Canton Township (part 6 of 6)

Quincy, for 2 years, and was admitted to the Bar in the spring of 1864. Mr. M. was Mayor of Canton in 1871-2 and has held various other offices.

Richard Murphy, deceased, was among those who came here as early as 1839. He was a man of fine education, a master of Greek and Latin, talked French fluently, and indeed was a man of more than ordinary ability. He was a native of Queens Co., Ireland. He died in 1850 at his farm home on sec. 11, Joshua tp. His wife was Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, of his native county. She died Jan. 19, 1876. His ancestors were land-holders and held the land upon which he was born for over 300 years. His mother was a Fitzgerald, a descendant of Lord Edward Fitzgerald, who served in the British army, but resigned during the American Revolution and was killed in the Irish Rebellion of 1798. The children of Richard Murphy are : Mary T., now living in Quincy ; Anna E. B. married Mr. Hopkins and lives in New York city ; Joseph Leopold, lawyer at Canton, and Louisa, residing with her brother.

Ellison Norcott, proprietor of the T., P. & W. R. R. Depot Hotel, came to Canton in 1850. He is a native of New Brunswick. His mother was born at Plainfield, N. J., his father at New London, Ct. His ancestors came from Sheffield, Eng. He has had a family of 6 children, - Fred A., ticket agent for R. I. & P. R. R. at Peoria ; Chas. E. lives at Bunker Hill, 111. ; Wm. H. lives in Canton.

Mm. J. Orendorjf] of the firm of Parlin & Orendorff, manufacturers, was born in Orion tp., Fulton Co., 111., January 14, 1829, and is the son of John and Margaret (Sayle) Orendorff, the former of Wilkes Co., Ga., and his mother of Wilkes Co., North Carolina. His parents came to Orion tp. in April, 1825. His mother died at the old homestead July 19, 1867, and his fiither Jan. 28, 1876. Wm. J. was educated at the Orion and Canton schools. He began his present business, which is more fully described elsewhere in this work, in 1852; married Sept. 28, 1856, to Miss Mary Rohrer, daughter of Henry Rohrer, a native of Lancaster Co., Pa., and formerly a resident of Canton, now deceased, Arthur L., Wm. H., Ulysses G. and John W. are their children. We give the portraits of Mr. Orendorff and his father in this volume.

John J. Owen, dairy farmer, is a native of New York city, where he was born in 1831. His father, Franklin E. Owen, is a native of of Connecticut, his mother, Jane Owen, nee Prine, was born in Monmouth Co., N. J. Mr. O. came to Canton in March, 1867, and embarked in a small way in the milk business. He has since given his attention to dairy farming, having bought a farm on sec. 25, Canton tp. He was married in 1869 at New Brunswick, N. J., to Eliza Jones. He was sutler of the 9th N. J. Inf. during the war. On parting with his regiment when mustered out at Trenton, N. J., the privates of the regiment presented him with a fine gold watch as a testimonial of good wishes and pleasant intercourse.

Parlin d' Orendorff. "NVm. Parlin commenced the manufacture of plows in 1847 on the corner of Fourth and Ehn streets, wliere is now part of their present works. All of the work was done bv hand and no machinery of any kind was used. In 1855 William J. Orendorff became a partner and the two have continued ever since under the name of Parlin & Orendorff. In 1857 the first engine - 6-horse power - was put in the shop in place of horse-power then in use. They have at four different times put in larger engines until they reached 150-horse power, which is now too small for their increasing trade. Gradually their w:orks have enlarged till now they have one of the largest plow works in the country, having a capacity for 250 workmen and for turning out a complete plow every 3 minutes. They consume annually 2,000 tons of iron and steel and over 1,000,000 feet of lumber. They now* own the entire block upon which their works stand. They make plows of styles and designs suitable for every section of country. The list of kinds of plows will exceed 100 different sizes and styles. They manufacture besides plows, cultivators, sulky-plows, stalk-cutters, harrows, road-scrapers and a great variety of other goods. Their trade is still growing and the indications are that they will soon "be compelled to enlarge their works. Machinery is now used for all work. If they had to get out the work by hand-power, the same as in former years, 1,000 men could not accomplish what work they are now doing.

Win. Parlin, in the paternal line, is of English ancestry, the first im uigration being to Massachusetts, where Samuel, the grandfather of our subject, and Warner, the father, were born. They were blood relatives of the heroic Gen. Warren avIio fell at Bunker Hill, and they too fought for American independence. William's mother's maiden name was Lydia Davis, and she was the daughter of Jonathan D.ivis, of Middlesex Co., Mass. Davis also fought in the Revolution. A cousin of his, Capt. Davis, was the first officer killed in the war, - at the battle of Concord. Mr. Parlin was born in the town of Acton, Middlesex Co., Mass., Jan. 21, 1817; first came to Fulton Co., July 4, 1840, and being a blacksmith by trade he soon established himself in his business at Canton, in a small shop, which has grown to the present large institution employing hundreds of men. Jan. 7, 1845, he married Caroline Orendorff, daughter of John O., in Ori^u tp. Their four children are Artemas F., Win. H., Clara E. and Alice C. The first mentioned died at the a^e of 18. Mr. Parlin has i)een Alderman several terms: was elected to that position at the first city election ; has been School Director, and at present is Mayor of Canton. He is a zealous temperance advocate and a Republican. Although not a member of any church hp has liberally contributed to all. Mr. Parlin's portrait is given in this work.

Plattenhurif Famihj. The seniors of this family in this county are Perry Plattenburg and his wife, Ellen (Doddridge) Plattenburg, the former a native of EUicott's Mills, near Harper's Ferry, Md., where he was born in 1801, and tlie latter a native of Wellsburg, "W. Va., and a daughter of Pliilip Doddridge, a member of Congress, who died in Washington wiiile attending a session of that bodv in 1832. They lirst came to this county, locating at Canton, in June, 1854, bringing a family of 6 children, one son being in California, but who joined them in '57. His name was Albert E. The names of the other children were as follows: Wm. D., Philip D., Ada D., Perry W., Ellen S., and Wilbur Fisk. All of the children were born at Wellsburg, W. Ya. Perry Plattenburg on his arrival in Canton embarked in the lumber business with his son, Wm. D., under the name of P. Plattenburg & Son, and continued under the same name until Feb. 4, 1876, when the senior partner retired, and the business has been conducted by Wm. D. since that date. The children are all living and in Canton with the exce})tion of Albert E., who died July 6, 1876, at Canton, leaving a widow and one child, Elizabeth. His wife was Anna B. Bewsher, of Peoria. Wm. D. married Margaret Ward, of Chillieothe, C, Jan. 14, 1851, and has 5 children, - Anna D., Ada D., Elizabetii G., Wm. D., jr., and Fred. Philip D. and Perry W. are engaged in the drug business under the firm name of Plattenburg Bros.

John W. Proctor was born in Sangamon Co., in 1828, and was taken when an infant to Lewistown, where he resided for 48 years, cominsr to Canton in 1875, Mr. P. started the first bank in Lewistown, now the 1st National Bank. He also started a woolen factory there. He has been largely identified with the county, and at present is working the Williams coal mine at Canton. He was President of the ()ld Settlers' Societv organized 13 years ago. He married Miss ISIary Antoinette, daughter of Rev. W. K. Talbott, in 1854, at Oquawka, 111. They have 2 daughters, - Frances L. and Hattie T.

Benjamin Rohrer, son of Henry Rohrer, Avas born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Jan. 17, 1833, and was educated at the common schools at Galesburg. He is a staunch Rcjiublican, and was appointed a delegate to the State Convention in 1878 to nominate State officers. He takes deep interest in educational matters. He married Mary Hershey March 17, 1856, who was born in his native county March 31, 1838. They have a family of 9 children, - Abner, born Aug. 20, '58, died in '75; Hiram, Feb. 22, '60; Benj. F., Nov. 22, '61 ; Emma, Sept. 18, '63; Abram H., Jan. 8, 'Q()', Henry H., Jan. 19, '68; Susan, Feb. 26, '70; Mary H., May 30, '73, and John D., Sept. 29, '76.

Christian Rohrer, farmer and stock-raiser, is a son of Henry Rohrer, and was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., in April, 1838; married in that county in 1860 to Elizabeth Herr, who has borne him 4 children, - Henry B., Adeline, Christian, and Cyrus H. He lives on see. 14, the old, original lunnestead of his father, and has 320 acres of land here and 640 in Livingston Co. He remembers when deer and wolves were numerous through this county, and has spent many pleasant clays roaming the prairie hunting them. Hogs, running wild, wore all over tiie prairie. A person could scarcely pass a brush lieaj) but a "rail-splitter" would start with her family with an "ugh !" He lost a drove of milch cows, which were gone on the prairies for 6 weeks before he found them ; by this time they of course were all dry.

Henry Rohrer, deceased, came to this county in 1847, with his wife Mary (Doner) Rohrer, and a family of 8 children, - Benjamin, Elizabeth, Mary, Christian, Amanda, Esther, Henry D. and Emma. He iirst landed at Quincy when he came to the State and remained 4 months, during the meantime riding over the country on horseback looking up a location, and finally selected the homestead in Canton tp. While here his horse died and he was obliged to walk to Quincy, 106 miles, to join his family; which he did in 2 days. He brought considerable means w'ith him, and at one time owned 1,500 acres of land in Canton tp., much of which is still owned by his sons. He probably built the largest brick farm-house in the county, at a cost of $20,000. The children with their families still gather at the old homestead, occupied by Henry D., each Christmas time and hold a family re-union. Mr. R. was a strong, vigorous man and the day j)receding his death worked and walked home in the evening, a distance of 3 miles. At midnight he was attacked with a stroke of apoplexy, and died the next morning at 6 o'clock. He was born Sept. 23, 1811, in Lancaster county, Pa., and died in Dec., 1875.

Henry D. Rohrer was born Aug. 25, 1846, in Lancaster county, Pa. He w-as brought to this county by his parents in '47. He married Mrs. Shleich, formerly Nina Broherd, of Farmington, in 1878. She is the daughter of Daniel antl Elizabeth (Kent) Broherd, natives of Ohio, and were amono; the first settlers in Fairview township. Mr. B. died June 9, 1879, an<l Mrs, B. still lives in Farmington tp. Elmer Shleich, son of Mrs. R., is the only child.

Fike (J. Ross was born at Lewistown, this county, July 6, 1825, and is the son of Ossian M. Ross, th(^ founder of Lewistown. Pike C. came to Canton in .Jan., 1836. He attended Jacksonville College for 2 years, and on returning to Canton joined Co. K, 4th 111. Lif , and served one year in the war with Mexico. On returning home he began the study of medicine, aiul attended the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. He returned and began the practice of his profession at Havana, 111., wiu're lie continued for 4 years. His eyes becoming aU'ected he traveled through the East and South until they were cured, when he returned to Canton and has followed the medical business ever since. Li 18(56 Mr. R. married Miss Margaret Irwiu, of McDouough county. 111. They have 4 children : James, Nella, Clara and Anna, all of w'hom reside in Canton.

James 31. SavH/, machinist, was born in England in 1813; came to Canton in 1844 and acted as engineer for 5 years. He then started a machine shop and has carried on the same in Canton to the present time, with moderate success. His work is principally in machinery and repairing aoricuUural implements. He has 7 children: Edward, Francis H., Daniel, Samuel B., I^onisa and Bettv.

George W. Seafon, ji;rocer, was born in Indiana, IVIay 9, 1832, and came to Canton in LSol ; his father, James Seaton, still lives at the old homestead in Indiana. Mr. S. clerked for some years and then established the dry-<2:o()ds business of Seaton ^V: l^nderwood. In 1861 the firm was cluiuued by admitting; Mr. liabcock and carrying general dry -goods and groceries until 1872, when they were swept out by fire. Mr. S. agtiin went into business and in the fall of '78 started in the grocery trade at his present location. He married Miss Ijouisa Oulton, and has 6 children: William Pitt, age 20; Anna, 17; Katie, 15; Charles, 13; Freddie, 11 ; George, 6.

Howard W. Sebree was born in 1832 at Madison, Jefferson Co., Ind. His parents were James Sebree and Elizabeth Sebree, nee Trotter, both of Virginia. They came overland with one 5-horse and a 2-horse team and arrived in this county in the fall of '32. They brought a family of 7 children : Nancy, Preston, Robert T., Curran, Chas. W., Howard W., Eliza J. Robt. T. was born in Kentucky and Eliza J. in Canton and the others were born in Indiana. Elder Sebree was a pioneer of three States. He settled in Indiana in 1805, Ohio in 1825 and this State in 1832, and was called by his friends a Daniel Boone. Howard W. was married at Lewistown, 111., May 27, 1852, to Margaret INI. Simpson, a native of Philadelphia, Pa. ; Emma Ij. and Stella are their cliildren.

0/icer Shcplcy, land agent for the Savages, of (^uiney. He at onetime owned vast quantities of land through this section. This drew many people to his house, giving him a wide and extended acquaintance. He formerly ke])t and supj)orted a deer ])ark of about 12 acres. At times he had as many as 32 deer in this park. This, with Mr. S's business and j)olitical ac(iuaintanee, drew many people to his residence, which was like a hotel, - people coming and going, only with this difference: everything was free. Mr. S. was also agent for Geo. I\'abody, of Ijondon, Eng., of world-wide celebritv. He was a man of strong convictions and firm in what he was convinced was right. AVas in the Legislature in the same session with Lincoln, with whom he had many an argument, being an opponent in politics. He was a firm believer in the l^ible, but never joined any church. The year he came here a Baptist minister heard of his arrival and said they didn't "want the dod-burned Yankee here;" but his curiosity soon led him to call around to see how long the Yankee horns were. When he called he was invited to take a "nip," which in those days was customary. He noticed a keg of whisky in the cal)in, and in a short time returned with a bottle of honey for a bottle of whisky.

were Wilbcr and Lucinda She])ley, natives of Scotland. Oliver visited Illinois in 1<S.'j2 and l)()u<z;ht a farm on sec. 32, which is owned by his son Thomas J. He foHowed farmino; and always took a deep interest in ])olities, and was sent to the Tx'gislatnre 2 terms. He was a physician. He acqnired his medical education in Paris, France, and practiced in Florida for several years, but practiced none after cominji; to Illinois. He married Mrs. Lydia Lawrence, of Hollis, Mass., about 18;32; she was born March 28, 1803. Mrs. S. had 2 children by former husband, one of whom is now living in Deerfield. Lydia M. A. married Eli Paull, and died in '74. J. T. married Mary Van Arsdale, of Fairview tp., daughter of Peter B. Van Arsdale, in 18G6. She was born Dec. 14, 1849, and died July 28, 1878, leaving 2 children, Olive and Grace.

Washington S/icpIci/, farmer, sec. 25, is a son of Oliver and Atalanta (Phelps) Shepley. The former was a native of Groton, Mass., and the mother, of Hartford, Ct. They resided in the State of Mississippi for several years, where Washington was born in 1813. His mother died in 1814, when his father, with his mother-in-law and son Washington, traveled by horseback to Massachusetts. Oliver Shepley came to Illinois in 1838 and about '40 to this county, and lived on a farm one-half mile west of Canton till his death, Nov. 17, 18(33. He was elected to the Legislature on the Democratic ticket and was greatly esteemed. Nineteen years after his father came Washington came and located on sec. 25, where he has since lived and owns 160 acres of land, and 350 acres southwest of Canton. He married, at New I])swich, N. H., Harriet A. Gibson in 1837. Henry O. is their only son. He lives in this township.

Jfeiveft Alhertis Shields, farmer, sec. 31. His father is James A. Shields, and his grandfather, Robert Shields, came to this county about 1826; his wife was Bridget McBroom. James A. Shields married Betsy McBroom. They iiad 8 chiklren, - Celeste, Mary Etta, Geo. Milford, Hewett Albertis, Harriet Ida, Robert B., Jeremiah and Luella. Mrs. J. A. Shields died in April, 1871. H. W. mai'ried EUen Josej)hine Chits, a native of Ohio, at Canton, in 1872. Cornelia E., Flora J. and Fanny are their children.

Jacob Silvern ail, farmer, is a native of Chenango Co., N. Y., where he was born in 1820. He came to this county in 1837 and located at Canton, where he followed carpentering for 10 years, and was engaged in the lumber business and running the saw-mill on Copperas creek for 10 years ; and in 1859 located on his present farm. In 1842 he was united in marriage with Alice Potter, formerly of New Jersey. They have had born to them 9 children. John W. enlisted in Co. K, 103d 111. Inf., in 1862, and had served 15 months, when he was mortally wounded at ISIission Ridge, dying the next night succeeding the battle. His remains were brought home and now rest in Canton cemetery. Mary J., Melissa A., Hat-

Leonard D. SlociDn is a native of Livingston Co., N. Y., where he was born in 1<S23, and is the son of Walter and Sally (Austin) Slocum, natives of Rhode Island and of German descent. Mr. S. came to Illinois in Feb., 1858, and located at Peoria, and in LSBO moved to Canton and engaged in the distillery business under the firm name of McCall & Co., the partners being James H. McCall and Stephen P. Slocum. They continued tiie business till '67, when the firm dissolved. Both his partners are deceased. Mr. S. married Eliza Leary, native of Ireland, in Rochester, N. Y., May 14, 1854. She is a daughter of John and Margaret (Buckly) Leary, and was only 8 years old when her parents came to this country. They have 2 children, - Charles S. and Ida INI. Mr. S. owns a farm of 221 acres one mile west from the Public Square in the city of Canton, and one of the pleasantest locations in the county.

John Sloss, sr., was a native of North Carolina. His parents moved into Kentucky when he was an infant, and there he was raised. His wife, Elizabeth W. (Butler) Sloss was a native of W. Virginia. They were married in Kentucky, and came to this connty in 1833. Mr. S. died in 1850, Mrs. S. in 1868, and consigned to rest in the Canton cemetery.

Aiif/uMus B. Smith, merchant, was born at Greenfield, Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1830, and came to Canton first in '49, and settled permanently in 1853. In 1862 he entered the army as Lieutenant in 103d 111. Inf. He was promoted to the Ca])taincy, and served on Gen. Woods' staff as Inspector-General. He })articipated in many noted engagements, and came through unscathed, and at the close of the war entered the hardware business at (Vinton, where he has been ever since.

David 31. Smith, deceased, Mr. S. first came to this county in 1836. He was a native of Dover, Del., and his wife, Ann Jj. C. (Hall) Smith, was a native of Chestertown, Md. Mr. S. was a merchant tailor at Canton for many years. He was a member of the M. E. Church at Baltimore from 1826 to '28, but on account of the non-representation of lay members and the pro-slavery proclivities of the Church, he withdrew from that denomination. He was one of the founders of the Protestant Mcth. Church North, of which he was an active, earnest member. He had often expressed a wish that, the Lord being willing, when he came to die he might breathe his last in the house of God, and on the Lord's day. His wish was granted. Fifteen minutes, perhaps, after services liad begun in the M. E. church, of Canton, on Sunday, Feb. 11, 1866, he was seen to rise suddenly in his seat and ask for his hat. ^lembers of the congregation rushed to his aid, but before or by the time they could get him to the church door he expired in their arms. He left a widow and 3 children. She still lives, residing with her son, C. H., at the advanced age of 80. The children's names are : Georgia Etta, wife of Abrani Fash, of Chicago; David M., jr., and Chas. Henry are living in Canton and carrying on the bakery and confectionery bnsines:?.

Chas. 31. tSnyder, agent C, B. & Q. Railroad, Canton.' Mr. S. was born in Canton in 1856. His parents, Geo. M. and ^lary C. (Dunlap) Snyder, of Ohio, were early settlers in this county. Six brothers and 2 sisters of George M. Snyder settled at Canton the same time he did. C. M. has been connected with the C, B. & Q. road for 8 years, 5 years of which time he has been agent at Canton. He married Miss Helen Schanck, of Keokuk, la.

Georr/e M. Snyder was born in Franklin county. Pa., in 1830, and was brought to Canton by his father, Peter L. Snyder, in 1837. Peter L. started the first furniture factory in Canton ; he had 6 sons and 2 daughters: L. A., the eldest son died 2 years ago at Galva, 111.; Catharine A., wife of S. P. Miller, of Canton; Thomas W., David W., Robert C, Matilda J. and John H. Peter L. married Miss Sarah Williamson, of Maryland, in 1825. He died in Canton in 1860; Mrs. S. in 1870. The 4 eldest sons bought out the business in 1853 and the 3 brothers individually sold at different periods to Geo. M. until 1863 he became sole proprietor of the establishment. He had a severe illness in 1878, brought on by sun-stroke, and was compelled to sell his business, his son Charles being the purchaser. He married Miss Mary C. Dunlap, of Vermont, 111., in 1852. Grace L., Chas. M., Wm, L., Mary and Effie C. are their living children. Geo. E. died in infancy.

John M. Sni/der, })roprietor of gas-works, Canton, was born in Scott county, 111., in 1841 ; his father Gilbert S., was a native of Pennsylvania, came to Morgan county. 111, near Jacksonville, in 1830, and was a millwright and machinist by trade; he built most of the mills in the central part of the State. John ]M. served (jov. Yates as Military Secretary, during the war, and after filling other responsible positions came to Canton in 1876, and subsequently erected gas-works which compare favorably with any other of their size in the State. Has 51 street lamjis now in use, in the central porti<»n of the city, and there are nearly 200 private consumers. Works located in the western part of the city.

Phineof! C. Stearns is a native of Lawrence county, X. Y., and is the son of Phineas and ^lartha (Cooper) Stearns, the former of Brattleboro, Vt., and his mother of Connecticut. They came to this county in 1836 and located in Canton. P. C. was educated at Cazenovia Institute, New York. He has been Associate County Judge, County Commissioner, and Justice of the Peace for nearly 40 years. He was married in this county in 1836 to Hannah Rawalt, and has a family of .3 children, - Mary E., wife of Wm. H. Trites; Randolph H. and Eva May.

B. B. Stevenson, lawyer, was born in Ross county, O., Aug. 20, 1825; began the study of law under the able direction of Judge Winston Paul at Hillsborough, Highland county, O., in 1846; was admitted to the bar in 1848, and began the praetiee of his jirofession in his native eity, and edited tlie Hillshorouiili (i(r:cifc. In 1854 he assoeiated himself wtih the J^ar of Jackson eoiintv, and was tlie choiee of the people to represent Jackson and Vinton counties to the Legislature in 1857, and served one term as Prosecuting Attorney in Highland county. For two years after his settling in Lewistown he was associated ^vith Lewis Ross, which ])artnerslii]) was dissolved two years later. In July 1, 1879, he removed to Canton, where his ability as a hnvyer is well known, and he is building up a lucrative practice. He was married to Miss Catherine B. Kennedy, a native of Va., an estimable lady who died in 1856. Of their several children one is living, Edwin Lee. His present wife was Maria Louisa L. Kellv, daughter of W. B. Proctor and widow of W. B. Kelly.

Dr. 0. G. Strong was born in Ohio, Aug. 12, 1818, and is a son of Ozias G. Strong, a farmer, lawyer, and a Magistrate for 30 years at AVilksville. His mother's maiden name was Anice Grcfforv. The Strong family came from England to the U. S. in the early history of the country. O. G. was educated in Columbus, and attended medical lectures and ])racticed the old-school system for several years ; then moved to St. Louis, and after practicing there a year moved to Hannibal, to enter into the mercantile business. In

1853 he was elected Marshal and Collector of city revenue, and in '55 went to La Grange where the following year he was chosen Recorder and Pt)lice Magistrate. During his residence in this citv he changed his views of the practice of medicine to the homeopathic system, and in 1858 came to Canton and began to practice in the new system. He graduated at the Medical College of St. Louis in 1858; and his third son, C. H. Strong, has just graduated in the New York Medical College, having taken a full course of lectures both in that city and Cincinnati.

James SfocMdle, fixrmer, WHS born in Yorkshire, Eng., in 1815. His father, W. Stockdale, married Miss Mary Cook, and with their family of 8 children came to the U. S. in 1830. Five of these chi Id nni are living, - James, John, Taber, Caroline and Ann. flames married Harriet Cutting, native of Essex, Eng., by whom he had 6 children, 3 of whom are living, - Albert J., Amelia and Phoebe, His first wife dying he married Miss Rachel Penny, by whom he had 6 children, 5 of whom are living: Hattie, Grace, May, Laura, Maud, Edwin J. and Mattie. Mr. S. went to St. Louis in 1839, and in 1849 came to Canton and opened the first meat market here. In

1854 he went into partnership with Stipj) & Maple and carried on a packing-house, slaughtering 15,000 hogs in one winter. In 1804 sold to Mr. McCall for ^10,000. He now lives near Canton where he has 2 large cider-presses. Capt. Sidney A. >Stockdale, his eldest son, enlisted in the 8th HI. Inf. in '61, and was detailed on Gen. Grant's staif, promoted to Adjutant of the 7th Cav. ; helped get up the 103d regt. and was Capt. of Co. C, and again assigned to Gen.

Grant's staff; was Provost Marshal at Nashville; was Deputy Collector at New Orleans. Travehnl for his health in 1S()4, hut died Dee. 2-'), 1864. Mr. S's second son was 1st Lieutenant of" Co. li., 17th III. Inf., and died Aug 27, '68.

William M. Swisher, M. D., was horn at Stanton, Augusta Co., Va., in 1827. His ]);i rents were Jaeoh and Catherine (Palm) Swisher. They removed to Mereer Co., A'^a., when he was a small hoy, where they remained until their death. Dr. S. eame to Farmington, this county, in 1851 ; one year later moved to Elm wood, where he practiced until '60, when he came to Canton. He received his education mostly at Kinsman, O., and at Alleghany College, Meadville, Pa. He read medicine with Dr. D. B. Packard of Greenville, Pa., for 4 years and during and after this time attended the Cleveland, O., Medical College, graduating in 1852. The Doctor, although not in the regular service as surgeon in the Rehellion, volunteered his services in a private ca])acity in taking care of the wounded at Fts. Donelson, Hymen and Henry, and had charge of a ward in the hospital at Moun City, 111. He married, in 1853, Susan Campbell. He has but one child, Edwin S. Swisher, also a physician, who has recently moved to Peoria. He has enjoyed unusual facilities for acquiring a thorough medical and surgical education. He is a graduate of the medical department of the ITniversity of New York City and of the New York Medical Institute ; also attended lectures at Bellevue Hosi)ital Medical College, N. Y., a course at Rush Medical College, Chicrgo, and in addition several hospital courses, including Charity Hospital, New York, Cook Co. liospital, Chicago, etc.

3[rs. Harriet Tat/lor was born in Buckheart township, this county, and is the daughter of A. Jackson and Jane (Hcndershot) Whitnali, both of whom reside in Canton. She was united in marriage with Samuel Taylor March 17, 1853. He died Sept. 8, 1876. Mr. Taylor taught school in this county for a few years, moved to Iowa M'ith his family and engaged in mercantile business at Troy and Ottumwa, but returned in 1866. Mrs. T. has a family of 7 children ; Ch;is. E., Jennie M., Andrew J. Calvin A., Annie M., Allie F. and Evaline. Chas. mirried Josie Hill, of Harlan, Iowa, March 2, 1879, and now resides in that State; the other children all live with their mother. She has ])een a member of the Presbyterian Church for 18 yenrs.

Robert Tdj/lor, deceased, was born in 171)8, iu Nova Scotia, of Scotch ancestry. His forefathers moved to Ireland, where at Londonderry his grandfather, Matthew Taylor, lived for some time, and then emigrated to Nova Scotia; but in 171)8 he moved to Ohio, taking Robert with him. The Intter when grown, first came to Indiana, then to this Co. in 1831 and married Mary McClcary, a native of Pennsylvania, and after wintering at Knoxville returned to Indiana; came back to Illinois in the fall of 1832 and located on sec. 7, this tp., but in 18;}:} bought a fu'in on sec. 6, where he remained for 33 years, and then, in 1866, he moved to Canton, where he died Aug. 29, 187(3, his wife hnvingdied tlie 22d of the same month, aged 79 years. Their eliildren were Calvin, Jolm M., Samuel W., Margaret, Marv Jane, Edward and Angeline. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were Presbyterians, he having been an Elder for 50 years. He was a zealous Republican, but he never took a prominent part in politics. He had often been asked to be Justice of the Peace, but he always refused.

James M. Thompson, proprietor of Edgewood Farm, one and a half miles from Canton, and breeder of blooded stock ; was born June 1, 1814, at Hackettstown, N. J., and is the son of Lewis and Sarah (Chidester) Thompson, who came to this county in 1837. Lewis died in 1847 ; his widow lives with her son, the subject of this sketch, at the age of 86 years. James M. was in the hardware business 6 or 7 years in New York city, and during that time spent 2 Avinters in Xew Orleans est-ablishing a branch store there. He came to this county in 1840, locating in Canton, where he carried on the dry-goods business for a few years. Pie ke])t the Farmer's Inn for 3 years, the Fulton House, now the Churchill, I'or 5 years. He sold this house and took ^13,500 Fulton Co. bonds in payment. The county rei)udiate(l th(> lionds, and Mr. T. lost the entir(> amount. He was married at Danville, X. J., Jan., 1841, to Anna R. Fleming. Nine children have been born to them: Sarah, deceased, John F., Catharine F., Lewis, Samuel M., Chas. I., deceased, Belle, Clara, deceased, Fraidv. ^Slr. T. commenced farming in 1802 and has a farm of 410 acres, finely improvetl, and a living spring of water on every 40 acres. He has made a specialty of feeding Short-Horn cattle and Berkshire hogs. This business is now carried on by his sons, S. M. and J. F. Thompson, on his fiarm ; and they have a herd of 300 licrkshires. They have ])nid as high as |^90O for one hog, which was imj)orted and on exhibition at the Centennial.

Joseph Thornhorrow, farmer, sec. 9, is a native of Cumberlandshire, England, where he was born Nov. 23, 1835. His parents were Wm. and Hannah A. (Cam])bell) Tliornborrow. Thev came to the U. S. in March, l'S57, and lived in New York for 8 months, and came to Fulton Co., and have lived here since, with the exception of about 2 years spent in California. He was married to P^mma

B. (Albright) Custer, who settled in this county in 1857. Wm. Grant is their only child. The farm ui)on which he resides is the old Custer homestead, and is the premium farm of the county, and took the premium when the Fulton Co. Fair was at its height of prosperity.

George Gruber Trifes, farmer, sec. 31, moved on his ])reseut farm in 1845 and has resided there since. He nuirried at Phila(l('l|)hia, Pa., Louisa Davis. They have had 10 children born to them, all of whom are living: Larena D., wife of Theo. Barnard; Geo. D. lives at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; Caj)t. Wm. H. ; Milan; Lydia ; Eliza; Margaret ; Louisa married Chas. M. Lilly ; Lewis E. ; John and

Susan. Wm. H. enlisted in ITtli Til. Inf. as Sergt. for 100 days, then for 3 vears ; was promoted 1st Lieut., then Cn})t. L( wis E. and George D.also served in the late war. Both Mr. and Mrs. T. are members of the New Jerusalem Church ; Mr. T. for 56 years and Mrs. T. for 63 years. Our subject was born in Delaware Co., Pa., i 1 Oct., 1801, and came to Illinois in 1844. His parents were ^^'m. and Lvdia (Trainor) Trites. Mrs. T.'s parents were Ocorge and Esther (Griffith) Davis, whose forefathers ci-me to Pennsylvania with Wm. Penn. Michael Trites, the grandparent of Mr. T., came to America before the Revolution and served in that war.

George W. Tucker is a native of Farmington township, where he was born in Nov., 1849. He married Mary Durhmd, of Fairview tp., who has borne him one child, Cordia Myrtle. His parents were Eleven and Catharine (Lake) Tucker, the former born near Cincinnati, O., and the latter in the city. They came to this county about 1828 and settled in Fairview tp., but in 5 years bought a iarm on sec. 4, Farmington tp. Eleven Tucker ditd in June, 1M5, leaving a widow and 5 children : Henry AV., J. Madison, Geo. W., Hannah A. and Chas. M. James M. is single and resides with his mother on the old homestead. Eleven Tucker occupied a prcmin(nt position in Farmington tp., and was respected by all who knew him, and left his family in good circumstances.

Jane Van Miildlesworth, Canton tp., was born Sept. 28, 1809, in New Jersey ; her father, John Addis, also a native of that State, died in 1876 at the age of 94; her mother, Ann McCullom, also a native of New Jersey, died in 1839, at the age of 54 years; her maiden name was Addis; she was married in 1832, and came to this ccmntv in 1835, with her husband, who died in June, 1867; their children are Waldron, Addis, James (died in infiincy), James and Marv Elizabeth. Addis served in Co. E, 103d 111. Inf Mrs. Van M. is a member of the Christian Church. Her father was a distiller, furniture dealer and lastly a plow and wagon manuflicturer. Her husband was a Democrat' Mrs. Y. since her husband's death has been a very active worker as the estate proved to be les> than was expected. ' She bought and sold land, making money in every transaction, and to-day she has her children all located in good homes with prospects for future prosperity. Even at the age of 70 she is a better financier than many of her juniors.

D. ir. Vittum is one of the oldest settlers now living in the county, and one of its most prominent business men, being personallv identified with very important business interests in Canton for 40 years, and now President of the National Bank. He was born at Sandwich, Strafford Co., N. H., in 1810, and first came to this countv in Dec, 1835, at which time, as nearly as Mr. V. now recollects, Canton was a place of some 200 inhabitants. Having brought with him goods suitable to stock a general store, he rented a building for that purpo.se on the corner of Prairie and Union streets. During the first vear he erected a stone-building on the southwest corner of the square, and now occupied as a meat market. Ever since then Mr. V. has been actively cno;aged in various kinds of" business. The first year of his business here money was plenty with almost everybody, and continued to be until 1837, the year of the great panic. During the early part of that year he had been to New York and bought $40,00u worth of goods, but had scarcely unpacked them when the panic struck the country, and it was impossible to sell goods for cash. He had bougiit his stock on time, as was the custom, and the inability to sell for cash caused great embarrassment to business. But extensions being granted by Eastern creditors and renewed from time to time for about 5 years, all obligations were met and the people once more free. Mr. V. was married at Canton in 18«38 to Celinda B. White, of Long Island, N. Y. The children by this marriage were: George B., now merchant of Canton ; So])hia, who died at the age of 3, and Celinda, who died in infancy. Mrs. V. died in 1850. He married in December of 1850 Harriet S. Childs, of York, N. Y. Their children are Chas. C, Fred D. and Will. C., all living in Canton.

Nathaniel Vitium was born in N. H. in 1804; his father, Tufton v., was a native of the same State, and married Dollie Weed, also a native of N. H. ; they had 3 children, - Sallie (now Mrs. Vittum), Nathaniel and D. W. They came to Fulton Co. about 1836. Nathaniel came to Canton in 1837, purchased 480 acres of land, and has followed farming ever since. He married Miss Clara Palmer, a native of N. H., and they have had three children, - Sarah Jane, Daniel and Martin Van Buren, deceased. Mr. V. now occupies his residence in Canton.

William Waddle, blacksmith, was born in Pennsylvania in 1831, and came to Peoria Co. in 1855, and engaged at his trade until the war broke out; then lie joined the 55th HI. Inf. and engaged in the camj):iign from Paducah to the evacuation of Corinth. Mr. W. served his apprenticeship at Pittsburg, Pa., and has worked at his trade 31 years. He has made the study of geology a specialty, and has a fine collection of the stony corals, gathered within a circuit of 10 miles of Canton. They embra(^e the most interesting geological specimens of this section, as the stomatopores, madrepores, astrjeas, calcite, syringo])ores, etc.

Jacob Y. Wallack, ice dealer, was born in the Buckeye State in 18 44, and came to Knox Co., 111., in 1848, and reared on a farm, and at the age of 21 learned the art of photography and followed it for 3 years, when he^entered the army and served 2 years; after his disch:U'ge he embarked in the milling business at Buckheart, 111., and at the end of 5 years came to Canton and entered the ice business, at which he has been engaged for the past G years. He also has the rainagement of Crystal Spring Lake and picnic grounds, situated about one mile from the Square. T\w lake is 20 rods in width and 70 in length, on which he has 10 pleasure boats and a small wheelsteamer with capacity of carrying 30 grown people and 40 children,

ArfliKi- Wdlkcr, attorney, of the firm of Whitney, Walker & Walker, is a son of the late Henry Walker, and was born in Canton, Aui>-. 15, 1S.")4. He was educated partly at the Canton High School and hejian the study of law at the age of 19. He attended the law departnient of the Michigan University for 2 years, and July 4, 1877, on completion of his studies, was admitted to the Bar.

Daniel W. Walker was born in Windham county, Yt., in 1835. His father, Bliss Walker, was of the same county ; Edward Walker, his grandfather, was one of the pioneers of the State of Vermont and a soldier in the Revolution. His mother was Lovina Newell, of the same place; left for Mississippi in 1852; returned to Rochester, Mass., and taught in the Academy for 2 years; came west in 1857 and located in Canton, and since has been closely engaged in business. He was married to Miss ^Slather E. Walter, daughter of Dr. James Walter, of Canton, in May, 1858. Lillie S., Mather E., Edward, Xellie and Frederick are their children.

Henri/ Walker, deceased, was a native of Xew York City. His parents were of Scotch descent and strong Presbyterians, and they determined to educate their son for the ministry ; but before his studies were completed, it not Ijeing agreeable to him, he left school and home when quite young and began for himself, although his parents were wealthy. He traveled quite extensively, both in Europe and the United States, and finally located at La Porte, Ind., doing a })lastering and mason business. He came to Canton in 1834 and followed the same business for several years, and erected many of the prominent buildings. He held many responsible official ])usitions, and was an active member of the Democratic party. During the last 16 years of his life, was actively engaged in the jiractice of law. He married at La Porte, Ind., Mary Hines. TheJr children both living and dead are : Emily, deceased ; Jeiferson, deceased; Job, who was County Treasurer from 1874 to '78 and now lives at Atlantic, la.; Alfred, Harriet and Leonidas, all deceased; and Meredith, Ann and Arthur, living in the county.

Hon. Meredith Walker, of the law firm of Whitney, Walker & Walker, was born at Canton in 1848, received his education at the Canton schools, read law from the age of 10 years, and was admitted to the Bar July 19, 1874. He was elected to the Illinois State Senate from the 25th District in 1878 and occupied a seat in that bodv durinjr it"^ 31st session. He is the vonng-est member of the Senate, being only 29 years old when elected. He was married !March 3, 1874, to Ada Hazen, daughter of John Hazen, of Canton. ]Mr. W. is a strong adherent to the Democratic party.

R. Whiteleji was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1822, came to r^\nton in 1849, and began work at 'Si 4 jicr month. He fi)llowed brick-making and eventually bought the j)roperty where he first conimeuced to work, and where a fine bank of clay some 12 feet deep aiFords abundant material for brick-making. He married Elizabeth Royle, in England, by whom he has had a family of 5 children, 2 of whom are living in Canton, - George and Thomas. His first wife died and he married Elizabeth Richards, of Franklin county, Pa.

Abram B. Whitenack, farmer, a native of Cayuga Co., N. Y., where he was born in 1825. He came to this county in 1850, and located on sec. 16, Canton tp., where he now resides. In 1851 he married Sarah Ann Hazen at her father's, John Hazen, in Canton tp. Mr, W.'s parents were Andrew and Hannah (Johnson) Whitenack, the former of New Jersey and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. H. helped to build the first frame house in Canton. They had 9 children, - Elisha, Zaba, Susan M., Mary, Sarah A., Elizabeth, John, Hannah and Jacob. All the girls are married and now livinp; in the countv, and all the bovs are dead.

Joseph B. Whittnore was born in Frederick Co., Md., May 14, 1807. His parents were Jonah and Catharine (Smith) Whitmore. His mother was a daughter of Capt. John Smith of the Revolutionary war. His father was a native of Maryland, and moved to Pennsylvania in 1811, where he farmed until 1844; then he came to Fulton Co., locating on sec. 19, Orion tp., where he farmed until his death in 1845. His wife died July 16, 1868. Joseph B. was united in marriage with Ann Harcleroad, a native of Bedford Co., Pa. They had 7 children, - H. Jackson, Mary Jane, Simon Peter, Ann Eliza, David, Lizzie and James. Mj-s. W. died June 30, 1845. His second wife was Catharine Lavton, - Mrs. Frost at the time of marriage. He owns a farm on sec. 30, Orion tp., but resides in Canton.

Andrew J. Whitnah, fiirmer, was born at West Liberty, W. Va., Feb. 23, 1815. His father, William Burns Whitnah, a native of Virginia, moved his family to Livingston Co., N. Y., in 1819, and farmed for 13 years; he then lived 4 years in Michigan. Andrew J. married Miss Elizabeth J. Hendershott, of New York, April 12, 1836, and 2 days later the entire family started in wagons for Galena, 111., but on reaching Ottawa, so difficult was it to obtain provisions that they were diverted from their purpose, and following down the Illinois river, came to Fulton county, where, with few changes, they have remained since and are now residing on a fine farm adjoining Canton. They have had 11 children, 5 of whom are living : Harriet, the widow of Taylor, of Canton tp. ; Hiram A., of Buckheart tp. ; Joseph C, on the old homestead in Buckheart ; Andrew J., jr., of Lewistown tp., and Effie J., at home. W. H. Wil.son, son of John B. Wilson, an early settler, is a native of Buckheart tp., this county, and was born in 1847. He is now farming on sec. 36, Canton tp. He married in Dec., 1868, Miss Mary Shriner, daughter of John Shriner, deceased. His widow is living with W. H. Wilson, her son-in-law, on the old homestead. W^ R. enlisted in the 7th 111. Cav. in 1864, then being only 17 years old, and served 18 months.

Ashcr Wrir/hf, farmer, sec. 16, was born in Canton township, and is the son of John M. Wrio;ht, one of the early settlers, dating back to 1834. Deacon Koyal Wright, Asher's gran<lj)arent, came to this county in 1834. His son, John M., worked and owned the homestead on sec. 20 until his death in 1859. Asher was married in February, 1877, to Julia E. Sanford, a native of Vermont, at Canton. They now live on the old homestead of 220 acres.

H. L. Wriyht, merchant, was born in Canton, 111., in 1832, and has lived here ever since. He began business with his brother, X. S. Wright, in 18oo, with a general stock of goods. He has been a member of the Board of Aldermen and is now President of the Board of Education. He was united in marriage with Miss Carrie D. Hall, of Canton, in 1855. Annie L., Frank C. and Clara are their children. He is a member of the Congregational Church.

Joel M right, deceased, Avas born in Hanover, X. H., in 1792; married Miss Emily Phelps, a native of Palmyra, X. Y., by whom he had 4 children, the 2 surviving being H. L. and X. S., now of Canton. The latter married ]Miss Laura Kelley, of Lewistown, HI., in 1874, and has one son, William K, Joel W. emigrated to this State in 1818 and settled at Edwardsville. In 1820 moved to Monto-omerv countv and was elected Sheriff in '21. He moved to Galena and then to this county in 1828, and July, '29, was married to Emily Phelps. She died in 1861. In 1830 he was elected to the State Senate. He commenced merchandising in Canton in 1830. In 1832 he w^as appointed Postmaster, which position he held for many years. He was appointed one of the Commissioners to carry out the great system of internal impro\^^ment of the State in 1837, He belonged to a long-lived family. The ages of his great-grandfather and mother and 10 children aggregate 642 years.

Hon. Granrille Barverc, one of the most prominent attorneys of the Fulton County Bar, .and now residing at Canton, was born at Hillsboro, Highland county, Ohio, July 11, 1831. His father's name was John M. Barrere, who was a merchant at Hillsboro and native of Ky. He gave his son Granville the benefit of a liberal education which was acquired at Augusta College, Ky., and Marietta College, O. The subject of this sketch commenced his legal studies in 1852, in the law office of his uncle, Xelson Barrere, at Hillsboro; read law in this office for about 3 years, when he was admitted to the Bar at Chillicothe, O., in the flill of 1854. In 1855 he first came to Illinois, finally locating at Canton and commenced the practice of law, in which profession he soon took a prominent and leading ])osition which he has retained until the present time; has taken an active part in j)olitics, being a "stalwart" supi^orter of Ivepul)licanism ; he was nominated and elected by that party in 1872, to rejjresent them at the 43d U. S. Congress from the 9th Congressional District; served until 1876, when he returned to his legal practice at Canton.

The following is a list of almost all of the township officials serving since the organization of the township, together with the years of serving :