Canton; its pioneers and history : a continuation to the history of Fulton County, Part 14

Author: Swan, A. M. (Alonzo M.)
Publication date: 1871
Publisher: Canton, Ill. : [s.n.]
Number of Pages: 180


USA > Illinois > Fulton County > Canton > Canton; its pioneers and history : a continuation to the history of Fulton County > Part 14


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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


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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 Deacon 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-


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CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY.


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


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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.


30


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.


Remarkable 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 126


125


Canton's Part in the Mormon War


The Whisky War. 132


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


4 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."


155


ADVERTISEMENTS.


JAMES DONN & BRO., DEALERS IN


HARDWARE, CUTLERY, NAILS, GUNS, PISTOLS, and SPORTING APPARATUS; HOES, RAKES. SPADES; FISHING TACKLE. All kinds of Guns made to order.


Repairing done with Neatness and Dispatch. North Side of Square, CANTON, ILL.


KLINE & MOORE, FAMILY GROCERIES, FLOUR & FEED STORE,


We keep the best brands of Family Flour constantly on hand.


HIDES WANTED - CASH PAID.


Bring along your Hides and get your money.


West Side of Public Square, CANTON, ILL.


PARLEY C. STEARNS, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW, AND GENERAL COLLECTING AGENT, 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.


E. G. POWELL. I. T. ATWATER. POWELL & CO., Merchant & Custom Millers


AND DEALERS IN ALL KINDS OF


GRATI AT


1


CITY MILLS,


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.


--


E.H.DEWEY. Del.


BISMARK.


By King Moore. Pigged April 16th, 1870; age as shown, 8 months ; weight, 298 pounds. One of the 5 pigs that, with King Moore and Lady Morrow, took the $500 Sweepstakes at Canton, Illinois, October, 1870. Bred and raised by A. C. Moore.


157


ADVERTISEMENTS.


Black's Confectionery. Ice-Cream, Soda-Water,


ETC., ETC.


THE COOLEST, NEATEST AND MOST PLEASANT SUMMER RESORT IN THE CITY.


Located on the Northeast corner Public Square, CANTON, ILLINOIS. .


C. T. HEALD,


GENERAL


INSURANCE AGENT,


OFFICE IN


FIRST NATIONAL BANK,


CANTON, ILLINOIS.


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.


J. W. BAYS, 1 PHOTOGRAPH ARTIST, SOUTH SIDE PUBLIC SQUARE, CANTON, ILLINOIS.


WM. H. CRAIG,


JEWELER AND OPTICIAN, Keeps constantly on hand a full stock of fine goods. West side Public Square, Canton, Illinois.


FURNITURE. 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 & EVERLY, Dry- Goods Emporium, DEALERS IN Dry Goods, Notions, Fancy Goods, Carpets, and Wall-Paper, South Side of Public Square, CANTON, ILLINOIS.


N. PLUMMER & SON,


No. 6 Reed's Block,


Farmington, - . Illinois.


E. H. CURTIS, WHOLESALE TOBACCONIST,


Manufactures the following Celebrated brands of


CIGARS. Imperadora, Corona, Del Rey, Moss Agate, Golden Star, Royal Gem,


Also keeps on hand the following choice brands of Fine-Cut and Plug


CHEWING TOBACCO


FOR THE JOBBING TRADE:


PRIMROSE, 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. S. MESSLER.


FIRST WARD MEAT MARKET.


Change of Firm, Good Meat! Good 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.


159


ADVERTISEMENTS.


A. BELL, DEALER IN


Drugs, Paints, Oils,


WALL-PAPER,


Hardware, Iron, Nails, Agricultural Implements, Books and Groceries, North side Public Square, Canton, Illinois.


THE NEW-ENGLAND


Mutual Life.


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 all 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.


S. N. BREED, SPECIAL AGENT, CANTON, - - - ILLINOIS.


E. J. BOTKIN, Surgical and Mechanical


ENTIST .


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.


WM. SEAVY, THE PIONEER ARTIST, NOW located over Thompson's Grocery Store, West Side of the Public Square, con- 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. TRY HIM.


FRED. O. DEWEY, AGENT FOR


FIRE AND LIFE INSURANCE, Represents only the BEST COMPANIES. OFFICE OVER DEWEY'S STORE.


H. L. WRIGHT,


-DEALER IN-


DRY GOODS FANCY GOODS,


AND NOTIONS, Northwest Corner of Public Square, Canton, Illinois.


House Established by Joel Wright, in 1830.


SAVILL & 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.


161


ADVERTISEMENTS.


Dr. J. H. RAINEY, DENTIST,


Office, Front Room, 2d Story, Graham's Building, Canton, Il.


I am now putting up ail kinds of plate-work known to the profession ; including Gold, Sii- ver, Platinum, Rubber or Coraiite, and Aluminum. Teeth filled, cleaned, and the irreguiari- 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 iodge, causing fœtid breath. They do not absorb the gums like Coraiite, which some times vitiates them even to slough- ing. Aluminum wiii not corrode, and is not affected by the fluids of the mouth, or nitric acid. An experienced physician always present to administer chioroform, 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 piease the most fastidious.


C. C. DEWEY,


DEALER IN


Dry Goods, CLOTHING, BOOTS AND SHOES, HATS AND CAPS, GROCERIES, Carpets, Oil-Cloths, etc., North end Union Block, CANTON, - - - ILLINOIS.


GEO. B. VITTUM, - DEALER IN -


Crockery, China, Glass,


Britannia and Plated Ware, Table Cutlery, and Looking-Glasses, UNION BLOCK, CANTON, ILLINOIS.


·


162


ADVERTISEMENTS.


GEO. M. SNYDER, MANUFACTURER OF AND DEALER IN


Furniture, Mattresses, Spring Beds, Chairs, Looking-Glasses, Gilt and Rosewood Frames, METALLIC AND WOODEN COFFINS, CASKETS, ETC., ETC., Sontheast Corner of Square (P.O. Box 304), CANTON, ILL.


GRANVILLE BARRERE, ATTORNEY & COUNSELOR AT LAW, CANTON, ILLINOIS.


-> Practices in the Courts of this and adjoining Counties.


HEALD'SINSURANCE AGENCY CANTON, ILLINOIS.


Fire Companies. Assets.


ATNA, 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 & MAR' E, Springfld, Ms. 950,000


SANGAMO, Springfield, Illinois. 235,000


ILLINOIS M. F., Alton, Illinois. 265,000


REAPER CITY, Rockford, Illinois 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. Don't be humbugged and swindled by traveling agents, but insure with an agent you know.


MEAT MARKET.


RTHUR RAY keeps the reliable Meat Market, in Snyder's Block, East A Side Public Square, Canton, Illinois.


His Meats are FRESH, TENDER, and JUICY. Try Them.


C. J. MAIN,


POLICE MAGISTRATE, ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW, AND GENERAL COLLECTING AGENT. Office with Mayor J. L. Murphy, East side Public Square, CANTON, ILLINOIS.


163


ADVERTISEMENTS.


POLAND-CHINA.


As Bred and Raised by A. C. MOORE, at Canton, Ill.


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-212 months old, $20; 3)2 months, $25; 4}2 months, $30; 6 months, $40. PAIRS, NO KIN-212 months old, $40; 3}2 months, $50; 412 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.


Boxcd and delivered at Canton Depots.


Neatness, Accuracy, Promptness.


N. C. NASON,


STEAM


Printer and Publisher


133 and 135 South-Washington St., PEORIA, - ILLINOIS.


Books, Magazines, Newspapers, Cards, Handbills, Posters,


Circulars, Letter-Heads, Bill-Heads, And every variety of Printing, in Black Inks, Colored Inks, and Bronzes.


GEO. W. ROBERTS,


Book Binder, Blank Book Manufacturer


AND DEALER IN- Blanks and Office Stationery,


24 and 26 South-Adams Street (Second Floor), PHORIA, ILLINOIS.


.


Special Attention paid to Bank Work.


Magazines and Serials Bound in all Styles.



UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 977.348SW2C C001 CANTON: ITS PIONEERS AND HISTORY CANTON


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