27th day
of April, 1836, under the laws of the state, as a body corporate,
with the control of its worldly affairs vested in a board of five
trustees. These trustees being the first board elected were
Joel Wright, James W. Willis, Nathan Jones, Oliver Dewey, and
Samuel G. Wright. Robert Stewart was elected pastor, at a
salary of five hundred dollars per annum.
The board of trustees for 1836 were Joel Wright, Nathan
Jones, Peter Westerfield, Charles Kirkpatrick, and Alexander R.
McPheters; and Robert Stewart was again elected pastor.
At the time of the division four out of the five trustees went
with the New-School, one Mr. McPheters with the Old-School
wing.
On the 9th of April, 1838, a subscription paper was written and
circulated, reading as follows :
CANTON, APRIL OTH, 1838.
WE, the undersigned, wishing to relieve the Rev. Robert
Stewart from worldly cares, that he may the more fully devote
his time to the duties of the Gospel ministry in connection with
the First Presbyterian Church in Canton, agree that we will pay,
in yearly installments, the sums fixed to our respective names, to
the trustees in connection with the above-named church and
society.
NAMES. AMOUNTS.
Charles Kirkpatrick $20.00
Nathan Jones 50.00
Daniel W. Vittum 20.00
Isaac P. Taylor 12.00
Franklin P. Offield 10.50
B. G. Roe 9.50
Lyman Walker 15.00
Mary Ross 10.00
Thomas J. Little 10.00
Ezra Fairchild 10.00
Oliver Dewey 10.00
Carried forward, $177 00
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 43
Brought forward, $177 00
Timothy Norris 5.00
Orville Jones 2.00
John Whitten 10.00
Wells Tyler 2.00
William Stevens 3.00
L. H. Sovreign 2.00
Jason M. Bass, sen 10.00
Samuel Mallory 2.00
Cheney Jones 3.00
Mariah Ropes 1.00
Joel W. Wright 20.00
J. W. Newel 7.00
L. Bidamon 10.00
Joel Coykendall 15.00
Elias Peck '. 15.00
Chester Williams 15.00
J. G. Patterson 6.00
Benjamin Chase 1.00
Loring Ames 6.00
Truman Jones 5.00
Minor Sherwood 10.00
Wm. Nichols (paid) 10.00
Total .$337.00
At the annual meeting of the church for the year 1838, held in
April, Isaac P. Taylor, John M. Wright, Franklin P. Offield and
Joel Coykendall were elected trustees. These trustees were
elected in the spring of 1838, before the division, and all of them
cast their lot with the New-School wing. Both wings held on to
the " Say brook Platform " as their rules of faith.
On the llth of January, 1841, C. Kirkpatrick, J. R. Walter,
Joel Wright, Nathan Jones, Oliver Dewey and John Whitten
were appointed a committee to draft a plan for the reorganization
of the church. On the 27th of March the committee reported a
"Plan of organization, which was received, read and amended."
On the 6th of April a blank was filled in the proposed constitu-
tion with the name of the " New-School Presbyterian Church,"
and the constitution so amended was adopted. Thus came into
being the New-School Presbyterian Church, three full years after
the division.
44 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
During the pendency of this question of reorganization, at the
meeting held on the' 8th of March, the trustees, by vote, were "in-
structed to use their own discretion in regard to the property now
owned by the two Presbyterian Churches of Canton." And at the
meeting held April 5th, " On motion, [it was] voted that the papers
relating to the building of the old meeting-house be delivered up
to the trustees of the Old-School Presbyterian Church, and that
a receipt be taken for the same." This action indicates the ami-
cable arrangement entered into between the two organizations, by
which the property of the old First Presbyterian Church was
divided.
At the meeting of April 6th, a motion prevailed that "the rules
for the regulation of this church be adopted, with the addition of
the following, viz., that the pastor shall be a minister in good and
regular standing in some ecclesiastical body which does not hold
doctrines contrary to the 6th article of the constitution of this
church." It will be observed that under this rule a minister
might be called from either the New-School or Congregational
Church to the pastoral care of this church. This rule remained
in force after the second reorganization, and after the church had
become Congregational; and it is a fact that, from the time Mr.
Stewart dissolved his connection with the church until the present
minister, Rev. Henry Bates, took the pastoral charge, all the
ministers were New-School Presbyterian, while the church was
Congregational.
Rev. Robert Stewart dissolved his connection with the church.
The church remained without a pastor until in about Septem-
ber, 1841, when Rev. L. Spencer was engaged to supply the pul-
pit until the following April. He gave so good satisfaction during
that period that he was engaged as pastor, and installed accord-
ingly, some time in April, 1842.
On the 29th day of January, 1842, "After some conversation,
a motion was made and carried that a committee be appointed to
draft a constitution for organizing a Congregational Church."
On the 4th of February, 1842, this committee, at a regular church
meeting, reported a constitution. Their report was adopted, and
the compend formerly used by the First Presbyterian Church of
Canton appended to the new constitution. Thus the church had
within four years been Presbyterian, New-School Presbyterian,
and Congregational ; yet through it all had retained precisely the
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 45
same compendium of religious faith. The change was only in
name and form of government, and not in religious opinion. The
Articles of Faith and Covenant were the same as adopted by the
Schuyler Presbytery in 1837, and recommended to the churches
under its care.
At one of the church meetings held in 1841, the doctrine of
female suffrage, so far as the church was concerned, received an in-
dorsement by the passage of the following motion :
"Resolved, That the female members of this church over eighteen years of
age have the privilege of voting at the meetings of this church, and that
there is equal responsibility resting upon them in regard to the spiritual in-
terests of the church."
At the meeting held April 6th, 1841, it was decided to build a
meeting-house as soon as possible, and Nathan Jones and Charles
Kirkpatrick were appointed a committee to secure subscriptions
for that purpose.
One year after deciding to build the meeting-house, viz., April
4th, 1842, the trustees reported what they had done toward the
building of the new church. The house was up and inclosed,
but not finished.
In the winter of 1842-'3, there was some feeling in the church
in regard to statements made by persons outside of the organiza-
tion that the timber for the new church had been obtained on a
" stump quarter." Previous to this time it had never been gen-
erally looked upon as sinful to obtain timber from the " stump
quarters " : every body had done so, and had concocted a certain
specious mode of reasoning by which they had justified them-
selves and each other. There had been several churches and
school-houses in the county built with this stolen timber, and no
one had objected; but now the county was filling up with new
settlers from the older states, who could not appreciate the soph-
ism of the argument that every stick of timber cut from a " stump
quarter" added to its value, by developing the country and fenc-
ing and improving contiguous lands.
The church now felt called upon to take some action in regard
to this question. Accordingly, at a meeting held on the 16th of
February, 1843, the following resolutions were adopted, after some
discussion :
"Resolved, That this church consider the practice of IwoTcing timber to be
a sin, and if persisted in should subject the offender to church discipliae.
46 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
"Resolved, That the practice of buying stolen timber (knowing it to be
stolen) is encouraging theft and participating in the sin, and should subject
the offender to the same censure."
These resolutions had a good effect. It is true that the old
pioneers of the congregation would never consider " hooking tim-
ber" a very heinous sin; but the new-comers and younger mem-
bers were so far influenced by it that they were not likely to fall
into the practice.
Rev. L. Spencer, who had been called to the pastoral charge in
the early part of 1842, severed his connection with the church in
the spring of 1844, after remaining two years. Mr. Spencer was
the second pastor of the New-School now Congregational
Church, and filled the office very acceptably.
In April, 1845, the trustees of the church were instructed, at
the annual meeting, to "ascertain the cost of finishing the church
in a good and substantial manner"; that they obtain subscrip-
tions from persons outside of the church, and assess the deficit
among the members. This action resulted in the completion of
the Congregational Meeting-House the trustees reporting on
the Cth of January, 1846, that the church was now finished, at a
cost of about $3000. This building was situated on the south
side of Elm street, west of the Public Square, between Main and
Wood streets, and is now owned and occupied by the Lutheran
Church.
The church had been without a regular pastor from the time of
Mr. Spencer's leaving until the winter of 1845 -'6 when Rev.
Williston Jones, a son of Deacon Nathan Jones, was called to
the pastoral care. Mr. Jones was a New- School Presbyterian, a
man of fine education, and an earnest, devoted Christian. He
had been educated expressly for the ministry, and his good
old father had been looking forward for years to see his only son
installed as pastor of his own church. It was indeed, then, a
gratification to him to see "Williston selected as pastor, and in this
gratification the church, who were devotedly attached to the dea-
con, participated.
In 1848, January 1st, the following-named persons were dis-
missed from the church, for the purpose of being organized into
a church at Independence, in Putman township, viz., Deacon
Samuel Mallory and wife, Wm. Nichols and wife, Mrs. Mary
Bagley, Miss Eveline Bagley, and Mrs. Esther Nichols.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 47
RESOLUTIONS ON SLAVERY.
. In 1848, the question of Slavery, which had so long been agi-
tating the country, received a formal recognition from the Con-
gregational Society of Canton. At the annual meeting, held
April 4th, the following resolutions were adopted, nearly all of
them by a unanimous vote:
1. That slavery, the holding and using of men as property, is a palpable* and
gross violation of the moral law and Golden Rule, and as such is wrong is
Sin; and is one of the greatest curses that can befall any people.
2. That we deplore its existence in our beloved country ; and hold it to
be the bounden duty of this people, since wrong should be rectified, to do
away with slavery from our country, at the earliest practical period: our
duty to the enslaved and our duty to ourselves as a Nation imperiously de-
mands it.
3. That while the guilt of slavery must rest chiefly on those states that up-
hold it, and on those individuals who practice it ; yet slavery is also a national
sin, being tolerated and protected by our national compact ; and, as such, the
guilt of it rests upon the nation, and upon all the component elements of the
nation : upon all the states, and upon every individual of them all : unless
they do all they can to remove it.
4. That we as individuals, and as a community, being a part of these United
States, a portion of that guilt rests upon us in common with others, unless we
free our skirts. With that endeavor, and in utter detestation of slavery itself,
we do most solemnly and earnestly protest against it, as wrong as sin against
God, and deserving his just displeasure.
5. That we sincerely sympathize with those living in slave states, and
owning slaves, who, when they would free themselves from the sin of slave-
ry, find a pressure of circumstances surrounding them which well-nigh ab-
solutely forbids their freeing their slaves in any practicable way.
6. That our National Constitution gives to the several states in which
slavery exists the exclusive legal right to regulate their internal affairs; and
the abolition of slavery must therefore be the act of the several states in
which slavery exists; and, of course, we in ihefree states can not interfere
with it, in any other way than by withdraicing, as far as may be, the nation-
al protection and sanction, and by the moral power of truth by speaking
out our views in regard to its enormity, and bearing our testimony against it.
7. That the law of love and the Golden Rule make it our bounden duty to
warn our brother of his sins, and that neglect to do so would make us par-
takers of his guilt ; and hence we can not be silent without incurring guilt
ourselves, and must utter our testimony, as we now do, against this great
national and individual sin.
These resolutions were expressive of the opinions of a large
majority of the communicants of the church, although a few were
displeased with them, but did not openly protest.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
In the winter of 1848 -'9, Rev. Williston Jones, after having
been pastor two years, resigned the pastoral charge. Mr. Jones
was the third pastor of the church, and left with the friendship
of his congregation. He was by no means an eloquent man, but
was sincere, and won the respect of all by his upright life.
Immediately after Mr. Jones's resignation, a proposition was
received from the Old-School Presbyterian Session that,
"WHEREAS, The asperities of former times between the Presbyterian
Church in Canton and what is known as the Congregational Church are at
the present time greatly abated ; and ichereas, under circuin -
stances like these, the great cause of truth and godliness might be better
subserve by the united cooperation and influence of both societies ; . . .
"Resolved, by the Session of the Presbyterian Church, that this body will
hold itself in readiness to confer with a committee of deacons or members
appointed by the Congregational Church, respecting the propriety and prac-
ticability of a union of the two churches."
This resolution, evidently prompted by a Christian spirit, re-
sulted in the appointment of a committee to confer Avith a like
committee from the Presbyterian Church. This committee con-
sisted of Deacon John M. Wright, John W. Ingersoll, and Dea-
con Charles Kirkpatrick. This committee appear never to have
made a report: at least, the church records show 110 further men-
tion of the subject.
The church being without a pastor, Rev. Mr. Hubbard was in-
vited to labor with the church for a time, and did so for a short
period.
On the 21st of July, 1849, the church formed a short time be-
fore at Independence presented itself in a body and was merged
into the Canton church, from which it had been formed.
On the 19th of January, 1850, the church extended a unani-
mous call to Rev. E. Marsh, a New-School Presbyterian minister,
to the pastoral charge. Rev. Edward Marsh was thus made the
fourth pastor of the Congregational Church. He was a gentle-
man of culture, kind and genial in his character, and a fail-
speaker. He filled the office very acceptably to the church and
congregation, until in August, 1865 a period of fifteen years.
During his administration the church continued to increase in
numbers and influence. He left Canton with the general good-
will of the community, as well as of the membership of his church
and congregation.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 49
On the 2d of January, 1866, the committee on ministerial sup-
ply announced that they had secured the services of Rev. Henry
Mills for an indefinite period. Mr. Mills, however, declined to
take the pastorate, but consented to remain until the new church
could be finished. Mr. Mills was a gentleman of more than
average ability, an eloquent pulpit orator, and it is to be regretted
that he was not willing to remain in charge of the church.
During Mr. Mills's stay, the present Congregational house of
worship was completed, at a cost of $18,000. It is not exaggera-
tion to say that to Mr. Mills is due very much of the credit for
the early and successful completion of the church edifice. It is
situated on the east side of Fourth street, between Union and
Illinois streets, and in point of architecture is not surpassed by
any church edifice in the city. It was dedicated to the service
of Almighty God on Tuesday, the 15th day of January Rev.
Edward Beecher, of Galesburg, a brother of Henry Ward
Beecher, delivering the Dedicatory Sermon.
Rev. Edward Bates, the present pastor of the church and its
first Congregational pastor, was called to and accepted the posi-
tion of pulpit supply with the pastorate in view, on the first Sab-
bath in January, 1867, at a permanent salary of $1,250 per an-
num. Mr. Bates was from Grass Lake, Michigan. He is a plain,
unostentatious man, a fair pulpit orator, a gentleman of culture,
deep, earnest piety, and eminently adapted to the discharge of the
delicate duties of the pastoral office. He has continued from the
first to grow into the affections of his congregation, until he is now
endeared to them as a pastor, a friend, and a counselor, to an ex-
tent that secures for him great opportunities for usefulness. Mr.
Bates was, by vote of the church, on the 15th of August, 1867,
elected and installed pastor.
This church has been blessed, from its organization, with a con-
tinued prosperity. Constant accessions have been made to its
membership, until at present it is one of the leading church or-
ganizations in the city. The present membership is 130 resident
and a large list of non-resident members.
50 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
JOSHUA TOWNSHIP.
TUB first settler in Joshua township was Joshua Moores, who
immigrated to Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1819, and to Fulton
county in 1824. Mr. Moores settled on the place well known as
the Moores farm, west of Canton five miles. Mr. Moores was ac-
companied by his son-in-law John "Walters, who was killed at
Stillman's defeat in 1832. Mr. Moores was a Methodist, and at
his house were held many of the earliest Methodist meetings.
Here, surrounded by a few of the pioneers, David W. Barnes, the
Sergeants, the Buffums, John Hannan and his family, old Father
Fraker, John Owens, Jacob Ellis, and a few others, Rev. Ran-
dall, Smith L. Robinson (the one-eyed preacher) and Peter Cart-
wright would preach sermons full of primitive fire and religious
zeal. At his house were held the class-meetings and love-feasts,
and here were held the merry-makings wherein those present had
rarer sport than is known to the silk and velvet gentry of the
present fast age.
Joshua Moores gave his name to the township in which he re-
sided, and died in 1853.
John Walters left a widow and four children, who still survive
him. Jennie Walters will be remembered by all the old settlers
as a devoted Methodist, a warm-hearted, impulsive woman, a
strong Democrat, and a good neighbor. The author desires
'here to express his obligation to her for valuable information fur-
nished for this work. Mrs. Walters now resides in Rushville,
Illinois.
THE PUBLIC SQUARE.
THE Public Square formed a portion of Nathan Jones's First
Addition to the Town of Canton. It was proposed originally to
give to the public for a public square one whole block, extending
from Main to Prairie street east and west, and from Union to Elm
street north and south. This proposition,however, from some un-
known cause, Avas not carried into effect, and when the survey
was made the Public Square was limited to one-half its present
area, extending from Union street south to the alley which divides
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 51
the block. The two lots south of the alley were given as a dona-
tion to the Presbyterian house of worship which was erected up-
on one of them. It was not until in about 1841, after the removal
of the church from the Public Square, that Deacon Jones who
had not previously deeded the lots, although intending so to do,
by an arrangement between the two branches of the Presbyterian
Church after the separation, deeded the lots in question, thereby
making the square its present size. The deed to these lots was
not immediately put upon the records, and as a result of this neg-
lect they were assessed and sold for taxes, and purchased by
Ahira Saunders. Mr. Saunders undertook, in about 1842, to ob-
tain possession, but was met by the deacon's deed to the public,
and, as public property was not taxable, his speculation failed.
Prior to 1830 the business of the town, as well as most of the
residences, were on "Wood street; and in that year, when Joel
Wright and Childs & Stillman commenced business, they located
their stores on that street. In about 1830 the first building was
erected on the Square : it was a log house, built by Richard
Stevens, a brother-in-law of Isaac Swan, and was about where
Mansfield's brick store-house now stands, on the south side.
In 1832 Joseph Anderson built a cabin on the lot now occupied
by Ingersoll's store on the west side. Mr. Anderson moved into
this house to be near the Fort at Esquire Wright's, during the
Black-Hawk War.
In 1833 Louis Bidamon erected the first frame house on the
Square. This house was a very low one-story house, long and
narrow, and stood about where the house of Mrs. Graham now
stands on the east side.
In 1834 Messrs. Tryon & McCutcheon built and occupied the
first store-house on the Square. This was a frame building, and
a part of it is still standing, on the west side, near the original
location, and is occupied by Chauncey Webster as a grocery
store. Messrs. Tryon & McCutcheon sold out, a few years later,
to Messrs. Markley & Solomon. The property afterward passed
into the hands of Dr. J. R. Walter, who remodeled it and occu-
pied it as a residence for many years.
Messrs. Tryon & McCutcheon sold out to Messrs. Markley &
Solomon in May, 1$3G. The Mr. Solomon of this firm was the
well-known to old settlers Joel Solomon, for many years cir-
cuit clerk of the county. Pie now resides in Mills county, Iowa.
52 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
Judge David Markley was the senior partner. In November,
1836, Mr. Markley purchased Mr. Solomon's interest in this store,
and became sole proprietor, continuing in business until 1839.
Mr. Markley was a man eminently fitted for pioneer life. A
large, powerful man, a wit, and at the same time a man of sound
judgment, he soon became prominent among the pioneers.
He had filled the offices of county judge in Champaign county,
Ohio, and of colonel of a regiment in the War of 1812, previous
to his emigration, and was very soon after his immigration identi-
fied with the public interests of the people with whom he had
cast his lot. In 1838, two years after his settlement in the county,
he was elected to fill a vacancy in the State Senate, caused by the
resignation of Judge Hackleton,'and was twice reolected, making
his term of service ten full years. In 1847 he was elected a
member of the Convention to form a new Constitution for the State
of Illinois, and was one of its most influential members. About
the same time Governor Ford appointed him a member of the
Board of Canal Commissioners. While acting in this capacity,
he selected the lands granted by the United States Government
to the state in aid of this enterprise. In 1844 Judge Markley re-
moved from Canton to Banner township, near Monterey, where
he remained until 1856, when he again removed to Nebraska;
but, not satisfied with that territory, he soon returned, and settled
in Stark county, near Rochester in Peoria county. He still re-
sides in the same neighborhood, although at present in Peoria
county. Mr. Markley now, at 80 years, still preserves his mental
vigor.
In about 1836 Messrs. Brooks & Cogswell opened a,store on
the Public Square, in a long frame building which stood on the
east half of the lot now occupied by Bell's block. They con-
tinued in business until about 1839.
In the fall of 1835 Jno. C. Willis erected a frame building for
hotel purposes on the Public Square, on the lot immediately south
of the lot now occupied by the Graham building, on the west side.
This hotel was rented to a Mr. Williamson and David Russell,
who run it a short time and then gave place to Frederick
Mennert, who, in his turn, was succeeded by Hugh R. Smith.
Mr. Smith's successor was David Collins. Ih about 1841 Thos.
Wills took the house, and remained its proprietor until about
1853 or '4.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 53
In 1836 Messrs. Steel & Ballard occupied one of the ground-
floor rooms of this house as a store-room. Mr. Steel was the son-
in-law of Ossian M. Ross. He came in 1836, and remained a
resident of Canton until his death, which occurred very suddenly
in 18 . His widow, a very estimable lady, still resides in the
city.
In 1836 Messrs. Shinn & Vittum erected a store-house on the
southwest corner of the Public Square, as a business house. This
store was occupied by Mr. Shinn up to the time of his death.
The first brick store-room on the Public Square was erected by
Mr. John Blackadore, in 1845. It was on the south side, on the
lot he now occupies. This was an old-fashioned brick, two stories
high, and was burned in 1865.
In 1848 Mr. S. Smith built the second brick on the Square, on
the lot east of Mr. Blackadore's building. This building was
afterward purchased by the Messrs. Babcock, and was known as
the "Regulator." It was burned in 1865, in the same fire that
destroyed Mr. Blackadore's building.
_' The same season, T. Maple erected the first three-story brick
block in the city, on the southeast corner of the Public Square.
It is the building now known as Odd-Fellows' Block. In this
building were the first box window-frames ever put into a build-
ing in Canton. The fall of the same season Mr. Jno. G. Graham
and A. II. White each erected three-story business houses
White the building now occupied by D. A. Bell, and Graham
that occupied by Mr. Gleason. Mr. White disposed of his build-
ing by lottery in 1856.
In 1838 a Mr. Squires built a house on the northeast corner of
the Square, and established a grocery-store. This establishment
did not run long before Squires sold out to Jones & Weeks, who
turned it into a dry-goods store. Jones was either a Spaniard 01?
Portuguese, and, from his complexion, was known as "Black
Jones." He spoke several foreign languages, and was quite a
shrewd man, but not suspected of honesty to any great extent.
54 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
THE Baptist Society now worshiping at Canton was organized
at the house of Wm. Spencer, in Banner township, about three
miles east of Canton, and recognized as a regular Baptist church
by a council that convened at the residence of Father Spencer on
the 14th day of June, A.D. 1833. The council proceedings a^e
signed by Elder John Logan, President, and Elder Ga'rdner
Bartlett.
The names of the constituent members of this society, as ap-
pended to their articles of organization, were Elder John Clark,
Anna Clark, B^etsey Breed, Roxanna West, Wm. Spencer,
Rachel Spencer, Nathan West. The name adopted by the so-
ciety was, "The United Baptist Church of Deer Creek."
The first regular church-meeting after the organization was
held at the residence of Father Spencer, on the 13th of July,
1833. Elder John Clark was chosen moderator pro tern. Ozias
Hale was received into fellowship by letter, and presented a
license as a regular ordained preacher of the Gospel, and the
church ordered that he be licensed to preach by this church.
On the 26th of October the church appointed Brother John
Clark to bear-a letter to Schuyler county to meet a convention to
form an association. In the same year Ira Mills afterward
known as the Hermit of Utica Hill was received into the
" watch-care of the church."
January 25th, 1824, the church met for business at the residence
of Father Spencer, and gave a license to Nathan West to preach.
On the 26th of July Rev. Ira Mills withdrew from the watch-
care of the church, and at the same meeting messengers and a letter
were sent by the church to Salem Association, with power to at-
tach the church to that association. Ozias Hale and Nathan West
were the messengers.
On the 27th of September Nathan West was ordained as an
Elder in the Baptist Church, and was the first minister ordained
by this church. The ordination sermon was preached by Elder
Jacob Bowers, the ordaining prayer, offered by Elder G. Bartlett,
the charge given by Elder John Logan, the right hand of fellow-
ship by Elder John Clark, and the concluding prayer offered by
Rev. Ozias Hale.
CANTON: rrs PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 55
The first person received into the church by baptism was Mrs.
Eunice Hale, who was baptized on Sabbath, March 2d, 1835.
The meetings of the church continued to be held at Father
Spencer's until it was resolved to change the place of meeting to
Canton; and the church-meeting convened on the last Saturday
in December of that year at the residence of Nathan West in
Canton. At this time, while the church numbered in its mem-
bership Rev. John Clark, Rev. N. West, and Rev. O. Hale, it was
still without a pastor; and therefore, on the 9th of April, 1837,
Elders Clark, Logan and Miner were invited to preach for the
society as often as convenient.
The membership at this time amounted to only 17 persons.
The church was at this time connected with the Salem Associa-
tion, and in July of that year (1837) voted to assume the name
of the "Regular Baptist Church of Canton." In September of
the same year the church removed its connection from the Salem
Association to the Illinois-River Association, which convened in
Peoria. During the latter part of 1837 and a portion of 1838 the
meetings of the church were held in the Methodist Chapel in
Canton, which had extended to them that courtesy.
Early in 1838 Rev. Gideon B. Perry, LL.D., removed to Can-
ton from Hopkinton, Rhode Island, and assumed the pastoral care
of the church, being its first regular pastor. The acquisition of
Dr. Perry infused new vitality into the feeble and struggling
church. He was a man of superior education, a finished orator,
and a man of more than ordinary enterprise. He became at once
a leader in religious and educational matters in Canton. He was
also a physician, and eked out the scanty support the feeble
church, aided by the Baptist Home-Mission Society, could give
him by the practice of medicine and by his salary as President
of Canton College. At the first meeting presided over by Dr.
Perry, a committee was appointed to superintend the location
and plan of a house of worship. This committee consisted of
Isaac C. Johnson, Samuel Hannan, and Thompson Maple. This
committee reported, and a building committee was appointed,
consisting of Wm. M. Spencer, Isaac C. Johnson, and Thompson
Maple, on the 23d of June, 1838.
The first organization of the church as a body-corporate under
the laws of the state was consummated on the 16th of July, 1839;
and the first board of trustees were Win. M. Spencer, Isaac C.
Johnson, and Thompson Maple.
56 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
first deacons elected by the church were Jonas P. Cutler
and John G. Piper, who were ordained on the 25th of August,
1839. Deacon John G. Piper is still a deacon of this church,
having served about thirty-one years, and it is to be hoped the
term of his service will still be extended for very many years.
The new meeting-house was finished and dedicated on Sab-
bath, October 26th, 1839. This housp was situated on Fifth
street, between Elm and Main streets, just north of the present
Baptist Church. At this time the church numbered 38 members,
and was considered to be in a very flourishing condition. Under
Dr. Perry's charge the church had prospered. He was now, how-
ever, to dissolve his connection with the church, having received
a call from the Baptist Church of Alton, Illinois, to become their
pastor. Accordingly, on the 4th of October, 1841, he resigned
his pastoral charge, and Rev. Isaac D. Newell was elected his
successor. Mr. Newell's salary was fixed at $500 per annum.
Under Mr. Newell's administration the church continued to pros-
per. When he took charge the membership had increased to 113,
and during the first year of his ministry it increased to 131, and
had the pleasure of sending two of its young members Charles
West and G. S. Green, as students for the ministry, to Shurtleif
College; and soon after three more, viz., John M. Spencer, F.
O. Campbell, and William M. Freeman, were licensed to preach,
and all were recommended to the Baptist Educational Society for
an education at Shurtleff, preparatory to the ministry.
Mr. Newell remained with the church until in November, 1843,
when he closed his connection with the church as pastor. The
membership had now increased to 145 communicants, and had be-
gun to take the first rank in numercial strength among the
churches of Canton. Mr. Newell had labored successfully, and
was parted with regretfully by the larger part of his congrega-
tion.
From the time of Mr. Newell's resignation until in June, 1844,
when Elder Alva Gross was elected pastor, the church was with-
out a pastor. Mr. Gross on that date assumed the pastoral
charge, in response to a unanimous" call of the society. He was
a genial, warm-hearted man, a fair pulpit orator, and an excellent
pastor. He is still remembered by the old citizens of Canton for
his wit and geniality, as well as for his virtues.
On the 18th of May, 1845, the church granted license to
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 57
Win. W. Freeman, who had graduated at Shurtleff College, to
preach.
At the church-meeting held January 3d, 1846, the subject of
"hooking timber" was taken up and discussed at length, and the
following preamble and resolution upon the subject were adopted:
WHEREAS, The practice of taking timber from non-resident lands lias
hitherto been practiced to an alarming extent, and as many of the professed
followers of Christ have been engaged in the business, much to the grief
and loss of others, and believing it to be incompatible with the true princi-
ples of Christianity and demoralizing in its tendency ; therefore,
Resolved, That we will discountenance the practice in others, and advise
our brethren to desist from it.
" Hooking timber " from the " stump quarters " was thus dis-
couraged ; but then most of the non-resident land had been
stripped. There being no more timber to hook, it was time to stop
the practice. ,
On the 7th of June, 1846, Elder Gross terminated his connec-
tion with the church as pastor, from which time until the 19th of
June, 1847, the church'was again without a pastor. At that time
Elder Erastus Miner was called to the pastorate.
Elder Miner, in December, 1846, called upon Elder Morgan
Edwards The Sailor Preacher to assist him in a series of meet-
ings, which were the first of the series of remarkable revivals
with which the Baptist Church of Canton has been blessed. Over
sixty persons were added to the Baptist Church, and many who
had grown lukewarm renewed their zeal. The candidates for
baptism were baptized in Big Creek. The stream being frozen,
the ice was cut, and immense concourses of people witnessed the
solemn ceremony.
Elder Erastus Miner only remained with the church one year,
when Elder Simon G. Miner, on the 19th of August, 1848, was
elected pastor by a unanimous vote. Elder Miner found his
church with a membership of 190 and in a prosperous condition,
he labored zealously to keep up the prosperity of the church, and
with_a success for many years remarkable and unabated.
On the 5th of January, 1850, it was, at u regular business meet-
ing of the church,
Resolved, That Elder Newton, Bro. Matthew J. Scott, George Efnor, Sis-
ters Mary Ann Scott, and Susan Putnam, be and are hereby set off and con-
stituted into a branch of the First Baptist Church of Canton, Illinois, at
Ellisville, with power to administer the ordinances and report quarterly at
Canton.
58 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
About the 1st of November, 1850, Elder Jacob Knapp, the cele-
brated evangelist and revivalist, began his first protracted meet-
ing here, in the old Baptist Church. This revival was one of
the most powerful and extensive, perhaps, ever known in a village
of less than two thousand population. Soon after the meeting
began, it became apparent that the house was much too
small to accommodate the immense concourse of people that
nightly assembled to listen to the eloquent and powerful minis-
ter. One evening, at the close of the services, Thompson Maple
announced that on the next night the church would be large
enough to accommodate all who might come. The apparent im-
possibility of the fulfillment of this promise attracted an increased
crowd the next night, and lo ! there was room. The male mem-
bers had assembled at dawn, torn off" a part of the weather-
boarding and plastering from the south side of the building, and
erected an immense tabernacle of boards on the south side,
seated it and put in stoves, all in one day. That night every
body-slip in the old church was full of mourners, and for several
days even weeks there was no abatement in the interest. All
the churches in town received considerable accessions to their
numbers from those converted at this meeting, while to the Bap-
tist Church were added, including a few backsliders restored,
two-hundred and thirty-one persons.
The effect of this revival on the temporal prosperity of the
church was such as to lead to the erection of the present Baptist
Church, the corner-stone of which was laid on the 30th day of
April, 1850, with appropriate ceremonies. In the corner-stone
was deposited a document giving the date of the organization of
the church, of its removal from Duck Creek to Canton, its mem-
bership for each year of its organization up to that date, and the
names of pastors; also, the names of the President of the United
States then in office Millard Fillmore, Governor of the State of
Illinois Augustus C. French, President of the Town- Corporate of
Canton John TV. Shinn, and a statement that the population
of Canton at that date was "1,853 souls." The membership of
the church for that year was stated at four hundred and fifty -three
(453).
Of course, after this revival, there was a falling-off of such as
had joined without sufficient evidence of conversion, but the fall-
iiig-off was not nearly so great as might have been anticipated,
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 59
and was very nearly balanced by the additions made from time
to time.
On the 1st of January, 1852, the first service was held in the
new church Elder Jacob Knapp preaching in the lecture-room
to a large congregation.
On the 20th of February, 1853, the new church was dedicated
the dedicatory sermon being preached by Elder H. G. Weston.
A protracted meeting was begun, wherein the pastor, S. G. Miner,
was assisted by Elder Henry G. "Weston, then of Peoria, now
President of Crozer Theological Seminary, near Philadelphia,
during which fifty-three accessions were made to the church and
the old members revived and strengthened greatly.
In December, 1853, Elder Morgan Edwards was again called to
Elder Miner's aid during a series of revival meetings continuing
six weeks, during which seventy-nine persons were admitted to
church fellowship.
On the 22d of February a council was convened with the church
for the ordination to the ministry of Richard S. Johnson, a mem-
ber of this church.
During the latter portion of February, 1854, Elder Miner held
a series of meetings at Overman's School-House, northwest of
Canton, which were the means of adding ten more to the chui'ch
membership. Another protracted effort at the same place, where-
in Elder Miner was assisted by Elder Joel Sweet, of Trivoli, re-
sulted in ten more additions ; and the same series of meetings re-
moved to Canton, wherein Elder Ichabod Clark was assisting
Elder Miner, gave thirteen more additions to the membership.
About the 1st of March, 1856, Elder Joslin came to the aid of
the pastor of this church, in a series of meetings which resulted
in the additions of twenty -five more members.
At the annual business meeting held on the 15th of November,
185G, Elder S. G. Miner was for the eighth time elected pastor
by a unanimous vote, and his salary was increased from $500 to
$1000. November 23d, 1856, letters of dismission were granted
to Alonzo Barnes, T. C. Luther, Rebecca Barnes, Elizabeth Lu-
ther, Joseph B. Robison, Abigail Robison, Matthias Himinover,
and Matthew McComb, for the purpose of uniting with others in
the formation and organization of a Baptist Church at Prairie
City, Illinois.
Elder Jacob Knapp again assisted Elder Miner in a series of
60 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
meetings, commencing early in December, 1857, and added
twenty-five new members to the church as the fruits of his labors.
July 31st, 1858, letters of dismission and commendation were
granted to Bros. James Burson, Alanson Swan, Alonzo M. Swan,
and Sister Nancy W. Burson, for the purpose of organizing a
Baptist Church at Yates City, Illinois.
On the 24th of October, 1858, Elder S. G. Miner resigned his
pastoral connection with the church; but the church by vote re-
fused to accept his resignation at that time. There had grown
up some dissatisfaction in regard to his pastoral relation, which
satisfied Elder Miner that the day of his usefulness had about
closed so far as his connection with this church was concerned;
but the majority of the church thought differently, and earnestly
plead with him to remain. He, however, was inexorable, and did
sever his connection with the church as its pastor on the 30th of
October, 1858, after eleven years' pastorate. It is not now ne-
cessary nor would it be profitable to discuss the reasons pro and
con which led to this separation. It created great dissatisfaction
among the membership of the church. Elder Miner, however,
was recalled after one year's absence.
January 3d, 1859, letters of dismission were granted to Jaquez
Vorhees, Sarah V. Vorhees, Elizabeth Hill, Alletta Ann Ferine,
Christian V. Spader, Jane V. Spader, Amanda T. Ferine, and
Wm. Ferine, for the purpose of being organized into a Baptist
Church in Henderson county, Illinois.
During the year of Elder Miner's absence, Elder H. Daniels
was called to the pastorate of the church, but declined. Elder
T. S. Griffith was also called, but would not accept, although con-
senting to supply the pulpit for a few months.
On the 10th of September, 1859, Elder S. G. Miner was again
elected pastor of the church by a large majority, and consented
to serve. He accordingly returned, and remained with them as
pastor until December 22d, 1860, when he again resigned, this
time permanently. The immediate cause of this resignation
seems to have grown out of difficulties originating in the choir,
but were really but the old difficulties fanned into a new flame.
Elder Miner was not an eloquent man, yet his discourses were
sound in doctrine according to the tenets of his church, and re-
spectable in ability. As a pastor he was without doubt one of
the most competent ever in Canton. Kind, cordial and tender,
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 61
he was at once the pastor, father and brother of the younger
members, and the sympathizing friend of all. Mr. Miner was
loved by a majority of the citizens of the town as few men have
ever been loved, and by the membership of the church, with few
exceptions, as few men ever are.
On the 9th of June, 1861, Rev. Mr. Webb, of Dixon, Illinois,
was elected pastor, at a salary of $600 per annum ; but he appears
to have declined, and on the 3d of August Rev. W. B. Bolton, of
St. Louis, was called to the pastorate, and began his labors on the
18th of August, 1861.
Elder Bolton began a series of meetings on the 15th of Janu-
ary, 1862, which resulted in the addition of twenty-eight persons
to the church.
On the 10th of September, 1862, a council called by the church
convened, and ordained John C. Bolton to the work of the min-
istry in connection with the Baptist Denomination.
In August, 1864, Elder Bolton resigned his position as pastor,
but agreed to reaccept the position at a salary of $800 per annum,
he being permitted to practice medicine at the same time. In
January, 1865, Elder Bolton asked an increase of salary to $1200
per annum, he to quit the practice of medicine and devote his en-
tire time to the church ; but the church refused to grant the in-
crease, and accordingly he resigned, his resignation taking effect
on the 15th of February, 1865.
In March, 1865, the church elected Rev. W. R. Webb as its
pastor, agreeing to pay him one thousand dollars per annum,
quarterly in advance. He accepted the call and began his labor
in April of that year.
At the annual first of January Week of Prayer, in 1866, there
was an unusually great revival, considering the fact that no out-
side assistance was called and no revivalist was laboring with the
church. Eighty -five persons were added to the church as the re-
sult of this meeting. ,
Under Elder Webb's administration there was a thorough over-
hauling of the church records and a general weeding-out of un-
worthy members. The great numbers who from time to time
had been added, many of whom had removed from the city and
whose names were still borne upon the church books, necessitated
this measure. After the weeding-out had been completed, the
membership for 1867 footed up a total of 375 members. They
62 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
had raised that year, for pastor's salary, $1000; for incidental ex-
penses, $261; for domestic missions, $77.85; for Baptist Mission-
ary Union, $80.45; for Sabbath School, $326; for printing min-
utes, $5.00; a total of $1,750.30.
In January, 1867, a four- weeks protracted meeting was held,
Elder "Webb being assisted by Rev. Mr. Palmer, of El Paso, Illi-
nois. This meeting resulted in the addition of thirty persons to
the church communion.
Elder Webb terminated his connection with the church as its
pastor, by resignation, on the 1st of October, 1870, leaving with
the esteem of the church and the community. His labors had
been successful in healing old breaches and more firmly establish-
ing the church in a pure membership. Mr. Webb was a man of
fair ability as a speaker, and a careful and deservedly popular
pastor. He received while here the degree of D.D. from Ham-
iltqn University.
On the 1st of January, 1871, Elder D. H. Cooley, having been
elected pastor of the church, entered upon the discharge of his
duties, at a salary of $1,200 per annum, payable monthly.
Elder Cooley signalized his advent as pastor by a series of
meetings beginning with the annual January Week of Prayer,
which were instrumental in a revival of the Christian zeal of the
members of the church and the addition to its numbers of twenty-
three persons.
Elder Cooley promises to prove one of the most useful pastors
the church has had.
In connection with this church there has been, ever since its
removal to Canton, a large and constantly-increasing Sabbath
school.
There are many features in the history of this church which
would be interesting to the religious reader; but the limits of this
volume will not admit a more extended history.
Three of the members of the old Duck Creek Church, atod they
among the earliest members, are still living and still* in full fel-
lowship with the church, viz., Maria Wilson, widow of Samuel
Wilson, and William Swan and Jane Swan his wife. Each of
these were admitted in 1833. Each has maintained connection
with the church for a period of thirty-eight years.
The present membership is 360.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 63
In 1852, David M. Smith, jr., was employed as sexton, and for
over nine years discharged the duties of that office at a salary of
$100 per annum, discharging them faithfully, and to the entire
satisfaction of church and congregation.
THE FIRST SABBATH SCHOOL.
IK the fall of 1832 and soon after the Black-Hawk War, a
Sabbath school was organized in Canton rather in the neighbor-
hood of which Canton was the nucleus. It was conducted by
Gabriel Walling as superintendent, and met in the second story
of Childs & Stillman's Distillery on Big Creek, a little north of
the west end of Cole street. Here were gathered, in addition to
the children belonging to town, children from Barnes's settle-
ment, from John Orendorff's neighborhood, Sterling Turner's
children, and indeed children from the entire circuit around Cau-
i
ton for three or four miles, until, when all were assembled, there
were not less than eighty scholars in attendance. Here, with the
aid of Christians of all denominations, were taught, on Sabbath,
the juvenile minds in the ways of life eternal, and during the
week, in the room below, adults were fitted for eternal death.
This Sabbath school gradually gave place to denominational
schools, and by 1840 each of the churches represented here by
an organization had schools of their own. Now there are over
twenty-five Sabbath schools in the county.
In 1857 the friends of Sabbath schools in the county decided
to organize County Sabbath-school Conventions, for the better
organization of the system, Mr. Wm. P. Turner writes me in re-
gard to this movement as follows :
"Mil. A. M. SWAN. Dear Sir: . . . My mind and heart were greatly
exorcised in that direction. I was a volunteer S. S. Missionary so much
so that my thoughts, by night and by day, were directed to the Sabbath-
schoql work.
"As a result of these meditations, I prepared a paper to be used at any pre-
liminary meeting that might be called as a basis for organization, and prepared
myself to show what might be done to thoroughly canvass the county
throughout every school-district and township. Finally, one Sabbath after-
noon in 1857, a preliminary meeting of the friends of Sabbath schools was
held at the residence of Deacon John G. Piper, in Canton* There were
present, I think, John G. and I. S. Piper, John W. Ingersoll, Cyrus and Na-
64 CANTON: ITS PIONEEBS AND HISTORY.
than Overman, myself, and a few others whose names have escaped my
memory. I was called upon to state the object of the meeting, which I did
as briefly as possible, and also read my constitution. Brother Ingersoll's re-
mark was, ' The plan of that constitution is about what we need, if we only
had the men to carry it out. It is rather too cumbersome, there is too much
of it, as we are now situated.' Deacon Piper stated that he had received a
letter from Bro. Parrish, of Farmington, suggesting the propriety of calling
a county convention. Out of this meeting grew the first County Sabbath-
school Convention ever held in Fulton county. During the summer I visit-
ed Lewistown, Marietta, Vermont, and other townships, and urged this mat-
ter. We got the convention called, holding it at Lewistown. My constitu-
tion was the basis of the present constitution under which the county
convention is organized. The first President was Deacon John G. Piper.
I think this was two years before the organization of any other county in
the state : now all of our one hundred and two counties are organized, and
we have had a State Sabbath-school organization and convention for
eight or ten years.
" Yours respectfully, WM. P. TURNER."
ANECDOTES.
CONVERTING DRUNKARDS.
SOON after the Indian War, a Methodist preacher who had
been assigned to this circuit preached a temperance sermon here,
following it up by the circulation of a total-abstinence pledge.
A good many of the people signed, including many who scarcely
ever indulged themselves, but signed simply for the sake of cast-
ing the weight of their influence upon the side of temperance.
Among the signers were Isaac Swan and Elizabeth Swan, Nathan
Jones and Matilda Jones, Joel Wright and his wife, all temper-
ate. The preacher was delighted with his success, and at once
forwarded to the newspaper organ of his church an account in
which he stated that the Lord was abundantly blessing his labors,
and that he had been the humble instrument in God's hands for
the conversion and reformation of the following drunkards : then
followed a list of the names of all who had subscribed to his
pledge. Isaac Swan did not see this article till on a Sunday
morning just before starting to church, and it excited his indigna-
tion terribly. On arriving at the school-house where preaching
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 65
was held, he found the offending minister in the act of reading a
hymn. Marching up to him, he laid his hand on his shoulder,
and in a low but stern voice invited him to step out of doors be-
fore proceeding further with his services. The preacher, seeing
that Isaac was in dead earnest, concluded it was best to comply.
On reaching the door, Isaac pulled out the paper and said,
"Did you write that, sir?" pointing to the objectionable article.
"I did," responded the astonished minister.
"Don't you know that there is not one word of truth in it?
Don't you know that these persons" pointing to the names of
several well-known temperance men and women " are not now
and never have been drunkards ? "
The preacher stammered, hesitated, and tried to explain ; but
no explanation would satisfy Swan. Said he,
"Now, sir, you have just one thing to do. You must take this
paper into the house, read that article to the congregation and tell
them that when you wrote it you lied, and you knew it. Do that,
sir, or I will break every bone in your body."
The tremblimg minister meekly accepted the terms, and read
the article, confessing that he had lied and had known it when
writing.
PIONEER METHOD OF ADVERTISING.
Mrs. Darrow was the first milliner ever located in Canton. She
was a Methodist, and, among her accomplishments in the millinery
line, she possessed the art of making a sort of fur bonnet shaped
much like the old round-crowned Methodist bonnets. Old Father
Lumery, one of the earliest Methodist preachers here, was much
pleased with Mrs. Darrow's bonnets, and at all his appointments
would exhort the Methodist sisters to purchase them, say-
ing that they were the proper helmet for a female warrior of
the Lord. This plea was so successful that Mrs. Darrow was en-
abled to sell one of her bonnets to neai-ly every Methodist sister
in four congregations.
A LITERAL INTERPRETATION.
At a church-meeting of a church in Joshua township, one of
the brothers was arraigned for drunkenness. It was proved that
he had stopped at Canton on his way to Copperas- Creek Landing
9
66 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
and indulged to the point of drunkenness in Mallory's best. The
evidence being conclusive, the vote on the question of expulsion
was about to be taken, when one of the old brothers arose and
asked :
" Mr. Cheermau, kin I ax a question ov the witness ? "
" Certainly."
"Will the witness say if the brother puked Avhen he was
drunk?"
"He did not, to ray knowledge," replied the witness.
The questioning brother looked over the congregation Avith a
confident air, and said :
" Brethering and sisters, I do n't reckon we kin do any thing
more in this case. You all know what the Scripter sez : ' It 's
what comes out'en a man's mouth as defiles him, and not what
goes in.' Now if the brother did n't puke, I reckon there was
nothin' come out'en his mouth, and he was n't defiled."
The good brother sat down conscious of having made an irre-
sistible scriptural argument that could not be overthrown, and the
congregation decided he was right.
A PARSON NONPLUSSED.
Rev. Robert Stewart, who preached for the Presbyterians, was
not always judicious in timing his admonitions. On one occa-
sion he was making a pastoral call on Mrs. Alex. McPheters, who
was sick, and there met Dr. Newton. The doctor, as usual, was
under the influence of liquor, and was pacing the floor snapping
his fingers, and ejaculating " Oh, h 1 !" at every step. The doc-
tor's profanity grated harshly on the parson's ear, and he forth-
with decided to reprove him.
"Doctor, you speak very familiarly of that place called hell.
Do you know any thing about it? t5
The doctor stopped in his walk, eyed his interrogator, gave the
peculiar wink for which he was noted, and responded
"Yes, sir: I know all about it; I've been there."
"Been there?" said Stewart, "well, tell us all about it."
The doctor struck an attitude, winked again, and said :
"I tell you, Bob, old hell is a pretty respectable kind of a place;
but just a little the other side of old hell they have got a new
hell for Presbyterian priests, that 's the G d d st hole you ever
seen."
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 67
Stewart never after ventured to reprove the doctor without
knowing whether or not he was duly sober.
PAY IX PKEACHING. v
Rev. Williston Jones had just moved into his new house on
the corner of Elm and Wood streets, when it occurred to him
that green blinds to his windows would be an improvement.
Buckley was accordingly called in to do the job, and was soon
at his task, swearing, working, and joking, as was his habit.
Williston one day suggested to him the idea of reciprocity in
patronage. " I patronize you, Mr. Buckley, now you ought to
patronize me."
" Oh, certainly," said Buckley, feeling for the scribe-mark on
the strip he was dressing, " I had just as soon have my pay in
preaching as in money. Let me see, how much do you get a year
for preaching?" Williston informed him. "How many sermons <
do you preach per annum ? " continued Buckley. On this point
he also received information. Taking out his pencil, he com-
puted how much preaching his job would pay for, and informed
Williston that his work would just come to two sermons. No
more was thought of the matter by Mr. Jones until, on passing
Buckley's shop, some time afterward, he was hailed and his bill
presented as follows :
"Rev. Williston Jones to A. W. Buckley, Dr. To fixing
Blinds on windows, 2 Sermons."
" Now, sir," said Buckley, "I need those sermons to-day, so
you may just mount that work-bench and preach them." Mr.
Jones was nonplussed, and insisted on paying the money. Buck-
ley at first demurred, demanding the fulfillment of his contract,
but finally relented and took the money.
Buckley on one occasion visited St. Louis, and at dinner at a
leading hotel had placed before him a bill of fare. Being exceed-
ingly near-sighted, he did not undertake to read it, probably did
not notice it. On the waiter's returning for his order, Buckley
inquired what they had, and was directed for information to the
bill of fare lying before him. Picking up the document, he
handed it to the astonished waiter, with the remark, " Oh, d n
68 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
it, fill the bill." While eating, he noticed several snobs loudly
calling the waiters to change their plates. Now at Tyler's,
Sebree's and Freeman's taverns this plate-changing was not in
vogue, and Buckley thought it foolishness ; so, to rebuke it, he
arose and, in a stentorian voice, called, "Waiter, change my
chair. By G d, I '11 have something changed."
Buckley was an infidel. His residence being opposite the old
Baptist Church, he was in the habit of donating five dollars an-
nually to the Baptist Sabbath school. Some one inquired how it
was that one entertaining his religious views should be thus lib-
eral to a Sabbath school. " I do it," said he, " to keep the d d
boys out of my cherry-trees on Sunday."
One of the pioneers relates of himself and a 'companion a story
in this wise :
" Ike and me were coming up from Copperas-Creek Landing in a
wagon. On the road up we concluded we 'd steal a pig from a
mighty fine litter we seen along the road. Well, we stole the pig,
and throwed it into the wagon and brought it home. We thought
a good deal of that pig, slopped and fed it carefully until it was
nearly big enough to kill. So one day the pig got out, and one
of the neighbors put it up right away. We soon found out
where it was and went after it; but the plagueoned feller would
n't give it up. ' You see,' said he, ' I got that hog the same way
you fellers did, and I got just the same right to it you had ; and
just the less you say about it the better.' Ike and me had no
more to say, we just let the feller keep it."
The religious belief of three of the old pioneers may be in-
ferred from the following conversation, which occurred in Dr.
Bell's drug-store soon after the death of John Coleman, sen. Old
Shannon and Benjamin Perry were sitting by the fire warming,
when old Ha'penny, an old Revolutioner, who, from some trifling
cause, had fallen out with Coleman during his life, entered.
Said Ha'penny, " Well, Coleman 's dead and in h 11, and I 'm
glad of it."
Shannon, assuming an air of tragic dignity, at once responded,
" Mr. Ha'penny, you are laboring under a delusion : " Mr. Coleman
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 69
is not in the evil country ; Mr. Coleman is an inhabitant of the
good country. Mr. Coleman is not in the rank and file in the
evil country, either; on the contrary, her most august and im-
perial highness has given him an official position in the home of
the blessed."
" How in h 1 do you know ? " responded Ha'penny.
"Why, sir," said Shannon, "Mr. Coleman and myself com-
mune with each other daily. He comes to me for instruction in
regard to the important duties of his position. I am his mentor,
sir, and talk with him face to face, as a man talks with his
brother."
Perry had listened uneasily to this conversation, and could no
longer keep out. Rising and pacing rapidly back and forth,
swinging the skirts of his blue coat in an excited manner, he broke
out "You are both a pair of d d old fools. Coleman lies right
up here on the hill five feet and a half under ground, and he'll lie
there till the resurrection. I know, by G d, for I helped to put
him there."
THE FIRST TURNING-LATHE.
THE first turning-lathe in Canton was owned and operated by
Deacon Nathan Jones. It was a spring-pole lathe, with the cord
wound around the stick to be turned, in such a manner that the
stick ran half the time one way and half the time the other. Up-
on this lathe the deacon turned his chair-stuff'. This lathe was a
part of the outfit of the first chairmaker's shop in Canton. It is
related of the deacon, while engaged in this shop, that on one oc-
casion he had carried a lot of chair-stuff" into the kitchen to season
by the kitchen fire. The deacon had neglected to provide Aunt
Matilda his wife with wood, and this neglect had so excited
the old lady's ire that she seized and burnt an armful of chair-
rungs. The deacon stood and contemplated the destruction of
his chair-rungs in solemn silence for some moments. As the
flames began to curl around them, the deacon's lips parted, and
his hand was raised, not in anger, but in sadness. He tipped his
hat to one side with the uplifted hand, and exclaimed, "Matilda,
I wish you were in Heaven !" And this, it is recorded, was the
most nearly an oath the good old man had ever allowed to escape
his lips.
70 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
The first power lathe, operated by horse-power, was put up by
Daniel H. Dewey, and began operations in- March, 1838, on the
ground still occupied by Mr. Dewey, on the southeast corner of
White and Jones streets. Mr. Dewey also put into operation the
first circular saw in Canton, in 1841. It was eight inches in
diameter, and was used in cutting blind-stuff Mr. Dewey be-
ing at that time engaged in the manufacture of window-blinds.
About the same time that Mr. Dewey's power lathe was put in
operation, his brother Milton C. Dewey had a lathe operated by
men turning a large crank, and Peter L. Snyder another operated
in the same manner.
The first kiln of brick ever made here was burnt in 1830, and
was made by Deacon Jones. The deacon burnt several kilns
during the five or six succeeding years, taking into partnership
with him in the business his son-in-law Loving Ames. Jones &
Ames furnished the brick for the first brick house that was erected
in Canton. This house was built for James Hood, was situated
on lot 74, Jones's Addition to the Town of Canton, between
Jones and Walnut streets, fronting on Fourth street. The house
is still standing. Jones & Ames also furnished the brick for the
Canton College. These brick were not equal in quality to brick
made here now, as the makers did not thoroughly understand the
business or the material they were called upon to work.
THE CORN-HUSKING.
A PIONEER corn-husking was an event of more than ordinary
interest, at which would congregate the young and many of the
middle-aged of the entire neighborhood. When the farmer's
corn was "snapped" from the stalk, in the husk, and the time ar-
rived for it to be "opened" for winter use, a boy would be dis-
patched to warn the settlers, for miles around, that "We're
g'wine to have a schuckin' til our house Wednesday nite, and we
want you all to come over." This invitation was more sure to
meet an affirmative response than do the perfumed and gilt-edged
cards of invitation of this more refined age.
About three o'clock of the day of the " shuckin'," the young
folks would begin to arrive : the beaux dressed in linsey-woolsey
' ' hunting-shirts," or " wamuses," and the girls in checked linsey,
CANTON: ns PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 71
or cotton gowns, with cow-hide brogans. The corn had been di-
vided, when hauled, into two separate piles of equal size; and be-
fore these piles the assembly was convened. From among the
most expert huskers two captains would now be chosen. These
captains, when selected, would toss up for first choice of huskers,
and then choose alternately from among those present, male and
female, until all the working hands had been selected. Now rails
were placed between the piles to prevent the sly kicking of corn
from one pile to another, and at a given signal work would begin.
And now the fun would grow fast and furious, each side striv-
ing to outstrip the other, and each side taunting the other with
their lack of skill and sloth. Whenever some lucky fellow found
a red ear in husking, he was entitled to a kiss from his girl. At
some frolics the "red ear" entitled its "shucker" to a kiss from
all the girls on his side ; of course, the announcement of a " red
ear" was the signal for fun, and many a tussel would ensue be-
tween some stout and buxom pioneer lass and stalwart beau; he
determined to have the kiss to which the " shuckers' " law de-
clard him entitled, and which with the maiden coyness and fun
she would pretend to refuse. It was noticed, however, that the
man in these encounters was always the stronger vessel, and
would be sure to obtain his kiss. And such is human nature to
this day.
At frequent intervals, during the evening, the bottle of Mo-
nongahela whisky would be passed, and all "took it by word of
mouth"; i. e., each would^ turn the bottle up to their lips, drink
from it and pass it to their next neighbor, male or female.
The victorious captain would be seized by the party, raised
upon the shoulders of a few stout men, and borne from the husk-
ing-pile to the house, surrounded by the crowd, cheering and
shouting; the bottle-holder marching by his side, furnishing him
refreshments by the way.
After the piles would be husked, loud crowing and shouting
would announce the victory; and the winning party enjoyed
themselves hugely at the expense of the vanquished. Husking
completed, supper was next in order. This meal had been pre-
pared by the more sedate of the matrons, while the young folks
were busy " shucking." Boards were spread, borne upon boxes
or tables, and a bounteous meal prepared. The choicest pewter
and delft dishes from the whole neighborhood had been borrowed
72 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
for the occasion ; and the table fairly groaned under its load of
venison, stewed squirrel, squirrel pie, chicken pie, johnny-cake,
hominy, honey, and stewed pumpkin. Perhaps, too, if the laud-
lord was rich, there would be a high dish of fried doughnuts at
each end of the table.
At these frolics many a backwoods youngster would master
courage to tell his inamorata, in faltering terms, of his love, and
receive her coy pledge of fidelity.
After supper the tables would be cleared, the furniture removed
to the " yard," the dogs driven out, and a dance begin. The
fiddler, who was an important personage at these gatherings,
witn an air of pompous authority, would take his position at one
end of the room and announce with professional dignity a four-
handed reel, or jig. At these dances there was no standing still ;
each "hoed it down" with might and main, in a style that would
excite the astonishment of a dancing-master of to-day. The jig ,
was a favorite dance, as it gave the boys an opportunity to cut
each other out, and in it each tried to tire out all the rest; so that
it would some times continue for hours. .
The bottle passed as frequently during the dance as it had be-
fore the " shucking," and we confess, with shame, that our ances-
tors would some times get just a little uproarious before daylight,
for it was not until daylight that any body thought of going
home.
When the dance broke up, bashful swains and coy maidens
would trudge off homeward, on foot, hand in hand ; or, perhaps,
both mounted on one horse, go jogging along together telling
of the fun that they had enjoyed. Carriages and sleighs were
then unknown ; and had they not been, the roads were not in a
condition to have made it pleasant traveling over them.
THE SHINGLE WEAVER. THE FIRST FRAME HOUSE
IN CANTON.
ONE of the earliest steamboats in the Illinois-River trade was
the steamer "Exchange," which plied between St. Louis and
Peoria. She was familiarly known as "the Shingle Weaver";
so called from the fact ot her carrying upon her hurricane deck a
machine for cutting shingles, which was operated by the ma-
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 73
chinery of the boat, cutting whenever the boat was in motion.
Shingle timber would be obtained at the wood-yards along the
river, and market found for the manufactured goods either at St.
Louis or Peoria. This boat was an especial favorite with the
people of Canton, many of whom would, when desiring to take a
trip by river, wait for her coming, and most of the early stocks
of goods were shipped on her; she also carried most of the Can-
ton " beeswax " and other products to their market.
The first frame house erected on grounds now within the pres-
ent city limits was built for Deacon Natlmn Jones, in the spring
of 1830. Isaac Swan was the "boss carpfenter," and was aided
by the deacon. TMs~building is still standing, on the south side
of Jones street, between Wood and Lewiatown streets, and is now
occupied by Mrsi Dean. ItHa a tgo^atory frame house. The
frame, of the ' V>ld-fashioned " variety, was built without any
sawed stuff; the joists and studding being split out of heavy tim-
ber, the sills and plates hewed, and the weather-boarding split
boards, shaved. The weather-boarding was not jointed, but the
ends of the clapboards were shaved thin, and lapped. The roof
was laid with split and shaved oak shingles. The floor, door-
frames, corner-boards and stairs, were alone of sawed lumber.
When the carpenters had finished their work, Mrs. Jones took
the job of painting, and did quite a respectable job, too, painting
it Venetian red. This house was considered to be the most styl-
ish in the country. As Deacon Jones was Postmaster and kept
the Post-Office at his house, it became the place of resort for the
most intelligent of the pioneers, who would congregate here and
discuss educational and religious topics. This building was not
on the original town plat, however, being then considered out of
town. The first frame erected on the original town site was built
in 1831, and was the property of Joel Wright. This building
was, in fact, but an addition to an already existing cabin. Isaac
Swan was also the builder of this. It was occupied by Mr. {/
Wright as a store-room, and was situated on the southeast corner
of Wood and Illinois streets. This building is still standing, but
has been removed from its original site, and is now standing on
First street, between Illinois and Cole streets. It was occupied
until recently by David Will, as a wagon-maker's shop.
10
74 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
" SHOW-DAY."
"SHOW-DAY" was an institution twenty years ago. The dead
walls and the bar-room walls had been plastered, for weeks pre-
ceding, with pictures of all sorts of impossible feats. Animals
unheard of in natural history were to be there in abundance.
Two clowns, the wittiest that ever were known, had been engaged
at an unheard-of expense, expressly for this "great combination
show." What excitement these bills produced. On Saturday
crowds would stand before them, commenting on the wonders
that were to be exhibited.
" Show-day " here at last. By the first gray streak of early
dawn the boys are wide awake, and have gone down to the Lew-
istown Bridge, to see the show come in. They are small boys at
first who wait about the bridge; but by seven or eight o'clock
older boys begin to arrive, and by nine o'clock a few gray hairs
are sprinkled among the waiting crowd. A few adventurous
spirits, not content with waiting at the bridge, have disappeared
an hour ago over the hill toward Shepley's, and now their shouts
are heard, as they discern in the distance away out toward
Captain Slosson's the pioneer teams of the coming show.
There is a rush now; across the bottom, up the hill, splash, splash,
through the mud they go, until the first wagon is reached, and
then but pshaw, it's only a baggage-wagon at last! And now
they pause and wait, as one after another of the long train of
wagons pass, and all are anxious they want to see the band-
wagon, the actors, the elephants, and camels. The procession
stops in the Big Creek bottom, and the forty-horse team is har-
nessed to the band-wagon, whose body resembles, in a distant and
uncertain kind of way, the mythical dragon which no body ever
saw. How the boys wonder, and how wisely the gray heads talk
of "them ar leaders, and that ar on wheel-hoss." The band are
mounted now, and the procession moves. How the excitement
boils and bubbles, until every fellow wishes it was always show-
day. The band has crossed the bridge, but the elephant refuses
to trust his weight upon the frail structure. How anxious
the boys grow! Will they ever get him across? What a
whopper he is. But the dilemma is overcome; he has forded the
narrow stream, and the great tracks in the soft mud will be visited
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 75
for a month after the show is gone. As the procession reaches
the hill by " Bishop " Clark's, there are accessions to the crowd ;
men, women and children gather and fall into line upon both
sides of the road. When the square is reached, it would not be
exaggeration to say that there were more people on the square
than there was population in the town. As the band moves
around the square and through the principal streets, there is a
shouting, yelling procession that reminds one of pandemonium let
loose.
And now Grandmother Bridgman has set up her cake-stand,
and quarter-sections of gingerbread begin to appear under the
arms of hungry fellows from the country, who have started this
morning before breakfast, so that no part of the procession or
show might be lost. And now comes Captain Haackee with a
barrel of cider, and more gingerbread, which he is selling to
hungry and thirsty customers. The peripatetic candy-stand has
also been opened. The vender of razor-straps and patent soap
has opened his mouth, and gathered an admiring crowd. The
regular circus bummers, who follow in its train, are named legion,
and all are low gamblers, and will have had victims when the
tents are folded and show-day is over, Here comes good old
Deacon Jones, to hear the music; and there is but why single
out, when, with one excuse or another, all will be sure to see
the show; at least stand outside where they can listen to the
clown and the music.
He who was not a boy in a western village on show-day, at
least once in his life, knows but little of life, and is to be sincerely
pitied for his ignorance. Old men, young men, old women,
young women, and children, all are here, and all will see the
show. They have been picking blackberries and selling, saving
eggs and churning rolls of yellow butter for the occasion. I well
recollect when I visited my first show. I had earned the money
by cutting "jimpson weeds" around the old church in the public
square, and I was richer then prouder of my success than I
have ever been since, or ever expect to be.
76 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
THE WESTERFIELD DEFEAT.
IN the spring of 1832 the Black-Hawk War was a source of
great alarm to the citizens of Canton. Major Isaiah Stillman, of
Canton, in command of a battalion of volunteer infantry, was in
the field, and had under him most of the young men of the com-
munity. On the 13th of May, 1832, the force under his command
met with a defeat above Dixon, in Lee county, on what has since
been known as " Stillman's Run," and the news soon reached
Canton, coupled with the fact that Bird Ellis, Tyus Childs and
John Walter, from the vicinity of Canton, had been killed, and a
number of others from here wounded. This news not only cast
a gloom over the community, but created a feeling of insecurity
in the bravest of the settlers, and of decided alarm, amounting in
many cases to absolute panic, in the more timid.
The settlers were certainly liable to attack from the red-skins,
who were known to be in force and on the war-path to the north.
There was no adequate force in reach to prevent any incursion
they might feel disposed to make, when the "Westerfield De-
feat," as it was called 'in derision, occurred. Perhaps never in
the history of frontier life has there occurred so broad a farce
with so many of the elements of tragedy and melodrama com-
bined. The news of Stillman's Defeat had reached Canton, and
grief-stricken mothers were in the first anguish of their mourning
for slaughtered sons, when rumors reached the settlement of a
purpose on the part of Black Hawk and his warriors to move
southward for an attack on scattered inhabitants. The excitement
was intense. Stories of slaughtered families, of burnt homes, of
"captive women and children subjected to every fiendish indignity,
were the current subjects of conversation at every gathering.
Meetings were called in every neighborhood, and preparations for
defense or refuge begun. Block-houses and stockade forts were
erected, and scouts kept constantly in the prairies to the north-
ward to warn the people of the approach of the Indians.
One of these forts was erected around the store and residence
of Joel Wright, on the corner of Wood and Illinoft streets, where
Mrs. Wilson now resides. This fort consisted of two block-
houses and a palisade inclosure of split logs. This was built by
standing the logs on end in a deep trench, which was then filled
up and the dirt well pounded around the logs.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 77
In March, 1832, scouts were sent out by the people of Canton
to see if any indication of hostile Indians could be discovered.
These scouts had been out several days, but had brought in no
report of an alarming nature, when one day, toward the last of
the month, Peter Westerfield, an old frontiersman, and Charley
Shane, a Frenchman, determined to go on a scouting expedition
on their own responsibility. They were both well mounted, and,
crossing Big Creek north of town in the prairie, rode nearly
north until they reached a point nearly in the line between Farm-
ington and Ellisville, on Spoon River. The morning before they
started out a number of mounted white men had crossed the
prairie from Peoria toward Quincy, and their trail, of course, was
fresh and showed very plainly in the dried prairie grass. They
had rode single file, in Indian style, and a better scout than even
Peter Westerfield might have been deceived by their trail.
When Westerfield and Shane reached this trail, they both dis-
mounted, examined it carefully, and both were satisfied that it
had been made by a large party of mounted Indians. They cau-
tiously followed the trail until their suspicion crystalized into
comparative certainty, when, remounting, they started back to-
ward Canton to alarm the citizens, and take measures for the
safety of themselves and families. As they neared Big Creek
which by the melting of snow had risen until it was out of its
banks, they had a new cause for alarm.
Jonathan Buffum and Ed. Therman had holed a wolf, and were
shooting into the hole. They were in a direct line between where
Westerfield and Shane reached Big Creek and Col. Barnes's place
where John Lane now lives. These boys were not only shoot-
ing, but indulging in all sorts of unearthly yells, imitating In-
dians, screaming and hallooing. Another pioneer was squirrel-
shooting in the same vicinity, and another party shooting at a
mark in the same neighborhood.
Westerfield and Shane listened to these noises with undisguised
fear. That it was Indians there could be no mistake Indians at
bloody work, shooting, tomahawking and scalping the families of
Col. Barires and Henry Therman. They did not stop long to con-
sider, but plunged headlong into the turbid waters of the raging
Big Creek, and right gallantly did their noble steeds buffet the
mad waves, until the angry stream divided them from the dread-
ed foe. Their saddles were wet and heavy, and would load their
78 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
beasts too much for the fearful race for life they were entering
upon, and, with a coolness never too much to be admired, they
dismounted and relieved their gallant steeds of the dripping
leathern saddles, which were deposited for safety in a convenient
thicket of hazel. This was the work of but a moment, when
they remounted upon the backs of their bare-backed animals and
were away over the smooth prairie, across the few ravines, and on,
on to the fort at Canton. As they passed the cabin of Wheaton
Chase, they shouted "Injins are killing Barnes's folks : flee for
your lives ! " Soon Coleman's grocery was reached, and the cry
of "Injins! Injins!" reiterated. On, on to the fort they rode,
and still their cry was " Injins ! Injins ! " " The Injins have killed
every body at Barnes's and Therman's ! "
And now began a scene of the wildest confusion. Men shouted
the dreaded alarm; women screamed; small boys, pale with
fright, crept into the dense hazel-thickets and fled for their lives.
Some of these boys were thus hiding for days and days, subsist-
ing on roots, berries, and elm-bark. " To the fort ! To the fort ! "
was now the cry, and soon the people were gathering, a pale,
nervous, affrighted throng, within the little wooden inclosure
which was then their only hope of safety. To us, who from the
distance of nearly forty years contemplate the scene, it is a broad
comedy ; but to those affrighted pioneers it was a tragedy, the
denoument of which might prove fatal to them and their loved
ones. It was known that Keokuk and three thousand warriors
were encamped opposite the Yellow Banks, held in check only by
his promise of neutrality ; and who would believe the word of the
treacherous red-skin? Black Hawk's band, too, were on the war-
path. They had defeated Major Stillman, and men from Canton
were among the victims, while between here and the scene of
that disaster there was no sufficient force for the protection of the
infant settlement. All these facts were well known, and had been
frequently canvassed among the settlers. Peter Westcrfield was
a man, too, in whose word the most unbounded confidence was
placed. He was a Baptist licensed preacher, a man of undoubted
courage, and had had a considerable frontier experience. He be-
lieved the trail he had seen, the yells he had heard, the firing he
had listened to, the work of Indians, and had no doubt that Col.
Barnes's family had been massacred. What wonder the defense-
less people were frightened !
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 79
Preparations for defense, however, were not neglected. The
women filled several large kettles with water, and determined to
aid all they could in the common defense by using it on the foe.
There were incidents of broad comedy intermingled, even then,
with the tragedy, that caused grim smiles to illumine even faces
white with fear incidents that have served to enliven many a
fireside description of those frightful days.
Joel Wright was, by common consent, selected as the com-
mander of the fort, and Isaac Swan as his second in command.
Joel was dressed in a light suit, with a linen round-about. Dur-
ing the excitement he was every where; assuring frightened
women, issuing orders for defensive preparations, and distributing
powder and lead to the men.
Be it understood, the women preserved their courage far better
than their lords, as was evidenced by the fact that when no male
hand could be found sufficiently steady to pour melted lead into
bullet-moulds, a woman volunteered to make the bullets, and
made them without spilling a drop of the melted meltal. Mrs.
Doctor Coykendall was particularly noted for her coolness and
courage on this occasion, and did most of the bullet-moulding.
To recount all the varied phases of this scare woufd itself re-
quire a volume: some were dramatic, most farcical, as viewed
through the light of forty years, and by the knowledge that there
was absolutely no danger. Among the amusing incidents of the
day was the arrival at the fort of Jerry Coleman and 'Squire
McKim, who were at Coleinan's mill, on Big Creek, when West-
erfield's news was communicated to them. Jerry got the word a
few seconds in advance of McKim, and, being lame, set out at
once. McKim was not long in overtaking him, however. Mc-
Kim wore an old-fashioned dress or swallow-tailed coat, and as
he ran past the slow-paced Jerry, the coat-tails offered so tempt-
ing an aid to the boy's flight that he could not refrain from seiz-
ing hold of them with both hands. McKim was a large, portly
man, who weighed nearly two hundred : at the same time McKim
was a frightened man, and fright is ever selfish. He was not
willing to be retarded by the weight of Jerry attached, like the
weight to the tail of a kite, to his coat-skirts, so he turned on
Jerry and tried to disengage his hold ; but Jerry's grip was al-
ways good, and fear had turned it into a grip of iron; he would
not let go.
80 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
" For God's sake, Jerry, let me go, or we will both be killed !
Please, Jerry, let me save my own life !"
But Jerry heeded not his pleadings ; like Sinbad's Old Man of
the Sea, he could not be shaken off.
McKim turned to run, but still the weight of the crippled boy
would retard his speed, and he would turn again and plead and
fight, and pray for deliverance from the tormenter. Jerry loved
life and feared Indians too much to be influenced either by
prayer, threats, or blows. He hung on, and was still hanging on
when McKim dashed into the fort.
Jerry found his father gone and the store thrown wide open.
He took possession and sold out the whole stock of powder and
lead in a few moments, not stopping to take an account of sales
or settle with customers. It had cost him nothing, and he sold
at cost and was satisfied.
Wm. Haunan, Charles Reeves ind William Babbett, boys of
perhaps a dozen years old, were so much infected with the con-
tagion of fear that they determined to seek refuge in flight. They
accordingly left town and took to the timber. They crossed Big
Creek north of Jacob Ellis's mill, and struck down the creek
through th timber to a point west of Lewistown, where they hid
in a dense thicket. Young Reeves had on a pair of buckskin
breeches, and during his flight he had got them completely satu-
rated with water. When the party took to cover he pulled them
off and hung them up on some brush to dry. This was a serious
error on Charles's part, as the sequel showed. He had not taken
into his calculation the peculiar idiosyncrasy of buckskin, and
found, to his chagrin, that the pants which had fitted exactly be-
fore they were wet, been too large while saturated with the
treacherous fluid, were in their dried state infinitely too small
so much so that by no amount of stretching, coaxing or pulling
could they be induced to come over his bare limbs. He had to
give it up in despair, and made the rest of his trip through brush
and briers in a primitive toilet, more simple and convenient than
pleasant. They were out all the day of the Westerfield scare,
all the succeeding night, and until the next night, subsisting on
berries and elm-bark. How long they would have hidden no one
can aflirm perhaps they would have been hiding until this day,
had they not been attracted by the sound of an ox-driver's
" Wo-haw, Buck," and ventured to "interview" him, thus learn-
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 81
ing that the clanger was over and that they could safely return to
their homes.
At Col. Barnes's the news was tardy in coming that Wester-
field brought. The colonel was out serving at the head of his
company under Stilhnan. Stephen Babbett's wife heard the
alarm sounded on the east side of Big Creek, and, gathering up
one child and calling to her two remaining children to follow, ran
at her utmost speed to Barnes's. Henry Andrews, then a boy of
perhaps fourteen years old, saw her coming and called to know
what was the matter. "Oh," she exclaimed, "the Indians are
murdering every body across the creek. The people are running
and hallooing Indians ! Indians ! " Andrews at once sent Col.
Barnes's two younger boys over to old Mr. Swegle's to give them
alarm, and in a short time they returned, bringing with them the
old gentleman who was far advanced in years and his old
lady and daughter. Mrs. Barnes now took the direction of affairs,
and directed the party to seek shelter in a thicket at the head of
a neighboring ravine. Tp reach this thicket the party were in-
structed to strike the ravine at a point considerably below, and
then to follow up the bed of the stream, wading in the stream to
hide their trail. The two small boys led the way, and the old
gentleman and the women and children followed. There were
fourteen persons in all, and only one boy, armed with a trusty
rifle to protect them, Henry Andrews, brought up the rear; and
as he followed he picked his flint and prepared for the struggle
for life and for the lives of the women and children who were
confided to his guardianship.
" Oh, Henry," said Mrs. Barnes, " what can you do with so
many of us?"
" I will do the best I can and kill as many of them as I can,"
responded Henry.
On reaching the cover of the dense hazel-thicket, the party
took to cover, except Henry, who stood guard for a couple of
hours and they seemed mortal hours to the boy, who looked
each moment to have the red-skins pounce upon him. At last,
grown tired of waiting, Henry determined to venture to Canton
and see what the real condition of affairs might be. He pro-
ceeded very cautiously, keeping in the cover of the hazel-brush
as much as possible, until he reached the " Morse quarter " ad-
joining Canton, when he came upon John Huff, who was out on
11
82 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
guard. Huff was frightened, and it was with difficulty Henry
succeeded in making himself known : he succeeded finally, and
proceeded to the fort. Here he found the wildest confusion ex-
isting. All crowded around him, believing him the sole survivor
from among the settlers on the west side of the creek. Mutual
explanations followed, and at once the scare was at an end. This
scare was named, in honor of its progenitor, " Westerfield' s De-
feat," and as such is still known.
The Westerfield scare was by no means confined to Canton,
but spread through all the surrounding townships. In the Mai-
lory settlement now Putman township -'were living quite a
number of settlers, among whom were the Mallorys, Fellows,
Stricklands and Holcombs. There was an understanding be-
tween Isaac Fellows and Joel Coykeudall, at Canton, that if any
serious alarm was given, Joel should communicate the news to
Fellows.
No sooner had the word brought by Peter "Westerfield reached
Canton, of proximity of Indians, than Joel mounted a fleet horse
and rode at utmost speed to Fellows's, to warn him of danger,
according to his promise. The men in the neighborhood had met
that afternoon to drill; the place of muster being near old Mr.
Holcomb's. Thither Coykendall was directed by Mrs. Fellows,
who, terribly alarmed, gathered up her two children, Penella and
Stephen, and calling for her sister-in-law, Mrs. Cyrus Fellows,
started for the same place.
The company at drill were terribly excited when Coykendall
communicated his news, and at once, by common consent, sepa-
rated, with the understanding that they would meet and fort at
Holcomb's, whose house was the most roomy in the settlement.
Holcomb's house was a cabin, with two rooms, and situated on
the prairie. He had no stable, but on the ground, ready for rais-
ing, had the logs for a small log-barn.
The men were wonderfully expeditious in collecting their little
families at Holcomb's; so expeditious, indeed that not a man of
them had thought of his arms. When all were assembled, the
scene would have beggared the pencil of Hogarth to paint all its
serio-comic and tragic effects. Women, with disheveled locks,
were praying; men palsied with fear, and children screaming with
affright. Some one suggested that a fort must be built about the
house. The suggestion was grasped at, as drowning men grasp
at straws.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 83
i. OlcKMr. Holcomb seized a spade, and rushing out before his
^ooA began to excavate. "What on arth'are you a doin', old
\\^n\s" shouted his wife.
"Diggin' a fort," said he, as he frantically exhumed spadeful
after spadeful of the rich, black loam.
It was soon discovered that the supply of barn-logs would not
be sufficient for a stockade; so it was decided to build a breast-
work. This was soon completed, and was only about three feet
in hight. Then was discovered a dire calamity. Here was a
breast-work, and here were brawny defenders, but there was only
one gun that was serviceable.
Breast- works aie a good thing in themselves, but without arms
their strong points in defensive warfare could not be brought out
to advantage. What was to be done ? So much time had been
occupied in preparing their fortifications that it was not probable
there would be time to return to their homes for arms before the
murdering savages would be upon them, and then, the women
have since suggested, that their lieges were too much well, say
demoralized, to venture so far from the fort. Some one sug-
gested clubs ; and as there happened to be a convenient thicket,
the suggestion ( was at once adopted. Clubs, those primitive
weapons of warfare, were cut in such abundance that Mrs. Isaac
Fellows persists to this day in saying there were fully four wagon-
loads; enough to keep the Holcomb family in wood until long af-
ter corn-planting.
While the young and athletic men were engaged in the club
business, old Mr. Strickland, who weighed nearly three hundred
pounds, and was too fat to venture so far as the thicket, engaged
in improvising for himself a weapon more formidable than the
club. Procuring a bayonet with about one-third of the point
end broken off, he fastened it to a hoe-handle; then stationing
himself before a window in an arm-chair, he poised his blunt
spear, and, with an expectant look, pronounced himself ready to
send whoever of the red-skins should present himself at that win-
dow to his last account. As Strickland sat expectant, waiting,'
watching, he prayed for he was a religious man watched and
prayed, determined to die at his post and no Indian within fifty
miles. While Strickland was preparing his formidable weapon,
old Mrs. Stewart, who weighed nearly as much as that old hero,
was loading and doubly loading the only serviceable gun.
84 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
Still the Indians did not come, and men and women began to
breathe easier. Finally one bold pioneer volunteered to go down
the road tqward Canton and see if he could discern any signs of
the enemy. He soon returned with hair erect, and eyes dilated,
and declaring that the "Injins" were coming, marching in solid
column, at least a thousand strong.
And now Pandemonium was a quiet place compared with Fort
Holcomb. Men, women, children, all were screaming, all were
praying, all were but why attempt to describe what is indescriba-
ble ? Had Black Hawk, with any of his braves, been within a
mile, the noise then and there would have frightened them out
of the country.
Still the Indians did not appear. Dark came, lights were extin-
guished, and in darkness and doubt the frightened people watched
and waited. Twelve o'clock, and still no ruthless savage. Dawn,
rosy dawn, came, and still the wary savage failed to make morn
hideous with his terrible war-cry.
And now came a suspicion, faint at first, but gradually growing
stronger until it crystalized into conviction, that the scare was
without foundation, and then, all at once, men became brave.
Messengers were now found willing to go to Canton to learn the
extent and cause of the alarm. They soon returned, bringing the
good news that there was not an Indian within, perhaps, one hun-
dred miles of the county line.
The "Westerfield scare was communicated to the Moores's Grove
settlement by a runner, who crossed below the Lewistown Bridge
and made his way to Harvey Crosswait's. Crosswait communi-
cated the alarm at once to his neighbors, inviting them all to take
refuge at his new log-house, which was quite roomy and tolerably
well calculated for defense. Between Crosswait's and Joshua
Moores's there was a ravine that, on account of the melting snow,
had -been converted into a raging torrent. Crosswait went as
nearly to Moores's as this torrent would permit, and hallooed
across to old Mrs. Moores. The old gentleman was now quite
old, and Walters, his son-in-law, had just been killed at Stillman's
defeat. Old Mr. Moores gathered up his sick wife in his arms
and, followed by his daughter Jennie, her sister, and their four
children, they started for the expected place of safety. On ar-
riving at the slough,' they waded in across the bottom for some
distance to a foot-log across the small stream, Mr. Moores carry-
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
ing his wife, the two daughters wading, each carrying a child and
leading one. When the foot-log was reached, Mrs. Moores ex-
pressed her belief that the alarm was false, and insisted on being
taken back home; but at length, yielding to the entreaties of her
children and the expostulation of her husband, consented to go
forward. The whole party crossed over the old folks by crawl-
ing on* their hands and knees, and the younger women by wading
through the swift current, carrying one child and dragging the
other. This was not accomplished without danger, as the water
was deep and the current swift.
When the two young women had reached the shore, they noticed
close behind them a neighbor woman Mrs. Robinson, with two
children, wading through the overflowed bottom toward them, and
at once determined to wait for and assist her across. When Mrs.
Robinson reached the foot-log, Mrs. Walters called to her to know
where he was. Mrs. Robinson replied, "I don't know. Him and
his brother were with me until we got to the creek, and then dis-
appeared: I don't know what has become of them." It proved
that both men, who were young, stout and hearty, had deserted
the poor woman to her fate, and in company had started, as fast
as their frightened limbs w T ould carry them, for Springfield. They
did not return for more than three weeks.
Mrs. Walters and her sister aided Mrs. Robinson to cross the
stream, and accompanied her to Crosswait's, where the company,
with many of their neighbors, remained until dark, when another
runner arrived from Jacob Ellis's, informing them that there had
been no danger.
John Orendorf, Esq., relates the incidents of the Westerfield
scare occurring east and south of Canton.
Orendorf and Richard Addis had started to Hazael Putnam's
place since known as the " Woods Farm," to attend the muster
of their militia company. On the way across Canton prairie
and when ne#r the mound, they met Richard Tompkins, who in-
formed them that Peter Westerfield had just come home, and
brought word that the Indians were killing every body north of
Canton that Barnes's folks had all been killed, and the danger
was imminent.
"Who seen Westerfield?" asked Orendorf.
" George Anderson," was the reply.
Orendorf expressing doubt of the truth of Anderson's state-
86 CANTON: ITS PIONEEKS AND HISTORY.
ment to some extent reassured Tompkins, and he consented to
return and go with Orendorf and Addis to Westerfield's house.
Westerfield resided on what is now known as the " Capps farm."
On arriving at Westerfield's, they found the place deserted
Westerfield having fled to the woods with his family for shelter.
They accordingly turned and rode over to Putnam's. Here they
found the militia company in consultation as to the course to be
pursued. Esquire Orendorf was called upon for his opinion, and,
after questioning Anderson, who was the only person present that
had seen Westerfield, he expressed himself in favor of sending a
messenger at once to Canton to ascertain the facts, and volun-
teered to go himself on that errand. Addis at once volunteered
to accompany him. The company agreed to remain together at
Putnam's until their return.
Orendorf and Addis set out at once on their mission, and had
scarcely struck the high prairie before they discovered Peter
Westerfield coming from toward his place, and evidently with
the intention of joining them. Westerfield was mounted, bare-
backed, on a sorrel raw-boned animal ; his head was enturbaned
with a red bandana handkerchief; he carried his rifle and shot-
pouch by his side, and wore a look of grim determination. He
was evidently going to war, and his courage would not fail him.
Westerfield communicated his news to Orendorf and Addis, said
he had hid his family, and was going to the fort at Canton to aid
in its defense.
On arriving at Canton, they found the scare had subsided
Henry Andrews having come in from the Barnes farm with news
of their safety, and that no Indians were in that vicinity. When
Westerfield heard this, he grasped Orendorf 's arm, and ex-
claimed, "I tell you, Orendorf, it is true, I know. Didn't I hear
them and see their trail?" It was no use telling Westerfield
that his senses had betrayed him.
Orendorf and Addis now rode back to Putnam's tp notify the
company that the danger was imaginary ; but on arriving there
they found that the valiant militia, taking a new scare, had run
to their homes and were hiding out their families.
Thus ended the most exciting day in Canton's pioneer history.
CANTON: ITS PIONEEKS AND HISTORY. 87
THEODORE SERGEANT
WAS Lieutenant of the Canton militia company during the Black-
Hawk War, and in that capacity for a considerable period
had the command of the company. After Stillman's defeat, an
order came from the Governor to Sergeant for seven men from
the Canton company. Sergeant at once mustered his company
in front of Childs & Stillman's store, and read the requisition,
calling on those who would go to fall in after the music, which
was at the same time ordered to march and countermarch. Up
and down tramped the musicians before the company, but not a
man fell in behind them. Sergeant was equal to the emergency.
Ordering the music to cease, he went into the store and bought
two gallons of whisky, which he passed down the ranks, treating
every man. "Now, boys," said he, "I've got to have seven
men, or I '11 draft them. Music ! forward, march ! Boys, fall in,
you who wanlfto go." Either the whisky, or the threat, or pa-
triotism, proved potent, and nine more than the required num-
ber at once fell in.
JAMES SEBREE.
JAMES SEBBEE came to Canton on the 27th day of October,
1832. He was from Piqua, Ohio, and was a farmer by occupa-
tion. Mr. Sebree brought with him to Illinois seven children,
five of whom were boys and two girls one of the girls, Nancy,
being married to Lewis Bidamon, who was also with the family.
Mr. Sebree's arrival here was quite an epoch in Canton's history,
not only from the impetus given to population by the addition of
so large a family, but from the amount of wordly effects "Mr.
Sebree brought with him. Of his sons, Preston was twenty-two,
Robert T. nineteen, Curren who died here in October, 1837
fourteen, Charles W. twelve, and Howard W. ten years old.
Eliza Jane, his single daughter, was also a young lady. She af-
terward married John C. Parks.
Mr. Sebree came overland from Ohio, and his moving cavalcade
was quite an imposing one, consisting of one six-horse team and
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
one two-horse carriage. Mr. Sebree bought property on the
northwest corner of Main and Cole streets, where he soon after
opened the " Sebree Tavern," of which mention is made else-
where. Mr. Sebree was for many years familiarly known as,
" Old Boon," from a fancied resemblance in person or character
to that old pioneer. He Avas a genial, honest and intelligent man,
a hard worker, and in all respects a good citizen.
Mr. Sebree used to raise honey, and one winter, soon after com-
ing to Canton, a pack of graceless boys conceived the idea of
stealing a stand to satisfy the cravings of their " sweet tooth."
Accordingly, Duke B. and A. J. Coykendall, the Porter boys,
one of the McConnels, and some others, made a descent on the
bee-bench of old Boon, and captured one of the heaviest gums.
It was taken to McPheeters's oil-mill and stored away in the loft,
where it received regular visits from the boys so long as its sweets
held out. Old Boon made no complaint, never mentioned his loss
to any one, indeed, but kept an eye out for the offenders.
While the honey lasted, a revival meeting was commenced at
the Methodist Church. Old Boon attended, stationing himself
near the door. The boys also attended, and were in the habit of
visiting their stolen treasure before going to church, and would
come in past old Boon licking their fingers, some {inies, too, with
a piece of comb in their hands. Sebree by this means found
them all out, but kept his own counsels until spring. In the spring
he called on the -young gentlemen and informed them that he
must have pay for the stand of honey they had stolen, and that
they could choose between working for him two days each load-
ing and hauling manure from his stable or being prosecuted. The
boys had no alternative but to do the work. Accordingly, Mr.
Sebree set a day for the work to commence, and all were on hand,
at noon the boys were called in to dinner, and at the table old
Boon would pass an empty honey-dish to each, insisting that he
should take some of it. All worked their time out but Jack Coy-
kendall, who was discharged by the old gentleman for breaking
three forks the first half-day. Of course, the forks had been pur-
posely broken. While the boys were at work, they were visited
by nearly the entire population of the town, who enjoyed them-
selves poking fun at them. Rev. Dr. Perry rode by and, stopping
by the fence, inquired of them which they preferred honey, or
manure. The lesson was not soon forgotten by the boys.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 89
Mr. Sebree continued to reside in Canton until his death, which
occurred in 1867 he having reached the ripe old age of eighty-
three years. He retained his vigor to the last, and caught his
death-cold by wading throught the swamps and lakes in the Illi-
nois-River bottom, while hunting, only a few weeks before his
death. He was old Boon to the last.
DEWEY BROTHERS.
AMONG the sons of Orville Dewey, who came to Canton from
Vermont in 1832, were two Roswell W. and Carroll C. Dewey
who have since become well-known and highly-respected mer-
chants. Roswell began his business education as a clerk for
Joel Wright, in 1836 or '7; and Carroll by clerking for Tracy
Doolittle, in 1840. They both continued at clerking until 1849,
when they were offered a copartnership with Joel Wright. They
accepted, and the new firm began business under the name of
Deweys & Wright, and did business in the old Wright store-
room, still standing, on the north corner of the Public Square.
In 1855 this firm was dissolved by limitation, and the Dewey
Brothers established business on their own sole account, under
the name of R. W. & C. C. Dewey. They purchased the store-
room of Sully & Tracy, who were then closing out business, and
from that time until January, 1867, continued to do business in
the same stand. At that time their store-room was consumed by
fire, and for the succeeding year they transferred their business
to the west room of the Maple Block, now occupied by Thornton,
Eyerly & Co. They purchased during that year the location at
present occupied by C. C. Dewey, and, remodeling the building,
made of it a store-room one hundred feet in depth, forming the north
wing of Union Block. In 1870 Roswell W. Dewey retired from
the firm, selling his interest to C. C. Dewey, who still continues
in business.
The Dewey Brothers have never failed of friends or customers
since they commenced business, and have passed, by judicious
management, through all the financial revulsions without a failure.
Patterns of business integrity, their example is of great value to
the younger class of business men.
12
90 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
SAMUEL PORTER.
IN 1834 Samuel Porter came to Canton. He was originally
from the City of Boston. Mr. Porter was a painter by trade, but,
finding very little business in his line among the log-cabins of the
pioneers, with true Yankee adaptability to circumstances, he
turned his attention to wagon-making. Porter lived on Main
street, on the lot now occupied by Heald's boarding-house. He
went into partnership with a man by the name of Davis, in a dis-
tillery which was located in Utica, at some time between 1834
and 1838, but did not long continue in it.
Mr. Porter was said to have brought the first violin to Canton.
When he came he brought with him a well-supplied medicine-
chest, and furnished many indispensable articles to Drs. Donald-
son and Newton. Mr. Porter also traveled, during his residence
here, as a land-agent, in the employ of Timothy Gridley, a noted
land-speculator of that day. He was a Universalist in religious
belief. He removed from Canton in 1838.
HENRY CLARK.
HENRY CLARK or, as he was" familiarly known, "Brady
Clark" came to Fulton county in 1832, from Ohio. He was
born and educated in Connecticut. Mr. Clark settled at first in
Totten's Prairie, near the " Tazewell farm," below Cuba, where
he commenced business as a hatter. Mr. Clark remained but a
short time in the place of this settlement, removing to Canton in
the spring of 1833. On his arrival at Canton he purchased three
acres of ground from Isaac Swan, giving him twenty-five dollars
per acre, which was considered at that time to be an extravagant
price. This property is situated on South-First street, south of the
Lewistown road, and has been known at different times as the
"Bishop Clark place," the "Slosson place," and is now owned by
J. S. McCreary, Esq. Mr. Clark established here
THE FIRST HATTER'S SHOP
in Canton, which he operated for perhaps one year, when he sold
to D arrow & Rice, who afterward took into partnership with
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 91
them Irwin Whitaker. The business was continued until about
1840.
Mr. Clark sold his improvement, soon after making it, to
Dunn, and made another improvement south of his first, on the
same street. A portion of this new improvement twelve acres
he sold to Thompson & Watson, on which the" Slosson Mill
was erected. The house built by Mr. Clark was long known as
the Bennett Taylor place, now owned by Pat. Raiferty.
In 1839 Clark purchased a lot on Main street, immediately
north of Piper's Woolen Factory, where he still resides. After
selling his hatting tools, he began with true Yankee versatility
carpentering, which he still follows.
Frank, his only son, is now living in Clarinda, Iowa, where also
resides his daughter Mary, the wife of George Burns, late sheriff
of Page county, Iowa. G. W. Hardesty married one of his
daughters, and still lives in Canton. Jonathan Neece married an-
other, and is now living in Oregon, Holt county, Missouri.
THE STORM.
THERE is one night in the history of Canton that will never be
forgotten so long as one of its survivors is alive. " The Storm " has
been and will long continue to be a household word of fear among
the citizens, old and new; for, so vividly have its incidents been
described by the old to the new citizen, that he, too, has caught
the infection of dread its terrors produced.
The 18th of June, 1835, had been a showery day, and as night
fell, dark clouds were observed looming up in the northwest.
As the twilight deepened, from the ominous bank of thick clouds
there would blaze out lurid flashes of red lightning, that illumin-
ated and made more ominous the approaching tempest. Nine
o'clock came, and the people had either retired to rest or were
preparing so to do. Isaac Swan was at family worship : so were
several other families in town, when the roar of the thunder,
which had grown constant and terrific, was almost lost in the ter-
rors of another roar, so mournful, so dreadful and wild that it will
never pass from the memory of one who heard. It was the roar
of the tornado ; and in a moment it descended upon the doomed
92 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
village, descended with a devastating force which could not be
withstood by any frail tenement of man that opposed its course.
In a moment of time the air became filled with the roofs and fly-
ing timbers of exposed houses. Rails and timbers of all kinds so
filled the air that woe to the luckless animal or person who had
no shelter; and in another moment few of the citizens but were
shelterless. And now came great hailstones and a rain-fall, that
it seemed as though the windows of heaven were indeed
opened and the rains descending in a solid volume. Over and
above all the roar of the tempest, the cries and shrieks of the
wounded and dying were heard, and by the constant glare of the
lightning it was seen that nearly the whole town was in ruins.
As the wind lulled, those who were not too badly injured would
venture out to aid the wounded.
Bryant L. Cook was at Philip Grinim's when the storm struck.
Grimm's house was unroofed, the children sleeping up stairs, al-
most by a miracle, preserved, and no one hurt of the family.
Cook at once ran over to Isaac Swan's. He stepped upon a pile
of ruins which had been the house, and as he did so, Betsy Swan
cried out from under the ruins " Oh, help me ! " Cook went to
her, and found her kept down under the weight of one of the
cabin-log's. On removing it, she cried, " Oh God, my poor baby
is dead ! " and it was. She had held it in her arms during all the
storm, and its brains were knocked out by falling timber. Cook
heard a groan. Betsy too heard it, and said " Oh, Bryant, try to
get poor Isaac out." Cook lifted one after another of the logs,
and soon found Swan's body under the debris ; but he was fatally
injured. By this time help had arrived, and he was conveyed to
the Presbyterian Church, on the Square, which had sustained
but slight injury.
The people now assembled at Joel Wright's, Dr. Donaldson's,
and a few other houses that were not seriously injured. At
Donaldson's there was a scene of wild confusion : frightened
women and children had been collected until the house was
crowded, and there too was Betsy Swan's dead baby, while many
of those present were suffering from contusions and bruises. Elias
Foster was killed a spoke from out the wheel of a new wagon
driven into his groin. His little girl was missing, and was not
found until the next morning, when she was found dead, having
been blown from Foster's residence on the lot on Elm street, west
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 93
of Wood, now occupied by Rev. Mr. Wasmuth, to a hazel-thicket
near the residence of Hiram Snow, on Illinois street.
The storm appears to have struck the earth between Fairview
and Canton, and, after passing through the timber west of town,
destroying, indeed literally mowing a path through it, had swept
over the village, leaving but one or two uninjured buildings, and
perhaps a dozen that were habitable, but demolishing or serious-
ly injuring every other house in town. It passed a little south of
east over the present poor-farm, destroying the residence of Geo.
W. Gould in that neighborhood and killing his wife; then on
through Duck Creek timber to the bluff, where it appears to have
lifted, and for some distance at least did no more damage.
The scene the next morning was terrible. The earth was liter-
ally swept clean of fences, out-buildings, and almost of buildings,
but was covered with shingles, boards, rails, and timbers. Frank-
lin P. Offield had just received and opened a large stock of goods
in a new building on the corner of Main and Cole streets, oppo-
site Piper's Factory. This house was demolished, and the goods
scattered over the prairie clear away to Duck Creek. Cattel
were killed and lying about in all directions. Chickens were
blown away and killed, and the few standing houses were literally
wrecked, moved from their foundations, unroofed, or with gables
knocked in. The great wonder is that no more lives were lost.
Out of a population approximating five hundred, only four per-
sons were killed in town Isaac Swan and his infant son, Elias
Foster and his daughter. In the country near Mrs. Gould was
added to the list, making five victims of the air-fiend's wrath.
The destruction of property and life that would ensue were such
a storm to sweep over the country now would be absolutely ap-
palling. Then the country was sparsely settled, and of course
the destruction was not so great as it would be now. The track
of the storm was about one mile in width, extending from the
residence of John Coleman on the north to the vicinity of the
Central School-House on the south. The marks of the storm
were distinctly visible in the timber west of town until in recent
years, since the timber affected has been cleared up.
94 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
REMARKABLE CHANGE OF TEMPERATURE.
ON the 17th day of December, 1836, there occurred a change
of temperature so sudden and so remarkable that it is still spoken
of among the old settlers. The day had been wet and sloppy, a
previous snow was melting, and a drizzling rain had been falling.
Men were moving about, between the intervals of rain, in their
shirt-sleeves. Suddenly, at about two o'clock, the wind veered
around to the northwest and blew almost a hurricane. In a mo-
ment ice began to form, and formed so rapidly that the surface-
water was frozen in ripples and waves as the wind left it. Chick-
ens were frozen to death before they could reach shelter. Cattle
had their hoofs and horns come off. Men who were out from
home suffered terribly, and in many cases were frozen to death.
One of the Messrs. Wolf, on his way to Canton, was within two
miles of town, when he got into a slough and was wet to the
middle. In a few moments the change struck him. He put his
horse to its full speed and rode across the prairie to Isaac Shinn's
place, just east of town. On reaching Shinn's he was so nearly
frozen that he had to be lifted from his horse and carried into the
house. To repeat all the stories current of this change would
subject one to the reputation of a Munchausen. That the change
was noteworthy to a remarkable degree there can be no doubt.
SEBREE'S TAVERK
JAMES SEBREE opened the second tavern in Canton, some time
in the year 1833. This was located on the northwest corner of
Wood and Cole streets, opposite Dr. McDowell's present resi-
dence. Sebree -or "Old Boon," as he was familiarly called
catered to the public corporal needs until in 1837, when, tired of
hotel-keeping, he rented to Thomas J. Little, who united for one
year the practice of law and the business of a Boniface. Little
gave place to a Mr. Stephens, who also gave it up after about one
year's occupation. A Mr. Gait was the next proprietor, and held
possession for three or four years. Gait's successor was James
Thompson, who ran the house quite acceptably to the traveling
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 95
public for some years, and was succeeded by Peter C. Schenk,
who soon gave place to Joseph Hebb; and Joseph, after a short
occupancy, sold out to James Scott, who continued in possession
until the summer of 1862, when he sold the property to Dr. A.
Bell, who removed the old building, separating it, and from its
various additions making several buildings.
Sebree's Tavern was at one time the stage-stand, and was well
known over the whole Military Tract.
A TRAINING-DAY IN 1830.
HARRISON P. FELLOWS, Esq., gives the following graphic ac-
count of the first training he witnessed in Illinois : This training,
or " muster," as our pioneers used to call it, was held on the
prairie in front of the cabin of John Holcomb, now known as the
Hyatt place, in Putman township. Holcomb had a barrel of
whisky, which may have been the reason for the selection of his
house as the military headquarters on this occasion. But let Mr.
Fellows tell his own story.
"It was in the summer of 1830 we had just moved to the
country, and my father, Hiram Fellows, had rented part of Cap-
tain Haacke's house. I soon found out, in some way, that Haacke
was a captain of a militia company, and as I had some knowledge
of militia captains in New York, where we came from, I was filled
with an intense awe of the captain. One day I mustered up
courage to ask him if I might see them muster some time, and re-
ceived a kind and cordial invitation to accompany him to the next
training. I was in ecstacies, and looked forward with great anx-
iety to the expected day. It came at last, and the captain noti-
fied me to be ready by the time he was. I ran into our part of
the house, and, I tell you, it was but a short job for me to wash,
change my shirt, comb my hair, and make my appearance in the
front yard to await the coming of the captain and his regimentals.
I did not venture to go into Haacke's part of the house ; but tim-
idly peeped through a crack in the door to get a sight at the gor-
geous trappings with which, I had no doubt, he would be array-
ing himself. It is said that great men never appear well at their
toilet, and I must have verified the observation, as I remember
96 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
going back to mother and telling her I guessed Captain Haacke
was not much of a captain, after all ; any how, he did not dress
up like one.
"In due time the captain presented himself in readiness for the
parade-ground. Let me try to describe his dress. On his head
he wore' a hat of home-braided wheat straw, the braid was
notched, and the crown round. There was a band around it of
red calico, with loose ends several inches in length floating in the
breeze. His coat was made of homespun blue jeans, cut long in
the skirts so long, indeed, I fancied that he was in danger of
throwing himself, by stepping on his own coat-tails. This coat
was closely buttoned before with old-fashioned brass buttons,
placed at intervals of perhaps two inches apart. The collar was
short, stiff, and standing, the upper edge resting under his broad,
hearty jaws, thus keeping his head proudly erect. His panta-
loons were of the same homespun material, cut very wide in the
legs, and correspondingly short. He wore no socks, and I
noticed that his pantaloons and 'stogas' did not break joints by
about six inches. The 'stogas' aforesaid were his crowning
glory. They were built of cow-hide, very wide in the heels, very
broad in the toes, and of considerable length. They were tied
with buckskin whangs, while the huge counters were sewed
to the quarters with other whangs, perhaps from the same de-
funct deer. It had rained the day previous, and the shoes had
become covered to a considerable depth with clay ; they had then
been dried in the sun, until their deep wrinkles were hard as bone.
Mrs. Haacke had, that morning, undertaken the task of cleaning
and greasing them. I can not say that her efforts had been en-
tirely successful, as particles of yellow clay were interspersed
with flakes of unmelted hog's lard, over their broad surface.
" The captain held in his hand a formidable-looking sword, en-
cased in a leathern scabbard. I noticed hair on the hilt, and, as
at that time I was not so familiar with natural history as I have
since become, I could not tell whether it was human hair or hog-
bristles. The discovery filled me with a due appreciation of the
captain's ferocity ; so much so, indeed, that I followed him with
some misgivings, and at .a respectful distance ; when he would
look back over his shoulder to see if I was keeping up, I would
stop and tremble, until his face was turned in a forward direction
again.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 97
" On our arrival at Holcomb's, we found the company waiting
for the captain. Pie strode into the house ' with all the pomp and
circumstance of glorious warfare,' and I could see that by his
bearing he was making an impression upon his subordinates that
must be conducive to good discipline. I ventured to peep into
the cabin, to get a glimpse of Captain Haacke's Staff, and noticed
that he was the best dressed, and by no means the worst looking,
of the party.
"The captain now ordered Orderly-Sergeant Seth Hilton to
muster the company and call the roll. This order was obeyed
with due formality, and so reported, when the captain made his
appearance before his men. I noticed at the time that he had
buckled on his sword. The sword-belt was a strip of raw calf-
skin, perhaps two inches in width, with the hair on, hair-side out.
The buckle was of iron, of the width of the strap, and had, I had
no doubt, been taken off some cow-bell strap ; to this belt the sword
was attached by a buckskin whang. The scabbard hung loose,
and, to prevent its getting tangled among his legs, he had grasped
its lower third in his left hand, while the right held the hilt. The
captain stood for one moment in front of his company in dignified
silence : looking slowly up and down the living line, he raised his
voice to a tone of command, and shouted, 'Company, Halt!'
This order was obeyed. The next order was given in a lower
tone to the Orderly, and was : ' Seth, I reckon the boys, are a git-
tin' dry ; you come in with me and we.'ll see what can be done.'
The captain now disappeared into the house, followed by Hilton.
They soon reappeared, Hilton bearing in his hands an old-fashioned
wooden-handled 'piggin,' which held perhaps a gallon and a
half of Holcomb's whisky. Hilton was ordered to commence at
the head of the line and pass the 'piggin,' which contained, in ad-
dition to the fluid courage, three small gourds as drinking-cups.
'Officers, don't you drink out of the 'piggin," shouted Haacke.
'You come this way: I'll 'tend to you.' The officers seemed to
manifest no disposition toward insubordination, but followed their
commander to the rear of a corn-crib, when he proceeded to un-
button his coat and draw, from an inside pocket, a gourd that
would hold perhaps a quart ; this gourd was bottle-shaped, with
the end of the neck cut off smooth, and a corn-cob stopper.
'Here, boys, don't you see I've got a little something nice for us
officers, Oh, my stomach!' said the captain, as he handed it
13
98
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
around, to the evident satisfaction of the heroic band who sur-
rounded him.
"After this performance had concluded, the serious work of drill
commenced, and I soon saw that Captain Haacke was quite pro-
ficient in tactics. At one time during the day, the captain's shoes
began to hurt his feet, and he ordered the company to 'Hold on,
boys, till I get off these c d shoes.'
"During the day, Captain Saunders brought his company on
the ground from his house, several miles further down the Lewis-
town road. He said they had run out of whisky at his house, and
hearing Holcomb had a barrel, had concluded it would be best
'just to march the boys up, you see, Oh, my stomach!'"
FIRST INCORPORATION.
CANTOX became an incorporated town for the first time on the
10th day of February, 1837, as appears by the following record,
still preserved among the archives of the city.
[COPY.]
At a meeting of the citizens of Canton, held at the Presbyterian Church
in said town, pursuant to legal notice, for the purpose of incorporating said
Town of Canton, on the 10th day of February, 1837, David Markley, Esq.,
was chosen President, and Joel Wright, Esq., clerk of said meeting, who
were sworn into office according to the statute
[Here follows the oath of each of the Esquires, with their signatures.]
After which the meeting was called to order by the President, and the
following-named persons, citizens of (Canton) said town, voted as follows,
to wit :
VOTERS' NAMES.
Thompson Maple
Samuel W. Patterson. . .
Alexander Hudson
Phillip Grim
Thomas Boswell. .
FOE AGAINST
. 1
1
1
1
1
George "W. Dewey 1
Elliott Chase 1
Milton Dewey 1
Joseph W. Kelso 1
Horace F. Mitchell 1
Isaac P. Fellows
Alexander McPheters... 1
VOTERS' NAMES. I
OB AGAIXST
James C. Willis
1
James P. Stewart
1
Lathrop W. Curtis
1
James McPheters
1
Thomas J. Little
1
Isaac P. Taylor
1
Lewis Biderman
1
William B. Cogswell
1
Joel Coykendall
1
Harrison P. Fellows
1
Robert McPheters
1
James Hood
1
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
99
VOTERS' NAMES.
Joseph Guyer
FOR AGAINST
.. 1
VOTERS' NAMES.
Isaiah Stillman
FOR AGAINST
... 1
Tapley Willson
1
Geo. J. McConnell. . .
1
William Blair
.. 1
1
.. 1
John Smith
. 1
John McPheters
.. 1
Phillip Grim
... 1
Eliud Israel
1
Samuel G Wright
1
Robert Sebree
.. 1
Samuel F BoUn^ar.
... 1
James Sebree
.. 1
Printis Pond
... 1
Robert C. Culton
.. 1
Robert L. Cook
... 1
William Williamson . . .
.. 1
Edwin H Hood .
... 1
John J. Culton
. 1
Joel Wright
... 1
Total vote For Incorporating
Total vote Against Incoroora
. . 40
tine;. . ,
6
The total number of votes cast upon this proposition being
forty-six. On the election for aldermen, which followed imme-
diately, only thirty -two votes were cast. Among those, however,
were the following names, not recorded on the question of incor-
poration: Frederick Mennert, A. J. Barber, Bryant L. Cook,
George M. Gould, John Thorp, D. Coykendall, and J. Donaldson.
The candidates for aldermen, or trustees, as they were called,
were David Markley, who received 31 votes; Lathrop W.
Curtis, who received 14 votes; Thomas J. Little, 22 votes; Wm.
B. Cogswell, 24 votes; Franklin P. Offield, 22 votes; Joel
"Wright, 29 votes; James "W. Willis, 2 votes; Isaiah Stillman, 3
votes; A. J. Barber, 4 votes; James McPheters, 1 vote; Chester
Williams, 1 vote; James Sebree, 2 votes; and Isaac P. Taylor,
3 votes. The five highest on this list David Markley, Joel
Wright, Thos. J. Little, Wm. B. Cogswell, and Franklin P.
Offield, were declared duly elected, and were qualified accord-
ingly-
The first meeting of the new board was held on the 27th day
of March, 1837, as the records have it, "at Frederic Mennert's
Inn." At this meeting David Markley was chosen President of
the board, and Thomas J. Little Clerk. George W. Gould was
by the board elected Treasurer, and required to give a bond of
one thousand dollars for the faithful performance of his duties.
John Thorp was appointed both Constable and Collector, " and,"
says the ordinance, "shall give bail for both offices for the sum of
one thousand dollars." Lathrop W. Curtis was "appointed Su-
pervisor of Highways for the Town of Canton, and to be en-
titled to the sum of two dollars for every day spent in that ca-
100 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
pacity after the third." Nathan Jones, Lathrop W. Curtis and
Isaiah Stillman were appointed Assessors, and their pay fixed at
one dollar and fifty cents per day for every day employed.
Under" the by-laws adopted by this board, revenue was to be
raised by a tax on all real estate within the boundaries of the
town, which, it was provided, should be assessed at its true
value, and upon the assessment " an ad-valorem tax of not ex-
ceeding fifty cents on every one hundred dollars should be
levied by the President and Trustees annually."
Section 36 of the ordinances provided that " any person who
shall on the Sabbath day play at bandy, cricket, cat, town-ball,
corner-ball, over-ball, fives, or any other game of ball, within the
limits of the corporation, or shall engage in pitching dollars or
quarters, or any other game, in any public place, shall, on convic-
tion thereof, be fined the sum of one dollar.
The boundaries of the incorporation were defined as follows :
" Commencing eighty rods west from the northwest corner of the
northeast quarter of section 27, township No. 7 north, of range
4 east of the fourth principal meridian ; thence south three hund-
red and twenty rods; thence east three hundred and twenty
rods; thence north three hundred and twenty rods; thence west
three hundred and twenty rods, to the place of beginning; con-
taining and comprehending the east half and the east half of the
west half of section twenty-seven, and the west half of the west
half of section twenty-six.
At the second annual election under this incorporation, the
names of but twenty-one voters are recorded, among whom are
E. Boice, Abel A. Stevens, John W. Shinn, E. Rockhold, James
H. Stipp, I. P. Strong, and E. H. Fitch, who did not vote at the
first election. The candidates for trustees, with their votes, were
as follows : David Markley, 17 votes ; Thomas J. Little, 18 votes ;
Lathrop W. Curtis, 20 votes; George W. Gould, 12 votes; J. R.
Walters, 13; Joel Wright, 5; Joel Coykendall, 10; Lewis Bida-
mon, 3 ; Isaac P. Taylor, 1 ; Franklin P. Offield, 2 ; and John
Smith, 1 ; making David Markley, Thos. J. Little, L. W. Curtis,
George W. Gould and J. R. Walters the board. David Markley
was reflected President of the board, and Lathrop W. Curtis
Clerk. John Whitten was appointed Constable and Collector,
Joel Coykendall Supervisor, and required to give a bond in the
sum of five hundred dollars for the faithful performance of his
CANTON: ITS PIONEEKS AND HISTORY. 101
duties. Thompson Maple was appointed Treasurer, and Wm. B.
Cogswell, Franklin P. Offield and Joel Wright Assessors. It
was also ordered that a committee be appointed to select certain
sections from the by-laws which were to be printed in the Canton
Herald.
At the council meeting held August 13th, an ordinance was
adopted prohibiting the running at large of swine within the cor-
porate limits, " except so much as lies north of the north line of
Commercial street in Little's Addition to the Town of Canton."
At the next meeting of the board James Sebree presented a re-
monstrance against this ordinance; but, as the petitioners for the
law were in the majority by thirteen names, it was sustained.
At this meeting Messrs. Stone & Offield were allowed their bill
of $12.00 for printing the hog laws.
At the meeting of September 10th, 1838, B. G. Roe, for build-
ing a bridge on Wood street between Illinois and Cole streets,
presented his bill for $11.75; but it was not allowed, "it not hav-
ing been built according to contract."
At the election held February 20th, 1830; there were 38 votes
polled. The poll-list contained the names of Hiram Snow, Milton
C. Dewey, Thompson Maple, Joel Coykendall, John Smith, Ben.
G. Roe, Frederick Bidamon, John Thorp, E. D. Davidson, Elliott
Chase, Albert Squires, B. Loomis, Wells Tyler, Wm. B. Cogs-
well, James R. Parker, John G. Piper, James McPheeters, Otis
Remington, Peter L. Snyder, John Ballard, L. S. Williamson,
James Perry, James Ellis, Phillip Grim, Daniel II. Dewey,
George McConnell, J. L. Davis, P. Stone, A. Piper, J. W. Whit-
ing, David M. Smith, Tapley Willson, Nathan B. Scott, Cyrus
Coykendall. Irwin H. Whitaker, David Markley, George W.
Gould, John W. Shinn. The candidates for trustees were Tim-
othy Norris, who received 16 votes; George W. Gould, 19 votes;
John W. Shinn 26; Augustus L. Davidson, 30 votes; Milton C.
Dewey, 16; Thos. J. Little, 10 votes; David Markley, no votes
although his name appears on the poll-book; Alexander Mc-
Pheeters, 18; George McConnell, 12; John Thorp, 3 votes; P.
Stone, 14 votes; John Smith, 17 votes; L. H. Sovereign, 9 votes.
Messrs. Augustus L. Davidson, John W. Shinn, George W.
Gould, Alexander McPheeters and John Smith were, by this
vote, elected and duly qualified. This board elected as its Presi-
dent A. L. Davidson, John W. Shinn Secretary, James McPhee-
102 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
ters and John G. Piper Assessors. John Thorp was reappointed
Constable and Collector.
At the second meeting of this board, on the 5th day of April,
1839, "a petition was presented, signed by 93 legal voters of the
Town of Canton, praying that the trustees of said town shall not
grant license to any grocery in the said Town of Canton." This
petition was referred to a special committee, consisting of Messrs.
Davidson, Gould, and Smith, who at the next meeting of the
board were to report. At the next meeting the subject was
called up and postponed until the next meeting; but it does not
appear to have been acted upon at all, and, as there were but two
more meetings of the board ever held, it may be presumed that
this question ^tvas one of the causes of the premature death of
Canton's first incorporation. One of the last acts of this board
was the passage of the following resolution : " Moved that the
President of the board be requested to examine the records at
Lewistown, and ascertain if there is a street or alley on the north
side of the old Town of Canton, and if the town is placed in the
situation which the original proprietor intended it should be."
The last act of the trustees was the appointment of James R.
Parker as Constable for the corporation. This was done at a
special meeting of the board, held June 1st, 1839; and here its
record closes.
SECOND INCORPORATION OF CANTON.
THE second incorporation of Canton was made at a meeting
called in pursuance of law at the Congregational Church, on the
21st day of February, 1848. At this meeting Henry Walker was
Chairman and H. F. Ingersoll Clerk. At this meeting an elec-
tion was held for the purpose of deciding whether the citizens of
the village were desirous of being incorporated, whereat one hund-
red and twenty votes were cast in favor of incorporation, and
forty-two votes against the proposition.
On the 1st of March, 1848, an election for town officers under
this incorporation was held, at which William Parlin, William
Kellogg, George S. McConnell, James Wills, and John G. Piper,
were elected trustees.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 103
The first meeting of the Town Board of Trustees was held on
the second of March, and the members of the board were sworn
into office by James R. Parker, Justice of the Peace. The board
then proceeded to the election of its officers, electing George S.
McConnell President, and Henry F. Ingersoll Clerk.
The bounds of the incorporation were fixed as follows : Com-
mencing at the centre of the northwest quarter of section twenty-
seven, township seven north, range four east of the fourth princi-
pal meridian ; thence east, through the centre of the northeast
quarter of section twenty-seven, to the centre of the northwest
of section twenty-six; thence south, through the centre of the
southwest (quarter) of section twenty-six, to the centre of the
northwest quarter of section thirty-five; thence west, through
the centre of the northeast quarter of section thirty -four, to the
centre of the northwest, quarter of section thirty-four; thence
north, through the centre of the southwest quarter of section
twenty-seven, to the place of beginning.
The clerk was instructed to transmit to the county commission-
ers' court the ordinance establishing the boundaries of the town,
and the work of organization was thus made complete.
Wm. Kellogg was, by the board, appointed to draft a code of
laws for the government of the town, at the second meeting, held
March 3d, of the board. Mr. Kellogg made his report, in the
shape of a full code of laws, on the 27th of March, which was
adopted.
On the 14th of April, Henry F. Ingersoll was elected Treas-
urer, James R. Parker Assessor, and Harrison P. Fellows Con-
stable and Collector; and Ephraim Boice, on the payment of
$3.00 into the treasury, was granted a license to exhibit a buffalo.
Whether or not Ephraim got back his money in profits from his
exhibition is not recorded. Mr. Parker failed to qualify, from
some cause, and at the next meeting Peter L. Snyder was ap-
pointed in his place.
On the 8th of June the board granted a license to James C.
Wilson and Edward Slason to keep a grocery in Canton, charg-
ing them a license-fee of $25.00, and exacting a bond in $500 that
they should keep an orderly house.
In July Mr. Ingersoll resigned as Clerk, and Wm. H. Gillaspie
was appointed in his stead.
The laws of this incoporation were, by order, published, and
104 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
Charles J. Sellon, on the 9th of October, 1848, was allowed $10
for the same. The board at the same session voted themselves
$3 for their services.
On the 13th of November, 1848, Albert Emory was granted
license to keep a grocery in Canton.
The legislature having granted a charter to the town, an elec-
tion was held on the 27th of February, 1849, at the store of Job
Shinn, on the question of the acceptance or rejection of this char-
ter, and at that election one hundred and fifty-six votes were cast
for the adoption of the charter, and nine votes against adoption.
. On the 29th of February, 1847, the board divided the town in-
to four wards for voting purposes. Under the charter the Presi-
dent of the board and four Aldermen were to be elected by the
people : before the President was elected by the board.
The first election held under the charter, on the 28th of April,
1849, resulted in the election of Davis Ferguson as President;
Wm. Thompson, Alderman from the First Ward ; N. H. Turner,
Alderman from the Second Ward ; Wm. Parlin, Alderman from
the Third Ward; and J. B. Hinman, for the Fourth Ward.
Christian Hains was elected Supervisor, Harrison P. Fellows Con-
stable. The new board elected Lewis Corbin Clerk.
June 5th, 1849, the board voted not to grant a license to J. T.
Mallory to keep a grocery. Mr. Mallory renewed his application
at the next meeting, and was again refused.
On the 18th of July, 1849, the council, in view of the prev-
alence of Asiatic cholera in the town, ordered Wm. Parlin and
Wm. Thompson to purchase and distribute one hundred barrels
of lime for the purpose of disinfection.
October 6th, 1849, the council granted Henry Eakins a license
to keep a ten-pin alley.
At the election held April 2d, 1850, Lewis Corbin, the former
City Clerk, was elected President of the Board, Christian Hains
Supervisor, Thos. L. Ewing Constable. The Aldermen were
Wm. Thompson, First Ward; James H. Murphy, Second Ward;
Hugh Martin, Third Ward; and Daniel H. Devvey, in the Fourth
Ward. The President of the Board was this year allowed a
salary of twenty-five dollars. Daniel H. Dewey was appointed
Clerk pro tempore of this board at its first meeting, and Job Shinn
was appointed Assessor. The permanent Clerk was afterward
Geo. S. Hill.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 105
Mr. Eakins applied to this board, November 22d, 1850, for a
renewal of his ball-alley license, but the application was re-
jected. Mr. T. J. Mallory also asked for license, but was refused.
The places for holding elections fixed by this board were in
the First Ward, at D. M. Smith's tailor shop ; Second Ward, at
Alvah Piper's carpenter shop ; Third Ward, at Lewis Corbin's
book-store ; Fourth Ward, at D. H. Dewey's shop. .
Thos. Ewing, ex officio collector, returned that he had collected
$295.20 and there was due but not collected $3.35.
This council took the first energetic steps toward the building
of sidewalks, by ordering the building of twelve-foot sidewalks
around the Public Square. On streets running back from the
Square owners were required to build sidewalks eight feet wide,
of brick, plank, gravel, cinders, or other durable material, to a
distance of about one .block from the Public Square.
This board also appointed four police-officers one for each
ward, and defined their duties. These officers were only called
upon to act in riots, cases of emergency, or under special orders
from the Mayor, but were authorized to make arrests of any per-
sons violating the town ordinances.
At the spring election, April, 1851, John W. Shinn was elected
President; Samuel M. Rowe, Constable; John Thorp, Supervisor;
Joseph C. Williams, Alderman First Ward ; Thos. J. Little, Al-
derman Second Ward; Lewis Corbin, Alderman Third Ward;
Peter L. Snyder, Alderman Fourth Ward. The police-officers
appointed were First Ward, Henry Doty; Second Ward,
Atharin Keeling; Third Ward, Orville Jones; Fourth Ward,
Alonzo Barnes. Mr. Suyder resigning as Alderman in the Fourth
Ward, a special election was held May 12th, and Philip Grim,
jr., elected over Dr. James Melrose as Alderman.
In 1850 E. R. Peck had petitioned for the opening of Adelphi
street, but his prayer was refused. Now came Amos C. Babcock
et al., praying that Adelphi street might be opened and made a
two-rod street. To this petition Mr. E. R. Peck remonstrated,
and with success. Mr. Babcock also asked for a resurvey of the
town, and the board by resolution granted the prayer.
This council appointed a new police force June llth, consisting
of Franklin Moyer, Jacob M. Hill, Wm. H. Haskell, T. N. Ham-
ilton, Peter L. Snyder, and Wm. Sexton.
Philip Grim, jr., Alderman from the Fourth Ward, died in
14
106 CANTON: ITS PIONEEKS AND HISTORY.
office on the 22d of August, and a special election was held to fill
the vacancy in September. At this election the opposing candi-
dates were Mr. D. H. Dewey on one side, and Mr. Andrew Wills.
Mr. Wills only lacked two votes of being elected, although Mr.
Dewey beat him three to one, being elected by receiving three-
fourths of all the votes cast.
October 29th, 1851, a petition was received signed by Jno. W.
Ingersoll as committee for the Directors of " Canton & Liverpool
Plank-Road Company," asking right of way to the Public Square
for their road, which was granted.
Mr. Jno. W. Ingersoll had been by a previous council ap-
pointed City Engineer to establish the grade for the sidewalks,
and at this meeting resigned.
Mr. Hill resigning his position as Clerk of the Board, A. R.
Haynes was appointed to the vacancy, on the 2d of December.
At the spring election, held April 5th, 1852, John W. Shinn
was again elected President; Christian Hains, Supervisor; Darius
Roberts, Constable. The Aldermen were from the First Ward,
Parley C. Stearns; Second Ward, James Thompson; Third
Ward, Lewis Corbin ; Fourth Ward, James Wills.
The total amount of tax accounted for for the year 1851 was
$551.64, with a deficit between collections and assessment of
$13.26.
In the spring of 1853, Henry Walker was elected President of
the Board ; Henry T. Meyers, Alderman for the First Ward ;
Hugh Martin, Alderman for the Third Ward ; James Wills, Al-
derman for the Fourth Ward; and James R. McQuaid and James
H. Murphy received an equal number of votes for Alderman in
the Second Ward. This election was decided by lot in favor of
Mr. Murphy. Christian Hains was reflected Supervisor, and
Darius Roberts Constable and Collector. The board appointed
A. R. Haynes Clerk, and John W. Shinn Assessor. This board
appropriated $40 per annum as salary of its President, and $20
each per annum to the board. On the 22d of April, 1854, the
council established and organized a Board of Health, in view of
and to prevent the spread of small-pox, which had appeared in
the town. The Board of Health were Jno. G. Piper, Dr. Henry
Ingersoll, and John Thorp. They reported but one case, and
that a mild case of varioloid.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 107
THE CITY OF CANTON.
IN the winter of 185 3 -'4 Canton was, by legislative enactment,
chartered as a city, and on the 4th of April, 1854, the first elec-
tion under the city charter for officers was held. At this election
Lewis Corbin was elected Mayor; D. H. Dewey, Supervisor; B.
F. Moyer, Marshal; "Wm. Thompson, Alderman for the First
Ward; Atharin Keeling, Alderman Second Ward; J. M. Thomp-
son, Alderman Third Ward; James Wills, Alderman Fourth
Ward. The Collector for the previous year (185 3 -'4) reported
the tax-list for his term at a total of $737.32.
An election for Police Magistrate under the incorporate laws was
held on the 7th of November, 1854, at which Adam R. Haynes
was elected the first Police Magistrate of the City of Canton.
This created a vacancy in the office of City Clerk, and James H.
Murphy was elected by the board to fill it.
The council, on the 6th of January, 1855, enacted a very strin-
. gent prohibitory liquor-law, and vigorously prosecuted all viola-
tions of it, but not with entire success. It was during the ad-
ministration of this board that the ladies destroyed the whisky of
Canton.
The city's income for 1854, from all sources, was $875.32, and
expenditures the same sum.
On the 6th of July, 1855, the council appointed Wm. H. Jack-
son, Joseph H. Pierce, Wm. M. Waugh, Henry N. Ross and
Thompson Maple Police Officers.
The council on the 3d of July, 1855, appointed Joseph Smith,
the son of the celebrated Mormon Prophet Joe Smith, as City
Clerk, which position he held until December 4th, 1855, when he
was succeeded by Wm. H. Haskell.
April 7th, 1856, at the regular spring election, Thompson
Maple was elected Mayor; A. Keeling, Alderman for the First
Ward ; P. Plattenberg, Alderman Second Ward ; J. H. Bass, Al-
derman Third Ward ; and Wm. Parlin, Alderman Fourth Ward.
Jno. W. Wilson was elected City Marshal, and C. Haynes Super-
visor.
The amount of tax received for 1855, on real and personal
property, was $862.39; for plank walks, $2,087.97. The total
revenues of the city, from all sources, were $3,050.18; total ex-
108 CANTON: ITS PIONEEKS AND HISTORY.
penditures, $3,048.39; and the total debt of the city was
$1,503.77, against which there was due the city, for fines and for-
feitures, $107.00.
This board appointed W. H. Haskell City Clerk, A. Wills As-
sessor, and T. N". Hamilton Treasurer. Mr. Haskell, however,
soon resigned, and Lewis Corbin was appointed his successor.
This board ordered an election to be held on the 2d of .October
to decide for or against the subscription by the city of $50,000
stock in the Jacksonville & Savanna Railroad. The vote re-
sulted in carrying the proposition by a majority of 299 votes.
April 6th, 1857, Townsend Atwater was elected Mayor; Jona-
than Nies, Alderman for the First Ward ; Jno. Bailey, do. Second
Ward; Daniel Groenendyke, do. Third Ward; Wm. Parlin, do.
Fourth Ward. Jno. W. Wilson was elected Marshal, and Chris-
tian Haines City Supervisor.
This board appointed G. Barrere Clerk, Christian Bidamon
Collector, Andrew Wills Assessor, Thos. W. Hamilton Treasurer,
C. Haynes Surveyor and Engineer, D. J. Wagoner and P. M.
Binnix Police Constables for the First Ward, Joseph Pierce and
Stephen Thorp do. Second Ward, Orville Jones and David Nay-
lor do. Third Ward, Jacob Parker and Jno. Foutch do. Fourth
Ward. Mr. Nies removing from the First Ward soon after his
election, Sands N. Breed was elected Alderman in his place.
This board authorized its Clerk to grant license for billiard-
tables, and granted license for the sale of liquor.
On the 5th day of January, 1857, Jno. W. Shinn was elected
Police Magistrate.
The total amount of revenue to the city for 1855, including li-
censes, was $2,726.95 ; expenditure, $2,700.02 ; balance in treasury,
$26.93. The debt of the city was stated at $1,036.79.
The election in April, 1858, resulted in the choice of Sands N.
Breed, Mayor; Jno. Thorp, City Marshal; C. Haynes, Super-
visor; Aldermen First Ward, D. J. Wagoner; Second do., A.
C. Babcock; Third do., D. Groenendyke; Fourth do., Jno. G.
Graham. This was also a license board. Their receipts and ex-
penditures do not appear on the journal.
The April election in 1859 resulted in the choice of Sands N.
Breed, Mayor; Wm. Vandevender, Police Magistrate; Jos. H.
Pierce, City Marshal; R. P. Craig, Supervisor; Aldermen
First Ward, I. S. Piper; Second Ward, P. Plattenberg ; Third
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 109
Ward, E. P. Buell; Fourth Ward, James Melrose. A. Wills
was appointed Assessor, Jos. Pierce Collector, Wm. Vande-
vender Clerk, and R. P. Craig City Engineer. A special night
police was also .appointed, consisting of Joseph Pierce, Jacob W.
Parker, Jno. B. Allen, and Isaac B. English : all declined but
Mr. Allen, and Wm. Waugh and S. P. Miller were appointed in
their stead.
A statement of the financial condition of the city for the fiscal
year ending May 4th, 1859, shows the whole amount of revenue
from all sources to have been $3,452.45; expenditures, $3,233.58;
balance in treasury, $218.87; debt of city, $1,500. This board
raised the fees for license for selling liquor to $200.
At the spring election, 1860, the officers elected were Mayor,
Chas. T. Heald; Marshal, Jos. H. Pierce; Supervisor, Wm. King;
Aldermen First Ward, I. S. Piper; Second Ward, Nathaniel
S. Wright; Third Ward, Townsend Atwater; Fourth Ward,
Jno. Wolf. Wm. Vandevender was reappointed Clerk, Andrew
Wills Assessor, J. H. Pierce Collector, and Jno. W. Shinn Treas-
urer.
This board refused to grant license for the sale of liquor. Mr.
Shinn neglecting to file his bond as Treasurer, C. C. Dewey was
appointed in his stead. The rate of taxation was fixed at 35
cents on the $100 valuation that year. The financial statement
for the fiscal year ending May 4th, 1860, the rate of taxation
having been for that year 40 cents on the $100 valuation, showed
revenue from all sources, $2,474.69; expenditures, $2,429.54;
leaving a balance in the treasury of $45.85.
The election held April 1st, 1861, resulted in the election of
Jacob H. Bass, Mayor; Robey Whitely, Supervisor; Aldermen
First Ward, Darius Roberts ; Second Ward, J. R. McQuaid;
Third W^rd, T. Atwater; Fourth Ward, John Smith. They or-
ganized, and appointed Wm. Vandevender Clerk, C. C. Dewey
Treasurer, Andrew Wills Assessor, and Jno. W. Wilson Col-
lector.
The financial statement for the fiscal 'year ending May 7th,
1861, showed a gross revenue to the city of $2,299.74; there was
in the hands of the Treasurer $227.07, which with the sum ex-
pended by the city made a total of $2,308.31. The debt of the
city was stated at $1,565.38. The city expenses for the year had
been $1,243.90, exclusive of sidewalks, commissions, and delin-
quent taxes.
110 CANNON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
On the 23d of July, 1861, this council passed "an ordinance
for suppressing dram-shops," but really a very loose license law,
under which almost any person could obtain license.
November llth, 1861, the council granted right of way to the
Jacksonville & Savanna Railroad through the incorporate limits.
At the regular election April 7th, 1862, Wm. McDowell was
elected Mayor ; Jno. W. Wilson, City Marshal ; Lewis Walling,
City Supervisor. The Aldermen were First Ward, H. L.
Nicolet; Second Ward, G. W Fast; Third Ward, T. Stroud;
Fourth Ward, John Smith. This council appointed G. Barrere
City Attorney, Chauncy Black City Engineer, " Tracy Stroud
Treasurer at his request, he preferring to discharge that duty free
of charge, to save expense" (says the record), Jno. Wilson Col-
lector, and Wm. Yandevender Clerk.
Mr. Nicolet resigning in the First Ward as Alderman, a special
election was held in September, and John Tanner elected to fill
the vacancy. At the same time an election was held to fill a va-
cancy in the office of Police Magistrate, and Mr. S. A. Gee elect-
ed. Mr. Vandevender also resigned his position of City Clerk,
and Jno. W. Haynes was appointed his successor.
The regular spring election held April 6th, 1863, resulted in
the choice of Ira Johnson fdr Mayor ; S. A; Gee, Police Magis-
trate ; J. W. Wilson, City Marshal ; Wm. King, Supervisor ; for
Aldermen First Ward, Wm. Thompson; Second Ward, Geo.
W. Fast; Third Ward, Tracy Stroud; Fourth Ward, Jno. W.
Gosnell. This board appointed Andrew Wills Assessor, Jno. W.
Haynes Treasurer, Samuel A. Gee Clerk, J. W. L. Bicker, J.
Belt, Wm. Taylor and Chas. Stewart Policemen. The first of-
ficial action of this board was a resolution to refuse all applica-
tions for license to sell liquor; but, in the face of this resolution,
at the next meeting of the board they did grant license'to several
persons. The assessments for this year for city purposes were
fixed at fifty cents on the one hundred dollars.
At the election held April 4th, 1864, for city officers, Jno. G.
Piper was elected Mayor ; Aldermen First Ward, Win. Thomp-
son; Second Ward, James H. Murphy; Third Ward, John
Bailey; Fourth Ward, Robert P. Craig. Jackson Caldwell was
elected City Marshal, Wm. P. Hannan Supervisor. This board
appointed S. A. Gee City Clerk, Wm. Vandevender Treasurer
and Assessor, and Jackson Caldwell Collector.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. Ill
This council resolved at its second meeting to grant no license
for the sale of spirituous liquors.
This board appropriated $150 to be distributed among the sick
and wounded soldiers and their families, making John Thorp
their almoner. The tax levy this year was fixed at fifty cents qn
the one hundred dollars, and the property of the C. B. & Q. R.
R. within the city limits was assessed at $20,000 and taxed the
same as other property. This council adhered to their resolution
to grant no license.
The spring election in 1865 resulted in the election of Wm. B.
Gleason as Mayor; James G. Head, Marshal; Robert White,
Supervisor. The Aldermen were for the First Ward, E. H.
Curtiss; Third Ward, John Bailey; with a tie vote in the
Second and Fourth Wards. The tie was decided by lot, and re-
sulted in favor of A. O. Baughman in the Second Ward and Jno.
B. Allen in the Fourth Ward. S. Y. Thornton contested Mr.
Allen's seat, however, and was declared entitled to the seat.
This board organized by the selection of Wm. Vandevender as
City Clerk, David Beeson as Treasurer, G. Barrere City Attor-
ney, J. H. Head Collector, and Andrew Wills Assessor. One of
the first acts of this council was to pass an ordinance for the
licensing of saloons, and the license fee was fixed at $300 in each
case. A petition was presented to this council, at one of its earli-
est sessions, asking that a small park be made out of the Public
Square, and the petition was granted, provided the citizens would
contribute the means. On the 29th of June, 1865, the council re-
solved to give a repast to the 103d Regiment Volunteers, on the
occasion of their return home from the service. In July Mr.
Head resigned as City Marshal, and Jackson Caldwell was
elected to fill the vacancy. The assessment this year was fixed
at 50 cents on the $100 valuation.
The election in April, 1866, elevated to the Mayoralty Mr. T.
Atwater; Marshal, P. Slaughter; Supervisor, E. Ayres; Aldermen
First Ward, I. S. Piper; Second Ward, A. O. Baughman;
Third Ward, A. B. Hulett; with a tie in the Fourth Ward be-
tween S. Y. Thornton and Joel Dewey. This tie was decided by
lot, resulting in the selection of Mr. Thornton. Mr. Vandevender
was again appointed Clerk, G. Barrere City Attorney; Joel W.
Dewey Assessor, Wm. H. Haskell Engineer and Surveyor, and
Philip Slaughter Collector. The rate of assessment was fixed by
112 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
this council at 40 cents on the $100. Mr. Barrere resigned as City
Attorney on the 5th of February, 1867, and P. C. Stearns was
selected as his successor. Mr. Stearns was by vote dismissed
from the office on the 20th of Februrary. The council passed a very
stringent anti-license law on the 6th of March, 1867, one month
before the election of a new council.
In the April election, 1867, Chas. T. Heald was elected Mayor;
Silas Cheek, Police Magistrate ; Enos Ayers, Supervisor; Robert
C. Thomas, City Marshal. The Aldermen were First Ward,
Wm. Parlin; Second Ward, J. H. Murphy; Third Ward, T. At-
water ; Fourth Ward, A. C. Moore. J. L. Murphy was appointed
Clerk, P. C. Stearns City Attorney, Silas Cheek Assessor, David
Beeson Treasurer, Wm. H. Haskell Surveyor and Engineer.
This year the rate of assessment was fixed at 35 cents on the $100
valuation. This was an anti-license board.
The spring election in 1868 resulted in the choice of Geo. M.
Wright as Mayor, James C. Dunlap, Marshal; Enos Ayres,
Supervisor; for Aldermen a tie in the First Ward between A. -
Keeling and John Tanner; Second Ward, Jos. H. Murphy; Third
Ward, Wilson Hulet; Fourth Ward, Chas. T. Heald. The tie
in the First Ward was decided in favor of John Tanner by lot. Mr.
Keeling contesting, on an investigation of his claim, the council
decided in his favor. Thomas Coleman was appointed Clerk, P.
C. Stearns City Attorney, W. H. Haskell Surveyor and En-
gineer, Jas. C. Dunlap Collector, David Beeson Treasurer, and
John Gregg Chief of the Fire Department. This council was
anti-license. Mr. Gregg, who had been appointed Chief of the
Fire Department, declining to serve, Mr. Wm. B. Gleason was
appointed in his stead. The assessment rate this year was fixed
at 50 cents on the $100 valuation.
The election on the 5th day of April, 1869, resulted in the elec-
tion as Mayor of J. S. McCreary; Marshal, Wm. Shreffler; Super-
visor, Preston Sebree; Aldermen First Ward, H. L. Wright;
Second Ward, W. D. Plattenberg; Third Ward, Wilson Hulet;
Fourth Ward, Chauncey Webster. C. T. Coleman was elected
Clerk, P. C. Stearns Attorney, N. F. Dorrance Assessor, C. T.
Coleman Collector, David Beeson Treasurer, Wm. B. Gleason
Chief Engineer of the Fire Department. This was an anti-license
council. The assessment was fixed this year at 50 cents on the
$100 valuation. This council ordered that the names of the
streets be lettered and jDosted on the street-corners.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 113
At the election held April 4th, 1870, J. S. McCreary was
elected Mayor ; City Marshal, Wm. Shreffler ; Police Magistrate,
C. J. Main; Supervisor, Ephraim Main. The Aldermen elected
were for the First Ward, J. L. Murphy ; Second Ward, James
Bonn; Third Ward, S. Y. Thornton; Fourth Ward, Daniel
Abbott. This council organized by the appointment of D. W.
Maple Clerk, Wm. B. Gleason Chief Engineer of the Fire De-
partment, Jno. Bailey Assistant, D. W. Maple Assessor, David
Beeson Treasurer, Wm. Shreffler Collector; Policemen Chas.
Smith, John Belt, James Cook, Wm. Donn, H. Clingenpeel,
Alfred Troxell, Thomas Dailey, Andrew Ronk; Daniel Abbott,
City Attorney. At the council meeting held May 12th, 1870, the
council decided not to grant license to sell liquor; but on the 15th
of June rescinded their action and decided to grant license. The
rate of assessment for this year is fixed at 50 cents on the $100
valuation.
PORK PACKING.
THE first pork packed in Canton was packed by Joel Wright,
in perhaps 1831 and '2. His "packing-house" was a small
smoke-house in the rear of his store and residence, at the corner
of Wood and Illinois streets. He continued to pack more or less
pork up to perhaps 1846 or '7, shipping to St. Louis, or occa-
sionally sending mess pork to the lead-mines. Up to 1840, how-
ever, he did but little.
In 1838 Messrs. Shinn & Vittum packed pork here for the
Galena market, selling to parties who forwarded to their custom-
ers at the lead mines by sleds overland.
In the winter of 1839 -'40 Messrs. Ingersoll & Vittum began
pork-packing on an extensive scale, and from this date on Canton
began to be an important point for the pork trade.
It would be impossible now to give in their regular order the
names of the various large packers that have done business here :
prominent among them, however, were Messrs. Thompson Maple,
Maple & Piper, Maple, Stipp & Stockdale, James H. Stipp,
Stipp & Bass, Bass & Brother, H. F. & J. W. Ingersoll, Joel
Wright, R. W. & C. C. Dewey, and others whose names have
been forgotten.
Messrs. Ingersoll & Vittum began their pork-purchasing at
15
114 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
$3.00 per hundred pounds for heavy hogs, or those netting two
hundred weight and over. In later years prices went down, un-
til heavy pork has been purchased, dressed and delivered at the
pork-houses, at as low as one dollar and one dollar and twenty-
five cents per hundred. At these prices farmers considered pork
a profitable crop more profitable than corn at ten cents per
bushel or wheat at twenty-five cents. The pork purchased here
until since the completion of our railroads was principally killed
by the farmers. Indeed, there was no slaughtering or shipping
of live hogs done until 1854, when George Marks and James
Stockdale established their slaughter-house.
The pork-houses furnished employment each winter to a large
number of men, while teamsters were kept busy in hauling pork
to the river. From 1840 until 1854 spareribs, tenderloins, the
upper portion of the heads, and the feet, were given away until
all who applied for them were supplied, and dozens of wagon-
loads of the surplus were hauled out into Big Creek bottoms and
thrown away, until the people of the town would enter complaint
against the parties as a public nuisance. Hundreds of families
were thus supplied during the winter with free meat, and very
many of them would salt away barrels of tenderloins for summer
use. By taking a barrel to any one of the packing-houses and
paying for the salt, the pork -house hands would fill and pack the
barrel. By those who were here then and have now to pay
butchers' prices for spareribs and tenderloins, is it any wonder
there are sighings for the "good old days"?
The following tables, which have been copied from old files of
the Canton Register, will with tolerable accuracy show the ex-
tent of the pork trade of Canton from 1849 to 1862.
PRICE
YEAR. NO. OF HOGS. PER 100 LBS.
Different packers 1849-'oO 20,438 .... $2.35
1850-'51 14,000 .... 3.40
" 1851 -'52 8,378 3.60
1852-'53 8,361 5.50
1853-'54 10,500 3.85
AV. PRICK TOTAI, AVERAGE
FOR 1851-'55. PER 100 LBS. NO. OF HOGS. WEIGHT. WEIGHT.
Stipp, Maple & Stockdale. . . . $3.80 . . 14,406 . . 3,450,380 . . 239
H. F. & J. W. Ingersoll
3.80 ..
3,322
. . 814,501 ..
245
John G. Graham
3.80 ..
2,431
.. 573,716 ..
236
J. M. & J. H. Bass
3.80 ..
2,409
. . 575,376 ..
238
Piper & Shoup
3.80 ..
2,138
. . 506,706 ..
237
Hippie & Dwire
3.80 ..
1,336
.. 312,960 ..
235
John W. Shinn
3.80 ..
253
59,229 ..
235
Total..
28,170
. 6,713,421 .
238
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 115
February 14th, 1856, the Register says:
Through the kindness of our pork-dealers, we are enabled to
lay before our readers the following statement of that business,
in Canton, for present season :
AV. WEIGHT
NO. HOGS. PEBHOO.
J. M. &J. H. Bass ^ 3,864 .... 238
Piper & Shoup 3,064 232
Stipp, Maple & Stockdale 1,700 235
Groenendyke & Simonson 2,000 225
Hulits& Atwater 2,074 220
H. F. & J. W. Ingersoll 2,829 .... 240
Hippie & Dwire 2,000 232
Graham, Wills & Co 2,440 J533
Total 19,471 .... "238
The total weight is 4,529,740 Ibs.
The foregoing figures, we believe, are correct up to this date.
There are, however, some few hogs yet to come in perhaps
enough to raise the number to 20,000, but not more. Compared
with last season, the figures stand as follows :
1854-'55 28,170 .... 6,713,421 238
1855-'56 19,471 .... 4,529,740 .... 238
Decrease 9,699 2,193,961
In 1856 -'7, according to the same authority, there were packed
in Canton, by
NO. HOGS. AV.W'T.
J. M. & J. H. Bass 2,200 .... 242
I.S.Piper 1,775 243
Hulits & Atwater 1,650
Groenendyke & Simonson 1,500
H. F. & J. W. Ingersoll 2,719 .... 238%
John S. Wills & Bros 1,636 240
Total number 11,480
Last year the total number packed in this place was 10,700, and
the total average weight a fraction over 237. It will therefore be
seen that the number is somewhat larger and the average weight
somewhat better this season than last.
For 1859 the Register says:
The following is the number of hogs packed in this place this
season :
116 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
Bass, Haynes & Ross 3,000
I. S. Piper 1,850
Hulits & Atwater 1,762
Simonson & Breed 800
Ingersolls 3,944
Jno. S. Wills & Bro 1,725
J. H. Stipp&Co. 950
Trites, Seaton & Co *. 1,200
Total 14,731
The average weight is 178 pounds, net. Last season the
average was 235 pounds.
In 1860, from the same authority I quote:
Some of the best hogs of the season were brought in last week.
The following lots were received by Messrs. Ingersoll, from the
persons named :
NO.HOOS. AV.W'T.
DavidPerrine 27 303
E.Burdick 34 304
Samuel Brown i8 336
James Perrine 38 262
J.T.Dunn 36 .... 240
RGreenwell 43 .... 250
George V. Coe 12 285
The pork season being about closed, we have, according to our
usual custom, called upon our packers to obtain the number and
average weight of the hogs packed, which we give below :
NO. AV.W'T.
Bass, Haynes & Ross 2,435 215
IS. Piper 700 .... 210
Hulits & Atwater 200 215
Breed, Cline & Co 700 .... 218
H. F. & J. W. Ingersoll 3,017 .... 215
Trites, Seaton & Co 750 216
Wills Brothers 1,250 . . . . 220
Total 9,052 216^
In 1859, the number packed was 14,731, and the average net
weight 178; in 1858, the number packed was 11,480, and average
weight 235; in 1857, the number packed was 10,700, and the
average weight a fraction over 237.
' In 1862, January 25th, the Register says:
Through the kindness of our packers, we are enabled to lay
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 117
before our readers the following statement of the number of hogs
packed in this city during the season now closing :
H. F. & J. W. Ingersoll 3,947
Bass, Hains & Ross 3,550
Piper & Griffith 3,100
Wills Bros 2,282
E. A. Breed & Co 830
At Stockdale's slaughter-house 300
McCall& Co.. 323'
Wm. Babcock 100
Amos Babcock 65
Total 14,497
Piper & Griffith also shipped 200 hogs to Chicago, uncut, be-
ing unable to secure barrels to pack them in. The want of bar-
rels prevented many more from being packed here. The average
weight is about 270 ft>s.
After the completion of railroads to Canton pork-packing in a
good measure ceased, live hogs being shipped at all seasons of
the year.
About 1855 occurred an event that has had a controlling influ-
ence in the hog production, not only of this vicinity, but of the
entire Northwest. In that year Mr. A. C. Moore, a gentleman
who had for ten years previously been making the breeding of a
superior breed of hogs a specialty in Butler county, Ohio, immi-
grated to the township, and purchased the farm known as the
Slosson farm, about two and one-half miles southwest of Canton.
On Mr. Moore's arrival he brought with him the best selections
from his Ohio stock, and renewed his efforts as a breeder. His
breed of which he has made a specialty was an improved
Poland and China hog. Mr. Moore soon established for himself
so great a reputation as a breeder that. his name has passed into
a household word among the best class of farmers throughout
the West, and hogs from his farm command unprecedented prices
from Maine to California. He has undoubtedly taken more pre-
miums in both number and value than any other breeder of any
breed of hogs in the United States, at both state and county fairs.
One hog he now owns, bred by him, has taken over $1,400 in
premiums. Mr. Moore now breeds more pigs for purely breeding
purposes than any other breeder in the world, having raised last
year (1870), from his own farm, over 750 pigs, and purchased
118 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
from his neighbors selected pigs -chiefly the product of stock
previously sold to them about two hundred more. About 800
pigs have been distributed for purely breeding purposes from
Ohio to California, and from Minnesota to Mississippi, by him.
Mr. Moore's business produces him an annual income of not
less than from $20,000 to $25,000. His stock is called Poland-
China, originating in crosses of the Poland, China and Byfield ;
but so long have they been bred under his careful supervision,
skill and intelligence qualities for which Mr. Moore is preemin-
ent, that the more valuable qualities of each breed have been
so thoroughly and carefully blended that they have become a dis-
tinct thorough-bred stock, known and recognized in the official
records of our State Board of Agriculture and other official
boards as the Poland-China. Mr. Moore's herd now contains in
the neighborhood of two hundred thorough-breed brood sows and
fourteen males, and is year by year increasing.
The people of Fulton county feel, justly, proud of Mr. Moore's
success, as by his judicious crossing he has attained a uniformity
of size, color and fattening qualities that has made his stock the
great premium-taking stock of the Northwest, and its reputation
has been reflected back upon the county, until the " Moore's Po-
land-China hog" has made the county famous. I here venture
the assertion that no other variety of hogs has ever taken so
many valuable premiums, and at the same time accord to A. C.
Moore, of Canton, the honor of breeding it up to its present high
standard.
Mr. J. B. McCreary, who came into the township in 1867, is
also a successful and skillful breeder of Poland-China hogs, and
is rapidly acquiring a reputation as a breeder. In fact, it may
be said that very many of our population Have become breeders
of thorough-bred hogs. One of the most directly important re-
sults of this enterprise has been to place Fulton first in the list
of hog-producing counties of the state the last census (1870)
showing an aggregate of 57,760 hogs over six months old in the
county, valued for pork at the round sum of $1,100,000.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 119
ROBERT C. CULTON,
A native of Kentucky, who landed in Canton in October, 1836,
has been, since his residence here, probably more frequently a
pioneer in important improvements and public enterprises than
any other individual who has resided here. On arriving at Can-
ton, he immediately purchased from Ira Baker his blacksmith
shop, located on Lot 46, Jones's Addition, corner of Jones and Main
streets, and began business at his trade blacksraithing. For
many years after he carried on the largest shop in town.
In June, 1837, Mr. Cnlton set up on this lot the first carding-
machine in Canton. His machinery consisted of two stands of
cards, and was operated by two horses on a tread- wheel. This
establishment was successful, and drew trade from distant parts
of the country, which otherwise would have gone elsewhere. In
1841 Mr. Culton took into partnership in the carding business
his brother-in-law, Arche Henderson, at the same time adding
two additional stands of cards and increasing his power to four
horses. The establishment continued in operation until about
1842, when it was discontinued.
Mr. Culton was thus the pioneer carder. So, also, he was the
father of the improved plow manufacturing. Having commenced
blacksmithiug in 1836, he in 1840 began the manufacture of the
old-fashioned Diamond Plow, which was the progenitor of the
steel mould-board plows of the present day. He also made the
"Carey Plow" and the "Bar Share" breaking plow. His plows
found ready sale, as they were well made by competent workmen.
Wm. Parlin was one of his blacksmiths, and his wood-workers
were Cornelius Van Middlesworth, Charles Rockhold, and Cyrus
Coykendall. Mr. Culton also erected the first frame for shoeing
oxen in Canton.
In 1848 Mr. Culton decided to go into merchandising, and ac-
cordingly associated with him in business a nephew, J. W. Cul-
ton, now of Chicago. Their place of business was on the ground
now occupied by the portion of Union Block in which G. B. Yit-
tum is doing business. This venture proved unprofitable, and
the firm was dissolved and business suspended.
Mr. Culton has been a member of the Presbyterian Church
since 1823, and an elder of the church for just a quarter of a
120 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
century. He still resides here, on the ground where he first set-
tled, on Main street between Jones and Walnut streets, a proper-
ty on which he has lived for thirty-four years.
PLOW MANUFACTURING.
As heretofore stated, R. C. Culton was the first manufacturer of
plows in Canton. His establishment, while it was large for that
period, was yet so small as not to have attracted attention outside
of this immediate vicinity. It is therefore no injustice to Mr.
Culton to mention as the originator of plow manufacturing in this
county the name of
WILLIAM PARLIN.
Mr. Parlin is a native of Massachusetts. He immigrated to
Fulton county, landing at Copperas- Creek Landing on the 4th
day of July, 1840. Mr. Parlin at this time was a young man,
with no capital but a knowledge of his trade blacksmithing,
and a full stock of that indomitable energy for which the New-
England character is celebrated. Not only was Mr. Parlin poor,
but he was lame, and at the same time quiet, unassuming and re-
tiring in his disposition so much so that he attracted no attention.
Mr. Parlin began work as a "jour." for Mr. Culton, and finally,
from his knowledge of his trade, became for a short period a
partner with that gentleman, but soon dissolved the connection
and rented a small shop on the south side of Elm street, near his
present manufactory. Here Mr. Parlin began to attract attention
by his industry and skill. He considered himself too poor to em-
ploy a "helper" in his business, and, with characteristic ingenui-
ty, made for himself a trip-hammer. This hammer was operated
by Mr. Parlin's foot. Many of our old citizens will remember
this hammer.
While working here, Mr. Parlin married Miss Caroline Oren-
dorff, in January, 1845. Miss Orendorff was a daughter of John
Orendorff, Esq.
In 1846 Mr. Parlin purchased from Maj. Lewis Bidamon his
foundry, situated on Main street, corner of Walnut, on the ground
now occupied by the residence of Wm. Seavey, Esq. Mr. Par-
lin began here the general foundry business, but made a few steel
plows.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 121
In January, 1848, this foundry burned to the ground, and
proved a total loss, except a small amount of steel, which was
not injured. This was considered a severe blow by Mr. Parlin,
but did not discourage him. He now rented a fire in the black-
smith-shop of John Culton, on Elm street, north side, between
Third and Fourth streets. Here he began the manufacture of
plows, working up his small stock of steel, forging his plows at
his shop; then wheeling them on a wheelbarrow to McPheters's
oil-mill, on Fourth street to a horse-power grindstone for grind-
ing them, loading them again upon his wheelbarrow, he would
wheel them through the streets to Charley Rockhold's shop, Main
street between Elm and Jones streets, south of the Emory
House.
Thompson Maple, who was at that time the most enterprising
and energetic of our business men, had been noticing the energy
manifested by Mr. Parlin, and proposed to him a partnership.
This arrangement was finally consummated, and the firm of
Maple & Parlin was established for the manufacture of plows
Maple furnishing the capital, and Parlin the skill. The new firm
began business at the corner of Elm and Fourth streets, on the
same corner where Mr. Parlin has since remained. This firm be-
gan business in the summer of 1846, only a few months after the
fire which had apparently been so disastrous.
The firm of Maple & Parlin manufactured the steel mould-
board plow, and were successful to a marked extent. Their suc-
cess and Mr. Parlin's present success may be attributed to the
fact that every plow manufactured had to pass under the eye of
Mr. Parlin, who personally selected all his timber and rejected
every stick that was deficient, allowing no work to leave his shop
that was not done in the most substantial and workmanlike man-
ner. They availed themselves constantly of every improvement
in plows made by other establishments, and Mr. Parlin himself
made the plow a study, thereby enabling himself to perfect many
very valuable improvements by his own ingenuity.
In 1848 or '9, the firm of Maple & Parlin was dissolved by
mutual consent, Mr. Maple retiring Parlin now being able to
stand alone. He continued alone until the 1st of January, 1852,
when, finding his business increasing to so great an extent that
he could no longer attend to his office business and give the at-
tention to the mechanical part of his business he desired, he took
16
122 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
into partnership his brother-in-law Mr. "Wm. J. Orendorff. This
firm has continued since unchanged.
The firm of Parlin & Orendorff continued gradually but con-
stantly to extend their business and facilities for manufacturing,
until they now rank among the first plow-manufacturing estab-
lishments in the Union. Their average force of workmen is now
eighty men in constant employment. In the year 1870 they man-
ufactured 8000 "Canton Clipper" Plows, 3000 "Parlin's Cultiva-
tors," and 600 Stalk-Cutters. Their plows are handled by deal-
ers throughout the Western States, a considerable portion of the
Southern States, the Pacific States, and all the Western Terri-
tories.
In 1855 Messrs. Parlin & Orendorff took the first premium on
plows over all competitors, at the State Fair held at Chicago,
since which time they have succeeded in taking nearly every first
premium for which they have competed.
This manufactory, it will be observed, has been the up-growing
of small business without capital, the result of indomitable ener-
gy, ahd an honest determination to turn out only first-class work.
The poor blacksmith has now, at only fifty-three years of age,
while still in the prime of life, become a great manufacturer a
Plow King, in fact
Parlin's Plow Factory is considered by the people of Canton
one of the institutions of the town of which they are proud, and
well they may be.
INGERSOLL BROTHERS.
J. W. INGERSOLL, of Ithaca, New York, came into the State of
Illinois in the spring of 1837, in the employ of the State, which
was at that time engaged in a stupendous scheme of Railroad
building. Mr. Ingersoll was a civil engineer, and in that capacity
was assigned to duty in the preliminary survey of the Illinois
Central Railroad, from Lasalle south. After a few months' ser-
vice, he was transferred to the survey of the Peoria & Warsaw
Railroad, with headquarters at Canton, Joel Wright being at that
time one of the State Commissioners of Internal Improvements.
Mr. Ingersoll remained in the service of the state until the fall
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 123
of 1839, when himself and his brother H. F. Ingersoll entered
into copartnership, under the name of H. F. & J. W. Ingersoll,
and, purchasing the stock of goods then owned by D. W. Vittum,
began business as general merchants. The store-room was lo-
cated on the southwest corner of the Public Square, in an old
building since removed on the ground now occupied by the
store of J. M. Fox. In the spring 1840 Mr. Yittuni purchased
a one-third interest in the business, and remained in the firm, un-
der the style of Ingersoll & Vittum, until the fall of 1841, when
he purchased the interest of the Brothers Ingersoll.
Ingersoll Brothers immediately began business again on their
own account, under their old firm name of H. F. & J. W. Inger-
soll, occupying a store-room on the northeast corner of the Public
Square, on a lot now vacant, but long since known as " Bass's old
stand," and continued in business in that location until 1843,
when they removed to the lot now occupied by J. E. Bower, on
the east side of the Public Square, where they remained until
1846, when they purchased a store-room of Win. Bell better
known to old settlers as " Bill Bell the Tailor." This store-room
was on the lot now occupied by that portion of Ingersoll's Block
in which J. R. McQuaid is doing business.
In the summer of 1868 Messrs. Ingersoll built the fine business
block, now occupied in part by them, on the west side, at a cost
of $15,000. This is the three-story portion of the Ingersoll
Block. During the season of 1869 they built the two-story por-
tion of the same block, at a cost of $7,000.
The Ingersoll Brothers have from their beginning in Canton
commanded a fair portion of the best trade of the county* Dur-
ing the early years of their business they packed pork and
shipped an immense amount of grain from Copperas Creek and
Liverpool to St. Louis. They still remain in business.
ANECDOTE OF JOHN BE YARD.
AMONG the occasional teamsters to the river was John Bevard,
who drove four horses to an old-fashioned Pennsylvania wagon.
He rode one of the wheel-horses and drove with a single line.
One winter, while the roads were in a desperate condition and
124 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
few teams would venture upon the road, the Ingersoll Brothers
received a new stock of goods at Copperas-Creek Landing.
Bevard with his four-horse team offered to bring one load, and
Hiram Snow another. Snow had a three-horse team, and drove
Yankee fashion with four lines. At night Bevard returned with
his load, and was asked by John Ingersoll if he had seen any
thing of Snow.
"Snow?" said he, "No, I hain't seen any thing of any body."
"Why," said Ingersoll, "you must have met him: he left here
just after you did. He was driving three horses."
" Oh, yes," replied Bevard, reflectively, " I guess I did meet
him, but he won't be back to-night."
"Why not?" queried Ingersoll.
" Why, h 1 ! its impossible ! I could hardly get through with
four horses and one line : how in h 1 do you suppose he can get
here with three horses and four lines ? "
BEGINNING IN THE HIGHER BRANCHES.
I CAN not refrain from giving the following anecdote of William
D. Coleman, which is vouched for by one of the best citizens of
Canton.
Coleman was in Chicago on business, and had put up at the
Tremont. At dinner, and when the immense dining-room was
thronged with guests, a waiter handed him a bill of fare. Taking
it in his'hand, he thus addressed the astonished son of Erin:
"Say, mister, what do you call this?"
"That, sir, is our bill of fare."
" Bill of fare ? What is that ? "
"And sure, sir, don't you know?"
"No-: what is it for?"
" It tells what we 've got for dinner."
"Well, read it for me," said William, in a loud voice that
brought every eye in the dining-room upon him and made broad
smiles to ripple on the faces of the guests.
"Faith, and ca'n't you read, sir?" said Patrick.
"No," replied William, with imperturbable gravity, " daddy be-
gan my eddication in the higher branches, and died afore I had
CANTON J^ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 125
got down to the common studdies, like readin', writin' and
'rithmetic."
Such shouts of laughter as followed this explanation may be
imagined, but not described.
D. C. JONES.
CHEEKY JONES, as he was familiarly called, came to Canton in
the spring of 1835. He married, soon after, Martha Ann Stew-
art, a daughter of Rev. Robert Stewart. Mr. Jones was a chair-
maker by trade, and carried on that business for many years at
the corner of Jones and Main streets. Mr. Jones occupied the
position of chorister in the Congregational Church for rnsny
years He was an industrious man and a man of singularly pure
life, commanding the confidence and esteem of the community to
a very remarkable degree. He died January 29th, 1854. The
Congregational Church Choir have erected a neat marble slab to
his memory in the cemetery.
PARLEY C. STEARNS.
ON the 4th day of July, 183fi, Parley C. Stearns, then a young
man of twenty-three years, landed in Canton, Mr. Stearns came
in company with John Rawalt from Yates county, New York,
making the trip overland in wagons.
Mr. Stearns was a cooper by trade, and for a few years worked
at that business. The same year of his arrival he married Miss
Hannah Rawalt, a daughter of John Rawalt.
In 1837 Mr. Stearns was elected constable for Orion township,
then known as 7 -5; but he did not qualify. In 1839 Mr.
Stearns was elected Justice of the Peace, and with two short in-
termissions has acted in that capacity from that .time until the
present.
Mr. Stearns was admitted to the bar in 1849, since which time
he has been busily and successfully engaged in practice.
In 1846 Mr. Stearns was elected one of the County Commis-
sioners of Fulton county for the term of three years. In 1849
126 CAffTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
he was elected one of the Associate Justices that formed the
county board under the Constitution of 1848.
Mr. Stearns was appointed Postmaster of the City of Canton
in the summer of 1853, which position he retained until 1857.
Mr. Stearns was a Democrat in politics until the rebellion began,
when he became a War-Democrat, and at a later period a Re-
publican. Mr. Stearns was largely influential in the organization
of the 103d Regiment, and was elected Lieutenant-Colonel of
that regiment, but was taken sick soon after joining his regiment
at Peoria, and lay sick several months, which forced him to re-
sign.
Mr. Stearns was closely identified with the earlier movements
looking to the building of the Jacksonville & Savanna Railroad,
and has ever been among the foremost to promote all schemes of
public utility and improvement. He is now, at the age of fifty-
eight, in the full vigor of life, and has lost none of the eloquence
which made him prominent in the early days as one of the best
stump-orators in the county. He is a true friend, a genial gentle-
man, and no man stands higher in the home of his adoption than
does Parley C. Stearns.
CANTON'S PART IN THE MORMON WAR.
DURING the summer of 1846 the Mormon question began to
excite public attention. In Hancock county, it was reported,
depredations were being committed by them on all who were not of
their way of thinking. Mormon outrages no doubt exagger-
ated were constant themes of conversation at every fireside and
social gathering. In Hancock county, outside of Nauvoo, the
excitement had reached the culminating point by about the last
of August. Both parties were making a feeble effort, however,
to keep the law upon their side. The Anti-Mormons had first
sworn out writs for the arrest of Mormons on various charges,
and then, to induce the Mormons to resist the serving of the
processes, had declared that the arrested parties would be mobbed
and murdered if taken. Of course, the Mormons resisted these
writs, and Constable Carlin, whose duty it had been made to
serve them, called out, on the 1st of September, a posse comitatus
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 127
to aid him in the enforcement of the law. The Mormons at once
adopted the same tactics. They, too, had warrants issued for the
apprehension of prominent Anti-Mormons, and threatened to hang
them if arrested. These writs were opposed, and the Mormon
constable called out his posse. Gov. Ford remarks, in his His-
tory of Illinois, that it was "Writ against writ; constable against
constable; law against law; posse against posse."
Some one suggested to the Governor that, if he would send
some commissioned officer with ten men to the scene of action,
with power to enforce the law, they could settle all the questions
at issue. This representation was believed by Gov. Ford, and he
proceeded to act upon it by issuing an order to Maj. James R.
Parker, of Can/on, that he should enlist ten men and proceed at
once to Nauvoo for the adjustment of the difficulties there exist-
ing. He was made commander-in-chief of all militia forces that
might be raised or called into the field, and clothed with the
powers of a plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary.
It happened that the Anti-Mormon leaders were Whigs, and
the Mormons had voted the Democratic ticket at the preceding
Congressional election voted it early and often, according to
the most approved political principles. Hence the Governor, to
in some degree conciliate the " mob," as the Anti-Mormon posse
was designated, had selected Major Parker. In his History of
Illinois Governor Ford says :
"In looking around over the state for this purpose (i. e., the se-
lection of a commander), the choice fell upon Maj. Parker, of
Fulton county. Major Parker was a Whig, and was selected
partly from that reason, believing that a Whig now, as had been
the case before with Gen. Hardin and Major Warren, would have
more influence in restraining the Anti-Mormons than a Democrat.
But Major Parker's character was unknown out of his own county.
Every where else it was taken for granted that he was a Demo-
crat and had been sent over to intrigue with the Mormons. The
Whig newspapers immediately let loose floods of abuse upon
him, both in this state and Missouri, which completely paralyzed
his power to render any effectual service. . The constable's posse
refused to give place to him, and the constable openly declared
that he cared but little for the arrests ; by which it was apparent
that they intended, from the first, to use the process of the law
only as a cover to their design of expelling the Mormons."
128 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
Major Parker received his commission, order and instructions
from the hand of Maj. Lewis Bidamon, the Governor's messen-
ger, on a Saturday evening. Sunday morning he selected and
secured the services of Harrison P. Fellows, Abel H. White,
Isaac C. Johnson, Phillip Grim, jr., Benjamin Perry, Jacob Fox,
John Thorp, Wm. Bell, G. W. Thorn, and Joseph Long, and the
same evening set out in lumber-wagons for the theatre of war,
arriving at Nauvoo by eleven o'clock Monday evening.
Major Parker at once issued a proclamation to the mob com-
manding them to disperse. This proclamtion was received by
them with shouts of derision, and the bearers were treated with
great indignity. Another and another proclamation followed, but
met no better reception.
It now became apparent that proclamations were not exactly
the kind of ammunition with which to strike consternation into
the valorous hearts of the Anti-Mormons. The Governor ac-
cordingly ordered Major Flood, of Adams county, to reinforce
Major Parker with a sufficient volunteer militia force. Major
Flood's commission must have been a unique document, as it
contained a power of sub'stitution, by which he was empowered,
if he could not serve, to hand it over to some one who would.
Major Flood used his power of substitution by turning over his
commission to Major Clifford, who at once repaired to Nauvoo
and, contrary to his instructions, took command of the Mormon
forces. Major Clifford now issued an order directed to Col. John
S. Wycoff, in command of the Fulton county militia regiment, for
a force of three hundred mounted militia. There was no law,
civil or military, under w r hich mounted militia could be called
out. Indeed, "mounted militia" was an arm of the militia which
only had its existence . in the fertile brain of the great Clifford.
The order, however, was received in perfect good faith by Col.
Wycoff, and he at once notified Adjutant Harrison P. Fellows
who had returned from Nauvoo to notify the commanders of
the North and South Canton and Utica militia companies to mus-
ter their men, and from their number to proceed to draft their
proportion of the number of men necessary to fill the call. Ad-
jutant Fellows at once notified First Sergeant, acting Captain,
Geo. S. McConnell, commanding the North-Canton Company;
Lieutenant Joseph Anderson, commanding the South-Canton
Company ; and Captain Wm. Kelso, commanding the Utica Kifle
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 129
Company, ordering them to appear on the 13th or 14th of Sep-
tember, with their men, on the Public Square in Canton.
This order created an intense excitement. Very few of our
citizens sympathized with the Mormons, and they were called up-
on to fight their battles. Meetings were called at once, and the
leading citizens counseled obedience to the order as emanating
from a proper and legal authority, and they were a law-abiding
people.
Sergeant McConnell appointed a full complement of non-com-
missioned officers for his company, making John W. Ingersoll 2d
Sergeant, Tracy Doolittle 3d Sergeant, Abel PL White 4th Ser-
geant. The corporals were Jonathan Niece, 1st; Mahlon PL Hob-
lett, 2d; Thos. Ewing, 3d; and Robert Sebree, 4th. Sergeant
McConnell ordered his non-commissioned staff immediately into
service. It was raining, and most of them, being in business,
were not anxious to face the storm ; but the sergeant was inex-
orable, and, dividing the roll, he gave to each the portion of it he
was to notify, and sent them into the county through the mud and
rain to notify the company to assemble.
When the day came, the different companies assembled on the
Public Square according to order. McConnell found that all his
company had not been notified, and demanded of Col. Wycoff three
more days for that purpose, and at the same time demanded the
presence of the regimental surgeon to examine those who might
claim exemption under the order. This claim was reasonable;
more, it was in strict accordance with the letter and spirit of the
law. Still, it placed Col. Wycoff in a dilemma, as there was no
commissioned surgeon in the regiment, and it was too late to se-
cure a commission for one in time to meet the emergency that
was upon them. After some deliberation, he ordered the com-
pany to hold themselves as minute men, liable to be called to the
front at a moment's notice.
Lieutenant Anderson had his company notified and all on hand.
He proceeded, in accordance with his orders, to draft. His com-
pany were formed in line on Elm and Third streets. The draft
was made in the house still standing then owned by J. B.
Mallory, on the southeast corner of those streets, and immedi-
ately opposite to the City Hotel. The officers of Anderson's com-
pany, so far as the writer has been able to obtain them, were
1st Lieutenant, Joseph Anderson, in command; 2d Lieutenant,
17
130 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
Charles "W. Rockhold ; Orderly-Sergeant, James Ellis ; 2d Ser-
geant, Thompson Maple.
The day was one of great excitement in Canton. Col. Wycoff
and Major Hiram Snow were on the square, calmly contemplating
the military preparations in progress, and counseling the one with
the other, as important orders were to be issued.
Adjutant Fellows, even when acting as Grand Marshal at Dem-
ocratic meetings when Douglas was the speaker, had never shown
to so good an advantage. He was well mounted, had General
Stillman's sword and sash girded upon him. He had appointed
Col. "Wm. Babcock as his aide de camp. The duties of this posi-
tion were very onerous, and consisted of ordering and paying
for drinks for his commander. The adjutant still bears testimony
to the bravery and determination his aide manifested on the oc-
casion, saying that he never faltered or hesitated, but would
plunge into the thickest of the ferocious crowd surrounding
Emory's bar, and order drinks with a coolness and discretion
never too much to be admired. The Col. aide de camp was
mounted on a powerful iron-gray charger, and wore a flaming red
sash. He and the adjutant were dashing hither and yonder, and
added much to the theatrical effect of the scene.
Adjutant Fellows was chief of staff to Col. Wycoff; Col. Wm.
Babcock was chief of staff to Adjutant Fellows ; and now it became
necessary that Col. Babcock should also have a chief of staff. Hon.
A. C. Babcock, then but a young man, saw and appreciated this
necessity, and, with that promptness and courage for which he is
celebrated, determined "to face the terrors i' the imminent and
deadly breach" in his country's service. He soon found a charger
to his mind, and secured its services This charger was a noble ani-
mal of the female persuasion. She was scarcely more than twenty
years old, her architecture of the Gothic order, and in color that
magnificent shade of sorrel which is just blending into tow color,
this mare had a habit of jerking up her hind feet in a rapid and
energetic manner, in splendid contrast with the slower and more
sedate movement of her fore feet; any deficiency in her eyes was
hidden, if not healed, by the wide flaps of the huge "blind
bridle" with which she was guided. In order to show off to its
best advantage the architecture of his steed, Mr. Babcock had,
with his usual sagacity, left off the saddle. Thus mounted, and
dressed to suit his animal and his own view of the importance of
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 131
the occasion, Mr. Bibcock, urging his beast with a lath, galloped
beside his martial brother, and repeated the order he received.
He was careful, however, not to interfere with the colonel's
duties, but found more congenial employment in aiding Adjutant
Fellows in disposing of the drinks his chief of staff ordered.
Thus he fought for the better part of the day, and never mur-
mured even when glasses were presented thick and fast. For his
heroism he received especial commendation from his superior,
who several times, in the heat of the day, with an enthusiastic
appreciation of his merit, would exclaim, " D n you, what are
you following me for? I think you'd better go home and behave
yourself."
When the draft in Anderson's company began, the crowd con-
centrated there, and then began a scene which beggars descrip-
tion. Sergeant Maple held in his hand a "plug-hat," in which
were sixty tickets numbered for Nauvoo, and as many blanks as
there were exemptions. Sergeant Ellis began calling the roll:
" Gilbert Rockhold." Gilbert, trembling in every limb and with
a face as white as the ticket he was so lucky as to draw, presented
himself and drew an exemption. "Glory to God!" he shouted,
as Sergeant Maple announced the result. One by one they came,
in response to the roll-call some bravely like men, some white
with fear; and as any trembler would step out of the ranks,
shouts, jeers and taunts would meet him. Private Vittum
stepped out of the line for a moment, and Private Grim was
ordered to bring him back. Leveling his gun, he was about
to shoot him, supposing, perhaps, he would be easier returned to
the line dead than alive, w T hen Anderson stopped him.
Kelso's company, being independent, were none of them ex-
empt. They were from Utica and its neighborhood. Some of
them brought first-class cases of chills some even the old-
fashioned shaking ague. They were all this while standing on
the sunny side of the street, leaning against buildings and fences,
and enjoying themselves bottom-fashion by shaking, until, it is re-
ported, they loosened the mortar in several brick walls. N. B.
They were not scared; they were only enjoying themselves with
their customary shake.
Anderson ordered his drafted men to report the next morning
for the trip to the scene of carnage that awaited them. That
night many tears were shed by weeping wives and disconsolate
132 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
mothers, and sad parting words were pronounced. At dawn
they began to come in and report, but were soon, to their infinite
gratification, released by an order from Col. Wycoff, who had
learned from some source that the order of Major Clifford was
bogus.
Thus ended Canton's part in the Mormon "War.
THE WHISKY WAR.
\
IN' 1855, the town council, acting in accordance with the desire
of the people of Canton as expressed by their votes, passed a
very stringent prohibitory liquor-law. This law was openly set
at defiance by some of the liquor-sellers. They not only con-
tinued to sell, but sold, in at least one case, in an open and defi-
ant manner. These parties selling liquor were arrested, and one
of them, finding that the suit was likely to go against him, pro-
posed a compromise with the city, agreeing, if the suit against
him was dropped and the city council would pay the cost of the
suit, giving him fifteen days to close out his stock, he would close
out his establishment and quit the business. This compromise
was agreed to by the city, but violated by Mr. Mallory, it was
claimed, and that he went on from bad to worse. Other prosecu-
tions were brought against him, which he appealed, and, when
they were brought to trial in the circuit court, obtained a change
of venue to Mason county, showing a determination to contest
the law, as he had an undoubted right to.
The temperance ladies of Canton were very much dissatisfied
with the slow progress being made in closing up the offending
saloons, and finally determined to take the subject into their own
hands. Secret meetings of ladies were held to consider the ways
and means by which the sale of liquor could be stopped, and a
plan of action was finally agreed upon. It has been asserted that
women can not keep a secret. This was proved to be a mistake
in this case, at least. So secretly had the women moved that Mr.
Mallory, the chief of the offenders, entirely unsuspecting, and
with no premonition of the fate that awaited his whisky-barrels,
went to St. Louis to make additions to his already large stock.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 133
The firm of Charles Smith & Co., doing business on the south
side of the Public Square, had been holding a series of ladies'
auctions, at which they were disposing of a considerable stock of
ladies' fancy goods. To this auction, on Friday, the 4th day of
April, 1856, the ladies, by previous understanding, came. The
auction began about one o'clock, and it was observed that the
crowd began to collect in the auction-room at an early hour. The
auctioneer was delighted at the great numbers of ladies who sur-
rounded his stand, and cried himself hoarse with praises of his
goods ; but, to his astonishment, no body bid. The women con-
tinued to collect, coming in twos and threes, all wearing shawls
or cloaks, although the day was bland and pleasant, until about
two hundred had collected.
From some expressions let fall in the auction-room, it began to
be understood upon the street that " Sebastopol," as Mallory's
saloon was called, was to be taken. Mr. Mallory being from
home, his friends determined to volunteer in his defense; and ac-
cordingly quite a number of them took their positions at the en-
trance to the building, which was securely barricaded, deter-
mined, as they averred, to defend the establishment at the peril
of their lives, if it need be. Among the defenders of the gro-
cery were a constable then serving a term in an adjoining town-
ship, a man of nerve, and whose veracity has never been called
in question, who addressed a crowd of several hundred men and
boys gathered before the door, urging them to aid in protecting
the property of the saloon-keeper, at the same time swearing that no
woman could enter the door without passing over his dead body.
This gentleman little dreamed how soon the death he was invok-
ing might be staring him in the face.
When the time for action came, over two hundred of the most
prominent women of Canton marched out of the auction-store
and arranged themselves in columns, two by two, on the Public
Square. The excitement by this time was growing intense.
Every body, male and female, appeared to be upon the Public
Square, either as lookers-on or participants in the mob, upon the
one side or the other. As the Amazonian column formed, a citi-
zen stepped up to the leader and urged her to desist, saying that
the proprietor of " Sebastopol" was not at home, and urging them
at least to give him a chance to defend himself. The ladies re-
sponded that they were convened for business, and that business
must go on.
134 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
The line of march was now taken up, the leader carrying a
short sword in her hand, which she flourished in quite a martial
manner. Arriving at the door, the crowd parted, except that
three or four determined fellows maintained themselves before
the door. One of these, the constable referred to above, de-
clared his determination to resist the onslaught, and declared, in
response to the quiet and low-spoken " Stand aside, gentlemen : we
are going in there," of the leader, himself as ready for the sacri-
fice by the remark : "Not by ad d sight: you ain't going in
unless you go over my dead body." Mr. Constable was a brave
man ; Mr. Constable was a man of truth ; therefore it can not be
doubted that he met with a bloody death right there, as, within
one minute after his self-sacrificing declaration, the door against
which he and two or three more braves were standing was shiv-
ered to a thousand fragments, by blows well and vigorously aimed
from gleaming hatchets that leaped out from the cover of two
hundred shawls in unison. Mr. Constable, therefore, must have
perished, fallen gloriously at his post of duty, then and there.
And now let it be recorded, in passing, that Spiritualism, how-
ever much its followers may be reviled, has been proved true be-
yond a cavil, as it can be proved that the freed spirit of the gen-
tleman from "Orion" has been seen at frequent intervals in his
old haunts -not as an ethereal and fleeting shadow not as an
undefined and undefinable sigh or breath of vapor, but in form,
size, shape and voice as natural as when, in the vigor of his man-
hood, he stood up in defense of that spm'tf-ualism he loved.
The door of "Sebastopol" demolished, the work of demolition
began. Bottles, unoffending candy-jars, glasses, decanters, all
were smashed into a thousand fragments, and shelving and coun-
ters shared the same fate. The cellar contained a large quantity
of liquors. This was invaded, and barrels were knocked in, until
the spirituous flood had accumulated on the cellar-floor to the
depth of several inches, when they bailed it out and threw it in-
to the street, determined none should be saved. Some of the
women had a lighted candle in this cellar, and it was almost a
miracle that they had not set fire to the spilled liquor and all have
perished with the object of their wrath:
By the time their destruction of "Sebastopol" had been com-
pleted, the fumes of the liquor had ascended to their nostrils, and
it is no exaggeration to say that one-half of the ladies were, as tern-
4 i?*-
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 135
perance advocates, in magnificent order to furnish the fearful ex-
ample for any ambitious temperance orator who might secure their
services. About twenty barrels of liquor, besides his saloon and
bar-fixtures, were destroyed for Mr. Mallory.
This work completed, they reorganized and marched to the
grocery of Mr. Butters, on Main street, just south of the Public
Square. Mr. Butters sold nothing stronger than beer, and rolled
out the only barrel of it in his possession on the sidewalk, willing
to sacrifice it rather than trust the now infuriated Amazonian
army within his establishment. This barrel of beer was at once
demolished and the line of march again resumed.
There was a rectifying establishment, kept by Lamon & Childs,
near the present cemetery. Thither the ladies marched, and
there, after overawing a feeble effort at resistance on the part of
the proprietors, marched in and destroyed about thirty barrels of
whisky and highwines.
This establishment destroyed, they returned to the Square and
invaded the office of Col. Wm. Babcock, who had a barrel of un-
tapped whisky there, that he was saving for domestic use after
his boy, then a babe, should become of age. The ladies will
probably remember why they did not destroy this barrel.
All the liquor of which the ladies knew having been destroyed,
they reconvened at the auction-store and passed the following
resolution :
WHEREAS, We, the ladies of Canton, being wives, mothers, sisters, and
daughters, have experienced the dread calamity of seeing our husbands,
sons and brothers, made drunkards by the lawless rumsellers of our town,
and having seen the law tried to be enforced in vain ; and whereas, those
engaged in the damning business of rumselling have been appealed to in
vain by moral suasion, to desist and save the peace of our families ; we have
therefore, in defense of our firesides, and with a view to save from destruc-
tion those most dear to us on earth, been compelled to destroy the spirituous
liquors in our city, and it is now
Resolved, That, as often as the practice is resumed in Canton or vicinity,
we will rid '"ourselves of its curse, peaceably if we can, forcibly if we
must.
Canton, April 4, 1856.
Thus was liquor at least until a new stock could be procured
put down by the ladies of Canton.
During the day several fights occurred, between parties who
were in sympathy with the ladies on the one side and with the
saloon-keepers on the other.
136 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
For a short time the work of that Friday appeared to have
been productive of good; but it begot a reaction that I am now
satisfied has done more to do permanent injury to the temperance
cause than any thing that has ever occurred here. The ; ladies
were not held legally responsible for their action, it is true : suits
were, indeed, commenced, but compromised. The laws were
sufficient to have stopped the sale of liquor, and mob-law is sel-
dom justified, even where the provocation is much greater than
it was in this case.
J. B. COYKENDALL,
from Allegheny county, New York, was one of the immigrants
who came in during the latter part of the year 1835. He was a
worker in metal, maker of edge-tools, augers, hammers, etc. His
shop was established on Cole street, where he did general black-
smithing.
To Mr. Coykendall is due the credit of doing the first casting
ever done in Fulton county. This job was a pair of small burrs
for grinding flax-seed, and was done for the McPheeters Oil-
Mill. His furnace was an ordinary blacksmith's forge with two
pairs of bellows. In this forge was fixed an immovable crucible,
made with ordinary brick clay. The crucible had a hole and plug
for letting out the metal. His moulds were constructed from or-
dinary sand, and it is said that he succeeded in doing a very
creditable job. "When the pioneer blast was made, nearly the
entire population of the village were present to witness it.
Coykendall afterward removed, and for many years resided in
Peoria county, but is now living at Farmington, in Fulton county,
aged 74 years, and still quite hale and hearty. His sons, Duke
B., A. J. and Jonathan, will be remembered by all the older resi-
dents. All are still living : D. B. and A. J. in Yates City, and
Jonathan in Farmington, where he is a successful and enterprising
business man.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 137
THE SWINETTE.
EARLY settlers were not always verdant, whatever appearance
of rural simplicity they might have presented to the eyes of the
citizens of the few cities to which they occasionally strayed. '
Shaphet Dwire was an instance of the truth of this remark.
Soon after beginning business in Canton, he had occasion to visit
'St. Louis for goods. The merchant from whom his stock was
purchased, thinking to show his customer courtesy, invited him
to tea at his house. Dwire accepted the invitation. During the
evening, the merchant, having occasion to step out for a few mo-
ments, left two aristocratic and conceited city belles, who were
stopping at his house, to entertain Dwire. These ladies, understand-
ing tljat Dwire was from the country s determined to have some
fun at his expense, and began quizzing him. Dwire saw their
game, and at once began playing "greeny," playing it to perfec-
tion. Noticing a piano in the room, he said :
" Gals, what on airth do you have yer tables so high fur?"
" Oh, sir, that is not a table : that is a piano."
"A pianner? What on airth is that?"
"It is a musical instrument: did you never see one?"
"A musical instrument? Gosh, I'd like to hear you blow on
her."
One of the ladies opened the piano and played several short
selections, Dwire expressing his gratification by such ejaculations
as " Gosh ! " " Golly ! " "Ain't that are scrumptious ! " and other
equally classic phrases.
The lady soon shut up the instrument, and, turning to Mr.
Dwire, the following dialogue occurred:
"Why, la, Mr. Dwire, do not the ladies have musical instru-
ments where you live?"
"Oh, yes, our gals all play on the swinette."
"The swinette? why, I never heard of that instrument : pray
tell us what is it like. How do they play it ? "
" Oh, it 's the golfiredest, nicest instrument you ever seed. They
just catch a pig, you see, and put it under their arms like a bag-
pipe, and bite the pig's tail till it squeals, then squeeze the pig."
The ladies concluded they had paid a little too much for their
fun, and made no more sport of Dwire.
18
138 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
CANTON FAIRS.
THE first Agricultural Fair held in Fulton county was held at
Canton, on the Hannan Farm, in the fall of 1852. At that time
the 'Fulton County Agricuitural Society had no existence. Some
of the citizens of Canton determined to hold a fair on their own
account. Meetings were accordingly held, ground selected, offi-
cers chosen, and all arrangements made. The county at large
was invited to participate, and the result was quite a respectable
exhibition. At this fair the Fulton County Agricultural Society
was brought into existence.
The second and several subsequent fairs were held first at
Cuba, then at Lewistown, and at Vermont.
In the fall of 1856 for the second time a fair was held at Can-
ton this time being the Third Annual Fair of the Fulton County
Agricultural Society. The fair ground on this occasion was
located on South-Main street, in what was then known as
Wright's pasture, near the Stroud place. This fair attracted a
great crowd of people for that day, and was a complete success.
No admittance fee was charged, and one enterprising politician
improved the occasion to address the assembled multitude on
political topics, much to the disgust of the party opposed to him
in politics. A ladies' equestrian display was the one memorable
feature of the fair, and one of the fair riders, Miss Lydia Maria
Antonetta Shipley, was thrown from her animal, but recovered
her saddle almost instantly, without assistance, and before any of
the gallants could reach her with their proffers of assistance,
amid the cheers of the crowd.
Between 1856 and 1866 the fairs of the Fulton County Agri-
cultural Society had been held at Lewistown. These fairs had not
been to any considerable extent successful, and in consequence
the society was in a languishing condition. In 1866, the mem-
bers of the society, feeling a determination to make their fairs
more successful, elected a new board of officers and voted to re-
move the fairs to Canton.
The citizens of Canton at once took a deep and active interest
in the society, and set to work in the most praiseworthy manner
to make the fairs not only successful, but to place them in the
very front rank among the county fairs of the United States. A
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 139
joint-stock company was accordingly formed, which purchased
twenty-five acres of the Anderson farm, lying in the southeastern
angle formed by the intersection of the branch of the C. B. &
Q. with the T. P. & "W. Railroad. The site selected is on a
high level prairie, commanding a view of a considerable portion
of the city, and was a most admirable selection of ground for the
purpose. This ground was purchased independent of the so-
ciety, but the grounds were donated to the society free of rent
for the term of ninety-nine years. The citizens of Canton and
vicinity now subscribed $5,000 for the purpose of fencing and
the erection of the necessary buildings, stock stalls, etc.
The directors of the society, recognizing the spirit of liberal
enterprise thus manifested by the citizens of Canton, appointed
an executive committee consisting of five persons, residents of
Canton, to superintend the erection of buildings, fencing, and
making all necessary arrangements for the fair. This committee
consisted of Messrs. J. H. McCall, A. B. Hulit, A. C. Babcock,
D. W. Vittum, jr., and Townsend Atwater. This committee
proceeded at once to business, and erected a large, substantial
and convenient hall, fifty by one hundred feet; an amphitheatre
capable of seating 1,000 persons, with booths for the sale of re-
freshments underneath; with all the necessary offices, stables,
stock-pens, a fine judges' stand, and prepared a half-mile track
for exhibition purposes. The society furnished $5,000, and the
whole amount was judiciously expended in preparing these
grounds.
From the fair of this year 1866 $4,000 were realized, and
thus the society was placed upon a sound financial basis, and
Canton Fairs from that time began to be famous.
In 1867 the society realized $6,000 from its fair; in 1868, over
$7,000; in 1869, nearly $9,000. In 1868 another amphitheatre
was added, with a large dining-hall and kitchen attached; ad-
ditional sheds for carriages, implements and tools were erected,
and large additions made to the number of stalls and stock-pens.
In 1869 the number of entries had reached 2,300, and the fair
was one of the most successful ever held by any county in the
West; while that of 1870 was even more successful, being in
close competition with the State Fair.
140 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
MAHLON S. HOBLETT
CAME to Canton in 1840, and established himself in the mercantile
business on the east side of the Public Square, in Neece's build-
ing, and remained there until 1841. In 1841 he and John G.
Piper were in business together, making flax-seed oil, they hav-
ing rented McPheeters's oil-mill, which stood on Fourth street be-
tween Elm and Union. Mr. Hoblett was also a partner of Mr.
Piper in the establishment of the carding machine which was the
beginning of Piper's Woolen Factory. Mr. Hoblett left Canton
in 1848, removing to Logan county. In 1857 he removed to
Minnesota, where he remained until his death in 1868.
JOHN COLEMAN, SENIOR.
FEW of the early settlers were better known that John Cole-
man. He came to the state in the fall of 1826, from New Jersey,
making the trip overland, bringing, in addition to his household
goods and a family of twelve children leaving two more in New
Jersey five wagon-loads of dry goods, groceries, etc., purchased
in New- York City. Mr. Coleman settled at first in a log cabin
which stood on the block now occupied by Mrs. N. B. Childs, on
Wood street. Here he displayed for sale the first goods ever
brought to Canton for sale. Mr. Coleman did not arrange his
goods at first on shelves and sell them over counters, as is the
custom to-day, but left his bales and boxes of goods under beds,
beside the walls, and wherever he could find a place for them.
His customers were, in addition to the few neighbors who were
in the vicinity, Indians, and he had as many as two hundred red
customers at one time, on certain occasions.
Mr. Coleman had bought, before removing to Canton, seven
quarter-sections of land in one body, adjoining and north of the
town-plat of Canton. On this land he erected a building, and
about 1829 obtained a tavern license. He called his house the
" Traveler's Rest," and no house in the Military Tract was better
known to travelers.
Mr. Coleman kept a grocery and some goods on his farm until
i
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 141
the storm in 1835, when his store-room was blown away, and a
large lot of clocks and Mackinaw blankets from his stock scattered
broadcast over the prairie. Mr. Coleman was a trading man,
and as such had " a faculty." He made money while he lived,
and left a fine estate to his children. He was a very powerful
man, about 5 feet 10 inches in hight, and would weigh about 200
ft>s. He died in May, 1835 at the age of 63 years.
PARLIAMENTARY.
ONE winter, not many years ago, a number of the young busi^
ness men organized a " Mutual Improvement Society." On one
occasion some cause of disaffection sprang up in the society,
which came near resulting in the expulsion of some of the mem-
bers. The offending members were not finally expelled, but were
permitted one by one to withdraw the withdrawal being pre-
ceded by a motion for permission. These motions had in each
case come from the offending parties, one moving for the benefit
of another, until but one of the disaffected, and that one William
Gearhardt, remained; William looked around, appealing to the
remaining members, expecting some of them to make the neces-
sary motion for his benefit; but it was not made. Finally he
arose and said, "Mr. President, I move that William Gearhardt
be permitted to withdraw from this society, and I second the mo-
tion." The motion was considered by the speaker, amidst the
laughter of the society, and carried by a unanimous vote
William voting in the affirmative.
IN FORM.
IN a school-district not outside the limits of Fulton county, and
not less than twenty years ago, the directors were called upon to
certify to the schedule of the teacher, to enable him to draw his
salary. Their certificate, for legal accuracy, has rarely been sur-
passed. It read :
142 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
We, A. B., C. D., and E. F., School Directors of District No. , do certify
that G. H. has taught school for the full length of time of three months,
and that there is now due the said G. H. dollars and cents.
Witness our hands.
A. B., [L.S.]
C. D., [L.S.]
E. F., IL.S.]
The directors were exceedingly astonished at having this cer-
tificate returned to them for correction, when it was in the exact
language of the statute.
NOT PREPARED.
ON one occasion a distinguished temperance orator from abroad
had been extensively advertised to lecture in the Congregational
Church. The evening came and the house was filled to its utmost
capacity, but no speaker came. Wm. H. Haskell, Esq., had at
his office a carefully-written temperance oration, and it was de-
termined by some of the leading men that he should supply the
vacant stand. Haskell hurried to his office, put his oration in his
pocket, and returned. The president of the evening, after ex-
plaining the absence of the expected speaker, announced Mr. Has-
kell. Mr. Haskell ascended the rostrum, and in his blandest and
most silvery tones said :
" MK. PRESIDENT, LADIES,.AND GENTLEMEN : It is a totally un-
expected honor conferred upon me in being called upon to fill the
place of the distinguished gentleman who was to have addressed
you. And I am the more embarrassed in responding to this call,
from the fact that I am entirely unprepared to say any thing on
the subject." Here he drew from his pocket an immense roll of
manuscript, which he deliberately unfolded, and read in a most
effective style to the audience, to their great delectation, consid-
ering his lack of preparation.
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 143
CANTON'S MANUFACTURES.
FOUNDRIES AND MACHINE-SHOPS.
IN the fall of 1838, James Whiting established the first foun-
dry and machine-shop in Canton. This establishment was in a
large frame building erected for the purpose, on Wood street,
between Union and Illinois streets, just north of Hon. A. C.
Babcock's present residence. Mr. Whiting soon took into part-
nership Louis Sovereign. Messrs. Whiting & Sovereign con-
tinued in business together until the fall of 1840, when Mr.
Whiting was taken sick, and, after a continued illness of nine
months, died in the summer of 1841.
The business, suspended by Mr. Whiting's sickness, was never
resumed. His widow continued to reside here until her death,
a few years since, and his son, Hugh Whiting, is still residing
here.
In about 1843, Maj. Lewis Bidamon, who had purchased the
Ellis Steam-Mill property on Main street, decided to turn it into
a foundry. He carried this immediately into effect, and did here
a general foundry and machine business until 1846, when he sold
out to Wm. Parlin.
In about 1854 or '5, Messrs. J. & J. M. Savill established
a foundry and machine-shop on Cole street, at the north end of
South-Second street. This firm did business until in 1859, when
they dissolved.
JAMES SAVILL'S FOUNDRY.
Mr. James Savill continued to run the J. & J. M. Savill Foun-
dry after the dissolution of that firm and is still engaged in the
business. Mr. Savill's establishment now runs four hands in the
general foundry and machine business, having an eight-horse-
power engine, four lathes, and other machinery. Mr. Savill man-
ufactures agricultural implements, boilers, saw-mills, etc.
144 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
J. M. SAVILL'S FOUNDRY AND MACHINE-SHOP.
Mr. J. M. Savill, in 1859, established a foundry and machine*
shop on Cole street, corner of First street. He began with a six*
horse-power engine, a small amount of machinery, and a working
force, himself included, of only six hands. His business has
been gradually extending ever since. In 1862 he put up a twelve-
horse-power engine, making at the same time important arid ex-
tensive additions to his machinery.
Mr. Savill now employs a constant force of ten hands. He
manufactures steam-engines, force pumps, cane mills, corn-shel-
lers, field rollers, trip-hammers, and does mill work and repairing
of all kinds.
Mr. Savill is a native of Lancashire, England. He immigrated
to this county in 1844. He contemplates, as rapidly as possible,
extending his business.
CIGAR MANUFACTORIES.
Prior to 1855 there had been no manufactures of cigars in Can-
ton. There may have been a few made by isolated individuals
for home consumption, but not as a business. On the 12th of
November, 1855,
MR. E. H. CURTISS opened a small shop in D. M. Smith's store-
room, on Union street, for the manufacture and sale of cigars,
Mr. Curtiss and his brother, J. J. Curtiss, attending to sales and
doing all the work.
Mr. Curtiss remained in this location until 1856, when he re-
moved to the old A. S. Steel store, on the east side of the Public
Square since burned down and enlarged his business to some
extent. By close attention to the selection of stock and applica-
tion to business, Mr. Curtiss continued to meet with a success so
marked as to make it necessary still further to increase his busi-
nesss: accordingly, in 1859 he removed to a larger room, owned
by David Grim, on the east side of the Public Square, where
Baughman's store, in Union Block, now stands. Here he con-
tinued to increase his business until, in 1863, he was forced to
make another removal, to the old Maple corner, on the southeast
corner of the Public Square. He has remained in this location
ever since now eight years, and has now in constant employ
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 145
twelve hands in rolling cigars, employing in the various processes
of his manufactory nineteen hands, and paying out $12,000 an-
nually for hired help.
In 1870 Mr. Curtiss manufactured, in round numbers, 360,000
cigars, and expects to increase it the coming year, 1871, to
600,000.
Mr. Curtiss has already established a reputation for his cigars
that is worth a fortune to him. Throughout the eight or ten
towns immediately surrounding scarcely any other cigars are
sold. His brands are also well known over most of the eastern
and northern portions of the state, while he has customers from
Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and as far west as Salt-Lake City.
This establishment, from a very small beginning, has grown to
be an important manufacturing establishment, by the tact, energy
and square dealing of its founder. It has grown from an estab-
lishment occupying one small room to one occupying a principal
store-room 21 by 80 feet; a basement of the same size; about one-
third of the second story of the same building; and the entire
fourth story of the same.
Mr. Curtiss is now but in the prime of life, and it is fair to
presume that his business is scarcely begun.
DEAN & ARMSTRONG were the next firm to engage in Cigar-
making. They began business December 1st, 1869, in the Gra-
ham building, but afterward removed to the east side of the Pub-
lic Square, over Olds & Smith's grocery-store.
Messrs. Dean & Armstrong employ five hands in their business.
In 1870 they manufactured one hundred and fifty thousand cigars,
and expect during 1871 to reach two hundred and fifty thousand.
They find a constantly-increasing demand for their cigars, and in
consequence are constantly increasing the extent of their works.
The average wages of cigar-makers is about fifteen dollars per
week; and as twenty-three hands find employment, it will be
seen that three hundred and forty-five dollars per week are paid
out regularly for this branch of manufacture alone.
HOFFMAN & SON'S STAR WAGON MANUFACTORY.
In 1862, Mr. Hoffman, the proprietor of the "Star Wagon
Manufactory," came to Canton from Missouri, where he had been
driven out by the rebels. Mr. Hoffman began business as a job-
19
146 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
bing blacksmith immediately, with two sets of blacksmith tools
and fifty dollars cash capital, and a large family to support.
Renting Miller's blacksmith shop, he soon found all the work him-
self and one hand could do, ironing wagons and buggies, making
miners' tools, and jobbing. His business continuing to increase,
after having purchased the house and lot on which he resides on
Walnut street, he purchased a lot on Elm street, west of Parlin
& Orendorff's Plow Factory, and began the manufacture of the
Star Wagon in 1865.
In 1867 he took in as a partner Mr. A. Lay ton, who brpught a
small amount of capital into the firm and enabled them to make
some additions to their facilities for manufacturing. They now
added the manufacture of Hyer's Horse Hay-Forks, and increased
their force on wagons.
Early in 1869 Mr. Hoffman bought out the interest of Mr. Lay-
ton and took his son into partnership, under the present firm name.
They have continued to enlarge and increase their business, until
at present they employ never less than ten first-class workmen,
and have made during 1870 sixty Star Wagons, besides hay-forks
and general jobbing to a considerable amount.
Messrs. Hoffman & Son's wagons are all made of excellent se-
lected materials, and are already acquiring an enviable reputation
wherever known. They express a determination to continue to
keep up the reputation of their work, and it is safe to predict
that the " Star Wagon Manufactory" will in a few years be ranked
among the most important manufacturing establishments in this
section.
PIPER'S WOOLEN FACTORY.
In 1844 John G. Piper opened a small wool-carding establish-
ment on the southeast corner of Main and Cole streets. He be-
gan with one set of custom cards, operated by horse power, and
run only during the " carding season," being suspended a con-
siderable portion of each year. Mr. Piper set out with a deter-
mination to give satisfaction to his customers, and succeeded so
well that in 1846 he found it necessary to add another set of cus-
tom cards, and change his power from horse power to that afford-
ed by a steam-engine of six-horse power. In 1850 he put up
four power looms, and a spinning jack with one hundred and fifty
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 147
spindles, beginning the manufacture of woolen goods of various
kinds, also adding one set of manufacturing cards. Since that
time his business has been constantly increasing, and he has been
extending his facilities for manufacturing, until he now runs two
sets of manufacturing cards; two sets of custom cards; two spin-
ning jacks with a total of four hundred and fifty spindles; to-
gether with all needful machinery for coloring and finishing
cloths.
Mr. Piper manufactured last year, in round numbers, $40,000
worth of goods, employing in his establishment thirty hands,
paying $10,000 to his employes as wages. His goods consist of
cassimeres, tweeds, jeans, satinets, flannels, blankets, and stocking
yarn. His goods have established themselves upon their merits
throughout a considerable portion of Illinois, Missouri, and Kan-
sas. The reputation of Mr. Piper's manufactures is deservedly
very high, and wherever known their sale is immense.
Mr. Piper's motto seems to have been to sell nothing but a first-
class article at the very lowest price for which it can be afforded.
By pursuing this policy, from a very small beginning he has been
able to build up one of the largest and most important manufac-
turing establishments in our city, and is another exemplification of
the fact that with Canton's facilities for manufacture in the shape
of cheap and good coal, abundance and accessibility of water,
facilities for transportation, and fertility of soil, thereby affording
abundance of cheap food for operatives, it only requires energy,
fair dealing and time to build up from the smallest beginning the
largest manufactory.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
ON the 14th of March, 1868, the store of Amos C. Babcock
was burned. The loss by this fire footed up about $50,000, most
of which was covered with insurance. This was the most exten-
sive conflagration the business part of the city had ever been sub-
jected to. Immediately after this fire, Messrs. Amos Babcock,
Wm. Babcock and Amos C. Babcock deposited with Mr. Heald,
at that time Mayor of the city, the sum of $500, on the condition
that it should be appropriated toward the purchase of the neces-
148 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
_
sary apparatus for the organization of a hook-and-ladder com-
pany, should such a company be formed, or toward the purchase
of a fire engine; that if neither were procured, the sum should be
appropriated for the benefit of the poor of the city.
This munificent donation by the Messrs. Babcock stirred up
the city fathers to action. Accordingly, on the 10th of April,
1868, they passed an ordinance for the organization of a Fire De-
partment, and establishing fire limits, within which wooden build-
ings were not to be erected. The fire limits were to consist of
" all that part of the city embraced within the territory beginning
at the southeast corner of Illinois and Wood streets; thence east
to the west line of Prairie street; thence south to the north line
of Pine (now Jones) street; thence west to the east line of Wood
street; thence north to the place of beginning." The council ap-
pointed Mr. Wm. B. Gleason Chief of the Fire Department, and
Mr. John Bailey Assistant. Mr. Gleason had had considerable
experience east as a fireman, was a gentleman of fine executive
ability, and eminently qualified for the position of chief engineer.
Under his direction a hook-and-ladder company was at once or-
ganized, consisting of the following men: A. D. Troxell,
W. E. Ware, R. C. Snyder, Arthur Ray, Wm. H. Black, H.
B. Shaw, R. W. Dewey, J. H. Sebree, H. C. Bolton, H. O. Coy-
kendall, W. D. Johnson, H. S. Steach, A. Layton, D. W. Snyder,
Wilber Plattenburg, O. F. Burton, Wm. Wallace, Barnard Carlan,
W. A. Simmons, C. M. Birch, M. S. Poorman, A. F. Small, B. F.
Jordan, W. P. Tanquary, M. Augustine, C. W. Wills, J. C. Belt,
W. H. Hollar, M. E. Danielson Robt. Livers, C. Wilson, Adrian
Roberts, H. A. Shaw, James Kelley, Andrew Ronk. Officers
Elected Foreman, Barnard Carlan; Assistant Foreman, Alf. D.
Troxell; Secretary, Hugh Shaw; Treasurer, Chris. Wilson.
On the 16th of June a bucket company was organized, with
George Coleman as President, John Tanner Vice-President, J. L.
Small Secretary, and Adam Haynes Treasurer. Mr. Gleason pro-
ceeded to drill these companies, and soon established among them
such a state of discipline as augured well for their efficiency in
case of need.
In September, 1868, a movement was inaugurated by the fire-
men looking to the purchase of an engine. Subscription-papers
were circulated among the citizens, and about $400 subscribed.
The city government appropriated something over $300 more,
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 149
and in 1869 an engine, hose, hose-cart, and all necessary appara-
tus, were purchased.
In August, 1868, the roster of the Fire Department bore the
following names: Chief Engineer, Wm. B. Gleason; Assistant
Engineer, John Bailey. HooJc-and- Ladder Company Fore-
man, Barnard Carlan; Assistant Foreman, A. D. Troxell; Secre-
tary, Hugh B. Shaw; Treasurer, Chris. Wilson. W. E. Ware,
R. C. Snyder, Arthur Kay, W. H. Black, R. W. Dewey, jr., J.
H. Sebree, H. C. Bolton, H. O. Coykendall, W. D. Johnson, H.
S. Steach, Alex. Layton, D. W. Snyder, Wilber Plattenburg, O.
F. Burton, W. K. Wallace, W. A. Simmons, C. M. Birch, A. F.
Small, B. F. Jordan, Geo. A. Black, M. Augustine, C. W. Wills,
J. C. Belt, W. H. Holler, M. E. Danielson, T. J. Moore, Adrian
Roberts, H. R. Shaw, W. L. Gosnell, A. J. Ronk, M. S. Poorman.
Standard Bearers, Johnny Fleming, Charlie Babcock. Bucket
Company Foreman, John Coleman; Assistant Foreman, John
Tanner; Secretary, J. L. Small; Treasurer, A. R. Haynes. H. H,
Clingenpeel, Cal. Armstrong, Adam Yako, J. J. Dolan, Wm.
Gallagher, Thomas Conlin, S. J. Mann, Charles Fellows, A. M.
Moore, G. W. King, Charles Smith, J. E. McGrath, E. R. Bags-
ley, J. H. Wycoff, Jos. Eyerly, Thos. Dailey, James Finan,
Samuel Freaner, Samuel Mallory. H. H. Fellows, Owen Carney,
Albert Mann, I. P. Weed, Freeman Miller, Joshua Belt, Daniel
Morrow.
The hook-and-ladder company had received the name of the
" Regulator," in honor of Hon. A. C. Babcock's place of business,
the burning of which had led to its organization. The bucket
company was called the "Deluge." On the arrival of the engine,
the bucket company was reorganized into an engine company,
retaining the name, and retaining also its old officers.
In 1869 the city erected an engine-house, on Prairie street, be-
tween Jones and Elm streets. This is a good, substantial brick
edifice, containing a calaboose and engine-room. In 1870 the
city purchased an alarm-bell for this house.
To give some idea of the efficiency of the Fire Department
under Mr. Gleason's management, it may not be amiss to state
that on the occasion of a public parade, in the summer of 1870,
the Deluge Company started with their engine from the north-
west corner of the Public Square, crossed to the cistern on the
south side, dropped their suction-hose into the cistern, run out 150
150 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
feet of hose, and played through an inch nozzle 100 feet, in one
and one-half minutes. They challenge any company to beat it.
The city has been very liberal with the department, having uni-
formed the different companies in excellent style.
Mr. Gleason still continues Chief (1871), and Mr. Bailey As-
sistant. In 1870 the members of the department presented to
Mr. Gleason an elegant silver-headed cane, costing about $40,
and to Mr. Bailey, at the same time, a magnificent meerschaum
pipe, costing about $30, as a token of the esteem in which those
gentlemen were held by their subordinates.
WM. SEAVY.
WM. SEAVY, who may justly be called the pioneer of da-
guerreotype, ambrotype, melainotype, photograph business, came
to Canton in May, 1851, and at once established himself in busi-
ness. Mr. Seavy had been engaged in the business for ten years
prior to his settlement here, traveling all over New England and
Canada. The first pictures he took here included those of
Beacon Nathan Jones, Joel Wright, Uncle Lyman Walker, Major
Oliver Shepley, A. C. Thompson, and many others of the old set-
tlers. In 1851 he married Miss Harriet E. Culton.
Mr. Seavy took the first ambrotype, the first melainotype and
the first photograph ever taken in Canton. He exhibited his
pictures at the State Fair' at Springfield in 1854, taking the first
premium over all competitors; also taking the first premium at the
State Fairs held at Peoria in 1857, and Quincy in 1864. Mr.
Seavy has been justly ranked among the first artists in the West
in his chosen profession, and his work is fully equal to that of the
first artist of the country, keeping pace with all modern improve-
ments.
DEACON NATHAN JONES.
DEACON NATHAN JONES, who laid out the first and several sub-
sequent additions to the Town of Canton, was a native of the
State of New York. Jones there married Matilda Swan, and, in
company with his brother-in-law, Isaac Swan, emigrated to Illi-
CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY. 151
nois in an early day. They came to Canton in 1824, and settled
together. Nathan Jones was for the larger portion of his life a
deeply religious man, and acquired a reputation for honesty, in-
tegrity, and the Christian graces, "such as few men ever attain.
He was universally respected during his life, and, although be-
longing to the Abolition party, which in an early day was exceed-
ingly unpopular in this section, was one of the most popular men
Canton ever had. Deacon Jones was the first postmaster of Can-
ton. He built the first frame residence here, was for a long
period school trustee, and held various offices of trust, which he
filled to the entire satisfaction of the community. For a great
many years the good Deacon led the Congregational Church
Choir. None of those who knew him but respected him. He
died in about 1850, and was sincerely mourned.
CONCLUSION,
THE author desires to offer an apology in concluding this work.
He has fallen into several errors, to which inexperienced authors
are liable.
First, he has allowed himself too little space for the amount of
interesting material at his disposal. Thus he has been forced to
omit much that he desired to insert; but he has the consolation of
remembering that " brevity " is said to be " the soul of wit."
Second, in the arrangement of his work he is conscious of some
considerable lack of consecutive order. For this his apology
must be that the work has been written while passing through
the most severe mental ordeal to which the author has ever been
subjected. This is the only excuse offered.
The author has omitted sketches of several prominent Canton
Pioneers, for the reason that he designs at once to begin the prep-
aration of a History of Fulton County and its Pioneers, to be
a work of four or five hundred octavo pages, and most of those
omitted will more properly come into that work.
This and this only I have to offer for the shortcomings of this
work. I have done as well as I could under the circumstances.
I will endeavor to do better next time.
That my work contains errors of date and errors of fact I have
152 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
no doubt. They could not be avoided, as I had to rely for infor-
mation upon oral statements, based upon men's recollection in
most^cases.
The author tried hard to obtain data for a History of the M. E.
Church of Canton ; but, as no records of the society have been
preserved, he has failed. No one regrets this more than
THE AUTHOR.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
First Settlement .by Theodore Sergeant, Isaac Swan and Nathan Jones. . 5
Jones's First Addition to Canton 7
First Wedding in Canton Township 11
First School-House in Canton 13
Organization of Fulton County 16
Incidents Out of Meat 17
How Buckheart Township Acquired its Name 17
Habits and Customs of the Pioneers 18
A Call to Preach 25
Dargo B. Jones 27
Isaac Swan 28
Daniel Babbett 29
Stump Quarters 29
Brisk Business 80
Presbyterian Church History 31
The Congregational Church History 41
Joshua Township Public Square , 50
First Baptist Church History 54
First Sabbath School 63
Anecdotes : Converting Drunkards 64
Pioneer Method of Advertising, A Literal Interpretation 65
A Parson Nonplussed 66
Pay in Preaching Anecdote of Buckley 67
The First Turning-Lathe 69
The Corn-Husking 70
The Shingle-Weaver The First Frame House in Canton 72
Show-Day 74
The Westerfield Defeat 76
Theodore Sergeant James Sebree 87
Dewey Brothers 89
Samuel Porter Henry Clark 90
The Storm 91
20
154 TABLE OF CONTENTS. ERRATA.
Kemarkable Change of Temperature Sebree's Tavern 94
A Training-Day in 1830 95
First Incorporation 98
Second Incorporation of Canton 102
The City of Canton 107
Pork Packing 113
Robert C. Culton 119
Plow Manufactory Wm. Parlin 120
Ingersoll Brothers '. 122
Anecdote of John Bevard 123
Beginning in the Higher Branches 124
D. C. Jones Parley C. Stearns 125
Canton's Part in the Mormon War 126
The Whisky War 1 32
J. B. Coykendall 136
The Swinette 137
Canton Fairs 138
Mahlon S. Hoblett 140
John Coleman, Senior 140
Parliamentary In Form ". 141
Not Prepared 142
Canton's Manufactures : Foundries and Machine-Shops James Savill's
Foundry, J. M. Savill's Foundry and Machine-Shop ; Cigar Man-
ufactories E. H. Curtiss, Dean & Armstrong; Hoffman & Son's
Star Wagon Manufactory ; Piper's Woolen Manufactory 143
The Fire Department 147
Wm. Seavy Deacon Nathan Jones 150
Conclusion . . . 151
ERRATA.
Page 14, first line of second paragraph, for "1865" read "1869" (date of
death of Mrs. Anderson).
Page 49, first line of third paragraph, for "Rev. Edward Bates" read
"Rev. Henry Bates." Fourth line of same paragraph, for "$1,250" read
"$1,500."
Page 51, last line of second paragraph, for "south side" read " north side."
Page 53, last line but one of fourth paragraph, for "1865 " read "1867."
Page 118, first line of last paragraph, for " J. B. McCreary" read "J. S.
McCreary."
ADVERTISEMENTS. 155
& IBIRO.,
DEALERS IN
GUNS, PISTOLS, and SPORTING APPARATUS; HOES, RAKES. SPADES;
FISHING TACKLE. J8^~ All kinds of Guns made to order.
Repairing done with Neatness and Dispatch. North Side of Square, CANTON, ILL,
KLINE & MOOEE,
i
We beep the best brands of Family Flour constantly on band.
HIDES WANTED CASH PAID.
Bring along your Hides and get your money.
West Side of Public Square, CANTON, ILL.
C
TOEOF THE PEACE, ATW1NH AND COUNSELOR AT LAV, AHD
QENERAL, COLLECTINQ AQENT,
Will attend to any business intrusted to him carefully and with dispatch. Office over
E. Drake's Grocery Store, West side Public Square, CANTON, ILLINOIS.
B. G. POWELL. I. T. ATWATER.
ZFCTWIEILjL &o CO.,
Merchant & Custom Millers
AND DEALERS IN ALL KINDS OF
P
AT
One Block South of Square,
Canton, Illinois.
Flour, Feed and Mill Stuffs constantly on hand.
Free delivery in city or suburbs.
Highest Market Price paid for all kinds of Grain.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
157
ETC., ETC.
THE COOLEST, NEATEST AND MOST PLEASANT SUMMER KESORT IN THE CITY.
Located on the Northeast corner Public Square,
CANTON, ILLINOIS.
O. T. IK IE .A. LID,
OFFICE IN
FIRST NATIONAL BANK,
O-A-IsTTOlsr.,
This is the oldest Insurance Agency in the County, and only
the Strongest and Best Companies are represented.
The many losses already paid in this vicinity by Mr. Heald's companies are a guaran-
ty that they are SOUND, and the public can rely upon his representations.
SOUTH SIDE PUBLIC SQUARE,
CANTON, ILLINOIS.
W:M:.
. c :R, .A. i G- ,
Keeps constantly on hand a full stock of fine goods.
West side Public Square, Canton, Illinois.
ZFTJIR/IETII'TJIE^IEl
MRS. THOMPSON
Keeps the best stock of Furniture in Canton, at her old stand, West of the Post-Office.
Wm. J. Gearhart is on hand, as usual, to wait on customers. Prices, Styles and
Quality to suit every body.
21
158
ADVERTISEMENTS.
THORNTON & E-JTSRLY.
DEALERS IX
Dry Goods, Notions, Fancy Goods, Carpets, and Wall-Paper,
South Side of Public Square, CA.1VTO1V,
IT. FLUMMER & SO3ST,
). 6 Reed's Block,
Farmington, - - Illinois.
IE. ZE3I. CTJIR/TIS,
T^T
JL O JL 5
Manufactures the following Celebrated brands of
ImpsraJora, Corona, Bel Rey, Koss Agate, Golden Star, Royal Hem,
Also keeps on hand the following choice brands of Fine-Cut and Plug
CHEWING TOBACCO
FOR THE JOBBING TRADE:
PKIMKOSE, GOLDEN THREAD, GOLDEN HARP, 76 FINE-CUT, CENTURY,
UNION, COMET, CURTIS'S BAZAR, BON-BON, BRIGHT NAVY, PEACH
BLOSSOM, ATLANTIC CABLE, AMERICAN NAVY, CURTIS'S
RESORT, NAVY 7's, POCKET PIECES, FRUIT CAKE,
SHORT 10's, FLOUNDER, ETC., ETC., ETC.
Smoking Tobacco.
YACHT-CLUB, MEERSCHAUM, OLD STYLE, ORINOCO,
And numerous other brands.
J. STOCKDALE.
J. 8. MESSLER.
FIRST WARD MEAT MARKET.
Change of Firm, Good Meat! G-ood Meat!
Having purchased the First "Ward Meat Market, we are prepared to serve all our
old friends and customers, and as many new ones as will favor us, with the best qual-
ity of Meat of all kinds.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
159
IIF.AI.KR IN
Hardware, Iron, Nails, Agricultural Implements, Books and Groceries,
North side Public Square, Canton, Illinois.
THE NEW<
Twenty-seven years of active and useful effort have placed this Company in the
front rank of American life insurance companies. Up to the close of 1870 the New-
England Mutual had issued 50,000 Policies, covering risks aggregating over $100,000,000,
and had paid out for the comfort of families (many of which would otherwise have been
left destitute) more than five millions of dollars. January 1, 1871, the assets of the
Company were $9,385,000, and its liabilities, including a sufficient reserve for account
of an its running risks, $7,477,905.10 ; leaving a surplus, as regards policy-holders, of
$1,575,858. About half a million dollars have been returned as dividends to policy-
holders during the past year.
Respecting such a company there is no necessity of using arguments or eulogistic
phrases. As Webster said of Massachusetts, so we may say of this grand old Massa-
chusetts Company : " There she is. Look at her ! " Conservatively and economically
administered, liberal in business dealings, and prompt in settling losses, The New-
England Mutual Life Insurance Company makes no parade or pretense, but gives its
customers PERFECTLY CERTAIN INSURANCE, on terms as reasonable as any equally
solvent company can afford to do the same.
SPECIAL AGEJVT,
CLAJSTTOlsr, - - -
E. J. BOTKIN,
Surgical and Mechanical
Over Harris $ Plattenburg's Drug Store.
I use the best Materials, the best Processes, and the best Medicament known to my
profession.
I WARRANT SATISFACTION. TRY ME.
160 ADVERTISEMENTS.
THE PIONEER ARTIST AHEAD.
"WZMI.
VTOW located over Thompson's Grocery Store, West Side of the Public Square, con-
11 tinues to surpass all competitors in the Beauty, Fidelity and Finish of his Pic-
tures. He has all the new methods in the Photographic Art. Indeed, he has intro-
duced nearly every new style to this community, and has always given satisfaction.
FRED. O. DDEWEY,
AGENT FOE
~ ~M
Fill MI LIFE IN!
Represents only the BEST COMPANIES.
ORIFICE OVEE,
H. L.
DEALER IX
-A.3STID
Northwest Corner of Public Square,
Canton, Illinois.
House Established, by Joel Wright, in 183 O.
CO.,
- GENERAL -
FOUNDRY AND MACHINE SHOP,
MANUFACTURERS OF
Agricultural Implements, Steam Engines, etc.,
Corner First and Cole Streets, CANTON, ILLINOIS.
All work warranted to give satisfaction in price and quality.
ADVERTISEMENTS. 16l
I>r. J. H. IRA.IIVEY,
TI
Front Room, 3d Story, Graham's Building, Canton, III.
I am now puttingup all kinds of plate-work known to the profession ; Including Gold, Sil-
ver, Platinum, Rubber or Coralite, and Aluminum. Teeth filled, cleaned, and the irregulari-
ties of dentition corrected, in the most scientific manner.
I can not too highly recommend Aluminum. It is equal to Gold in every respect, and is
five times lighter than Gold or Coralite. The attachment of the Teeth to the plate is so per-
fect that there are no interstices in which foreign substances can lodge, causing foetid breath.
They do not absorb the gums like Coralite, which some times vitiates them even to slough-
Ing. Aluminum will not corrode, and is not affected by the fluidsof the mouth, or nitric acid.
An experienced physician always present to administer chloroform, gas, or ether, when
desired.
I have had an experience of 25 years, 13 of which have been in Canton. There are over
2000 cases of artificial teeth of my work now in use in this vicinity. With these guaranties of
proficiency, and a strict attention to business, I hope to please the most fastidious.
C. C. DEWEY,
Dry
DEALER IN
BOOTS AND SHOES,
Carpets, Oil-Cloths, etc.,
JVorth end Union Block,
CANTON, - - - ILLINOIS.
a- so. IB. "VITTTJIM:,
DEALER IN
Crockery, China, Glass,
Britannia and Plated Ware,
Table Cutlery, and Looking-Glasses,
BLOCK,
162 ADVERTISEMENTS.
O-IEO- IMI.
MANUFACTURES OF AND DEALER IN
Furniture, Mattresses, Spring Beds,
Chairs, Locking-Glasses, Gilt and Eosewood Prames,
METALLIC AND WOODEN COFFINS, CASKETS, ETC., ETC.,
Southeast Corner of Square (P.O. Box 304;, CANTOS', ILL.
& OOTJZETSIEIjOI?, -A.T
CANTOX, ILLINOIS,
ractices in the Courts of this and adjoining Counties.
HEALD' S INSURANCE 11
Fire Companies. Ajtsets.
MTNA, of Hartford, Conn ".. -$5,800,000
HARTFORD, of Hartford, Conn 2,600,000
HOME, of New York 4,600,000
UNDERWRITERS' AGENCY, of New York.... 4,000,000
INTERNATIONAL, of New York 1,330,000
INS. CO. of NORTH AMERICA, of Philad'a. . . . 3,000,000
SPRINGFIELD FIRE $ MAKE, Spring fid, Ms. 950,000
SANGAMO, Springfield, Illinois 235,000
ILLINOIS M. F., Alton, Illinois 265,000
REAPER CITY, Rockford, Rlinois 170,000
$22,950,000
THE BEST IS THE CHEAPEST.
C. T. HEALD, Agent. Office at First National Bank.
This is the oldest Insurance Agency in the County, and comprises the VERY BEST
COMPANIES. Mr. Heald has given his attention to the Insurance business for many
years, is careful to have the papers made right to start with, and in case of loss ren-
ders every assistance to prepare papers and complete claims. Do n't be humbugged
and swindled by tra/veling agents, but insure with an agent you know.
A RTHTJPt HA.Y keeps the reliable Meat Market, in Snyder's Block, East
J\_ Side Public Square, Canton, Illinois.
His Meats are FRESH, TENDER, and JUICY. Try Them.
o. a.
POLICE ituiRUR, ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW, AND
QENERAL COLLECTINGS AOENT.
Office with Mayor J. L. Murphy, East side Public Square, CANTON, ILLINOIS.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
163
As Bred and Raised by A. C. MOORE, at Canton, 111.
The above name was officially adopted by the Illinois State Agricultural Society at
Springfield, March 1, 1871, and the words " or Magie " were ordered stricken off.
On four separate farms he last year raised 762 pigs ; now he has 214 head of breeders.
Mr. M. has made this breed a specialty for 26 years. In 1868 and 1869 he took nearly
$2,000 premiums, including $500 and $700 Pork-Packers' premiums at St. Louis Fairs,
where in 1870 his stock took seven premiums, two of them $150 prizes. At Fulton
County, Illinois, Fair, 1870, he took the $500 and the $50 Sweepstakes on only three
entries.
PRICES :
SINGLE PIGS 2} months old, $20; 3K months, $25; 4> months, $30; 6 months, $40.
PAIKS, NO KIN 2% months old, $40; 3} months, $50; 4> months, $60; 6 months, $80.
Sows, WHEN BRED 8 to 9 months old, sent when known to be with pig, $75; 1 year
old and over, bred, etc., $100.
SHHF" Boxed and delivered at Canton Depots.
TsTeatness, _A.ccnracy 3 ^Promptness.
isr. c. isr.A.so:tT,
STEAM
133 and 135 South- Washington St,,
Books, Magazines, Newspapers,
Cards, Handbills, Posters,
Circulars, Letter-Heads, Bill-Heads,
And every variety of Printing, in Blaek Inks,
Colored Inks, and Bronzes.
H
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1
in
02
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