USA > Illinois > Fulton County > Canton > Canton; its pioneers and history : a continuation to the history of Fulton County > Part 13
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"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.
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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 Agricultural 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
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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.
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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
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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 fbs. He died in May, 1835 at the age of 63 years.
PARLIAMENTARY.
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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 :
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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., [L.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 :
" MR. 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.
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CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.
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.
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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 and 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.
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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
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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
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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. Layton, who brought 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 bc- 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
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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 employés 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-
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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,
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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. Hook-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 Ray, 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.
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