Canton Township (part 1 of 6)

Isaac Swan, And Nathan Jones

PRIOR to 1821, the present site of the Town of Canton was uninhabited. Deer, turkeys, and other wild denizens of the wood and prairie, were the only occupants. In 1822, Theodore Sergeant, Captain D. W. Barnes and Charles Sergeant came into the township, settling on the place now occupied by John Lane, Esq., northwest of Canton.

In 1822, Theodore Sergeant visited the land office at Vandalia and obtained a list of Congress lands in Fulton county. By some mistake, the northeast quarter of section 27, in Township 7 North, 4 East, on which afterward was laid out the original town site, was given, on this list, as Congress and unentered land. Sergeant, being then a single man, decided to "preempt" it; and accordingly erected a cabin near but north of the site of the present High-School building, and broke up and put into cultivation a few acres of ground. Being a single man and not disposed to keep bachelor's hall, he employed a blacksmith, in about 1823, by the name of Harrison Hughland, to occupy his cabin, board him, and carry on blacksmithing. Hughland was a maker of cow-bells, and did the first manufacturing of any kind in the township, manufacturing bells for the few settlers in the county. Hughland carried on the shop only about one year for Sergeant, but afterward worked here for a short time on his own account.

In 1824, Sergeant was visited by Isaac Swan, who exhibited to him a military title for his claim. Sergeant at once vacated the place, and Swan entered into possession. Swan was accompanied by his brother-in-law, Nathan Jones. Jones owned the northwest quarter of section 34, in the same township ; and as the two quarters " cornered" with each other, and as Jones's quarter was timber land, considerably broken, and considered of little value for cultivation, while Swan's was prairie, smooth, and a choice farming tract, they entered into an arrangement by which each quarter was divided through the centre from east to west. Swan took, under this arrangement, the north half of each quarter, and Jones the south half.

Isaac Swan saw the advantage of the location as a town site, and determined at once to lay off a town. He proposed to Jones that they should jointly survey the west forty acres of each one's prairie tract; but Jones objected.

At this time a man by the name of Kinney was living on the northeast quarter of section twenty-seven, since known as the old Coleman farm. Kinney claimed to own the quarter, and proposed to Swan that he would join in the enterprise. To this Swan consented; and accordingly, on the 10th day of December, 1825, the Town of Canton was " staked off" and began its career. Kinney's lots were numbered from one to fifty-four, in consecutive order, and Swan's, beginning at fifty-five, continued up to one hundred and eight.

Some time in the following season, John Coleman, sen., came into the country with a title to the quarter of land claimed by Kinney, and at once ousted him from possession. Prior to this, Kinney, doubtless knowing his claim to be worthless, had proposed to Isaac Swan that they should divide lots alternately through both tracts, in order that, when purchasers presented themselves, they might say that one-half their lots had already been sold. Swan very foolishly consented to this arrangement. At the time Coleman ousted Kinney, he had sold no lots except on Swan's part of the plat. Of course, such sales proved to him clear profit.

Kinney remained in Canton a few years, until, finally, on one occasion, he proposed to Swan that he could make more money manufacturing bogus silver than in any other way, and proposed to Swan that he join him in the business. Swan was an honest man, and no such proposition could be made to him with impunity. He at once notified Kinney that he had just twentyfour hours in which to wind up his business relations with Canton and Canton people, and make his escape from the wrath that was sure to overtake him if he tarried beyond that time. Pie did not tarry, it is recorded.

street. When Coleraan came into possession, he fenced up Kinney's survey, fencing to the centre of this street; and here originated a controversy that for years was kept up in regard to Adelphi street - one party claiming that Coleman could not, by law, vacate it ; the other claiming that he could.

The boundaries of Swan's portion of the town were as follows : beginning at the corner of Fourth and Adelphi streets; thence west to the corner of North-First and Adelphi ; thence south to the corner of North-First and Union ; thence east to the corner of Union and Fourth streets ; thence north to the place of beginning.

Swan soon induced Jones to lay off an addition immediately south of the original town, but at what date the recorded plat does not show. This was Jones's first Addition to the Town of Canton, and extended from the corner of Fourth and Union streets west to the corner of Union and First streets ; thence south one block to Elm street; thence east to the corner of Elm and Fourth streets ; thence north one block to the place of beginning.

Jones laid off on his the present Public Square, he owning the property on three sides of it, and Swan on one (the north) side. This addition was probably laid out in the spring or summer of 1830.

Canton received its name, given to it by Isaac Swan, from a notion he entertained that in its location it was directly the antipodes of its Chinese namesake. Pekin, in Tazewell county, had been laid out a short time previously, and Isaac determined, he said, " that the two celestial cities should be represented at precisely their opposite pole on the earth's surface."

Isaac Swan erected the first building on the original town plat, immediately after it was laid out. This building was a log-cabin, perhaps sixteen by eighteen feet, and was for some time known as " Swan's catch-all." It was designed as a stopping-place for any family that might come in, until they could build ; when unoccupied, he used it as a carpenter's shop. This building was situated on Union street, above Fourth.

The first family to avail themselves of this "catch-all" was the family of John Hannan, who came in soon after Swan and Jones. Hannan obtained from Swan a lot on Main street, now occupied by S. Smith, Esq., and built the first house intended for a residence in town. This was a cabin, and was occupied by him until his death, Avhich occurred at Beardstown, in 1831, as he was returning from a trip to St. Louis. His widow continued to occupy the same house for some time, when she removed to the Hannan farm, just east of the C. B. & Q. Railroad.

John C. Owens came in about the same time the Hannans did, and erected a cabin on Wood street, on the block now owned and occupied by Mrs. Dr. Childs. It was in this house that, in all probability, the first white child was born in the original Town of Canton. It is claimed by some that Harrison Hughland's wife gave birth to the first white child while living near the Central School-House site. If this is true, as there seems to be reason to believe, this child - whether male or female is not now known - was the earliest born Avithin the present city limits. But John C. Owens's oldest boy - name not known - was, without doubt, the first born in the original plat. Mr. Owens was a farmer. By his first wife he wan a son-in-law of old Father Fraker, who lived just west of Big Creek at that time. Owens at this time, however, was living with his second wife, who was a sister of Lewis Walling's first wife. Owens and Fraker removed from Canton, at an early date, and settled at Fraker's Grove. Owens is still living, at or near Mt. Carroll, in Carroll county.

Swan was a man of enterprise, and was determined that his town should be populated at once ; so, as an inducement to settlers, he announced his determination to give a lot to any man who would build and become a settler in the town. John Hannan was the first man to secure a lot, and was followed soon by others. Swan kept this offer good until about 1833, stipulating, however, in later years, as to the kind of house that should be built.

At this time (1826) Samuel Morse resided on what was then known as the Morse quarter, west of and adjoining the town plat. His cabin stood on the ground now occupied by the residence of Perry Plattenberg, Esq., on Main street, west of First street. Morse was the owner of a hand mill, upon which was ground much of the corn-meal of the settlers of Canton. As most of the pres-*s ent generation have not been blessed with a sight of one of the old style of hand mills, we will copy for their benefit Gov. John Reynolds's description.

are propelled by man or woman power. A hole is made in the upper stone, and a staff of wood is put in it, and the other end of the staff is put through a hole in a plank above, so that the whole is free to act. One or two persons take hold of this staff, and turn the upper stone with as much velocity as possible. An eye is made in the upper stone, through which the corn is let into the mill with the hand in small quantities, to suit the mill, instead of the hopper."

Samuel Morse continued to reside in Canton until some time about 1834, when he removed to Knox county. He was a plain, unassuming, honest man, a good neighbor and citizen. His wife, Mary Morse was a tailoress, and the first who ever worked in Canton. She is still living in Mills county, Iowa, and, although more than eighty years of age, still makes her own living by her needle. She was a pattern of the best class of pioneer women. Intelligent, of fair education, kindly impulses, and of courteous carriage, she made the impression upon all with whom she came in contact that she was indeed a lady of the old school. Of her numerous children, but one, Thomas A. Morse, is now living.

Theodore Sergeant, who was indeed the pioneer of Canton, was born in New Hampshire. He served five years in the Regular Army, including in that period the War of 1812. He was discharged at Detroit, Michigan. Soon after his discharge, he fell in company with Captain D. W. Barnes and Wm. Blanchard, who, with his brother Charles Sergeant, determined to unite their fortunes and visit the Far West in search of the "Bounty Land" Congress had given them in the Military Tract of Illinois. This party, after leaving Detroit, made their way on foot through the wilderness to Fort Wayne, Indiana; thence by skiff down the Wabash to Vincennes. Here disposing of their skiff, they walked across the Territory of Illinois to St. Louis, and, again taking skiff, came to Fort Clark - now Peoria. In 1819 they jointly opened a farm opposite Peoria, at the mouth of Farm Creek, to which they gave its name.

Sergeant soon made a trip into Fulton county in search of his land. He found it to be located in the brakes of Big Creek, some where in what has since been known as the Wilcoxen settlement, several miles south of Canton, and by no means a desirable location for a farm. He reported, however, to his companions that there were fine lands, good timber, and plenty of water, a few miles north of his land, and advised the party to make their final and permanent settlement here. Accordingly, in 1821, Captain D. W. Barnes, Theodore Sergeant, and Charles Sergeant, removed to Fulton county and made a temporary settlement near the mouth of Spoon River. Barnes was the only married man in the party, and hence has the honor of being named in this connection as being indeed the first settler in Canton township, to which he removed in 1822. His location was on the farm now owned and occupied by John Lane, Esq., northwest of town.

Sergeant continued to make his home with Barnes until his marriage, which occurred on the 5th day of November, 1824. He married Miss Rachel Brown. This was the first wedding that occurred in Canton township, and was one of the earliest marriages celebrated in the county. It has been incorrectly stated that this wedding was the first in the county ; but we have Mr. Sergeant's own statement to the contrary. He says, however, that he did make proposals for the hand of the lady for whom is claimed the honor of being the first woman married in the county. He relates it as follows :

" I had made up my mind that I ought to have a housekeeper, and accordingly had my eye out for one. Some how, I heard that there was an old lady living down toward the mouth of Spoon River, by the name of Wentworth, who had some gals that wanted to marry, so I concluded I would go down and see about it. I did so, and on arriving there at once made my business known to old Mrs. Wentworth. The old lady looked me over, with the air of a judge of the article she wanted, and began her catechism by asking me what I followed, my age, and where I was from. I told her I was twenty-nine years old, had been five years a soldier, and thought I could manage a wife. That I was from Barnes's settlement, was opening a farm, and wanted a gal to help me pull through the start. The old lady shook her head and informed me that I would not suit her gals, as she had made up her mind that they should all marry store-keepers. I told her, if that was the case, I reckoned her gals would not suit me, as I wanted one that could pull with me on the start."

Sergeant returned to Canton from this unsuccessful wooing, and reported the result to the few young men in this part of the county. They at once determined to get even with the family whose notions were so aristocratic. There was an occasional peddler, named Clark, who came through the county on horseback, carrying needles, thread and other small wares in a sack, dividing his stock into equal portions and balancing it over his saddle. This Clark was the first peddler who visited the county. Clark was not a man of much force of character, and it was determined to send him after the Wentworth girls. He readily acceded to the proposition, and soon visited Mrs. W. In reply to her interrogatories, Clark informed the old lady that he resided in Peoria, and sold goods for a livelihood. This filled the old lady's bill, nnd she at once gave her daughter to Clark in marriage; and Sergeant thinks theirs was the first wedding celebrated in the county. It took place a few weeks prior to Sergeant's wedding.

George S. McConnell, however, relates an incident connected with the first court held in the county, in the spring or early summer of the same year, which establishes the fact that Clark's could not have been the first wedding, as at that court a couple were divorced, the woman being a sister of the Tottens, and the same night the divorced woman was married to one of the jurors, by the name of Williams, who had tried her cause.

Sergeant's wedding, being the first in the township, is well worthy of commemoration, and fortunately we have, in the person of Henry Andrews, one of the wedding party, a faithful and graphic chronicler.

He says, this wedding was an event in the Barnes neighborhood. It occurred at the cabin of Daniel Brown, the father of the bride. All the neighbors were invited, and probably all were assembled in the cabin : still, though small, it was not nearly full. The bride was gorgeously appareled in a checked linsey homespun dress, a three-cornered handkerchief about her neck, and her feet encased in moccasins. The groom also wore moccasins, and a full suit of new linsey, colored with butternut-bark. The guests were dressed much the same, and were seated on puncheon benches around the sides of the cabin. Captain Barnes, at that time County Commissioner, performed the marriage ceremony, with due and becoming dignity. At the conclusion of the ceremony, all the gentlemen present "saluted the bride." When this ceremony had been completed, old Mr. Brown produced a "noggin" of whisky and a bran-new tin-cup - then considered a very aristocratic drinking-vessel, - and passed the customary beverage to all present. All drank from the cup, filling it from the "noggin" when empty, and passing it from hand to hand until again empty. The liquor soon began to make the guests merry, and jokes and songs were considered to be in order. George Matthews, a gay old bachelor, was considered a very fine ballad-singer, and sang a song that would scarcely be considered appropriate on a festive occasion at this day. Mr. Andrews gives from memory two verses of this ballad :

During this season, William Betson, a New-Light preacher, preached in this settlement, at Canton, and at other points in the county. His wife was a German lady, and waged warfare against the Masonic fraternity, - her one argument, on all occasions, being, "I does not pelief in dose Freemasoners ; kaze'dey vont lets de vimmens knows all apout it : so dere ! "

In 1824, Yelverton Peyton erected a house within the present city limits, on the Coleman tract, near where Hayden Keeling now occupies as a brickyard. Peyton was a large man and a giant in strength. It is said that he cut the logs for his cabin and "backed" them up on his shoulders, carrying logs no two ordinary men could have lifted. Peyton lived here a few years and was taken down with consumption. He went south, finally, for his health, and died. His widow, who is a sister of John McCann, is still living near Utica.

Until about 1830, there were no regular dry-goods stores in Canton. Up to that period goods were purchased either at Edwardsville or St. Louis. The settlers would several of them club together, and select one or two of their number to take a "pirogue," loaded with the neighborhood peltry, beeswax and honey, to one or the other of those markets, and exchange it for salt, lead, powder, and such other goods as might be within the scope of their ambition or means. This trip occupied about two months' time, and was attended with considerable difficulty and not a little danger.

One of the buildings erected in Canton in 1825 was a schoolhouse. It was situated on the west side of Wood street, between Union and Illinois streets, on the lot now owned and occupied by Hon. A. C. Babcock. John C. Owens was the first school-teacher. This house merits a description. It was of logs, unhewn and by no means straight. The roof was low and covered with clapboards, kept in place by weight-poles. The house-logs were very small, of willow and cottonwood timber, principally. Several holes were cut through the logs to let the dark out, but admitted a very scanty supply of light. The floor, for the first year, was of the best variety of prairie soil, tramped hard by the feet of the young ideas who were there taught to shoot. The seats were logs split in two parts and supported on pins driven into holes bored for the purpose. The one writing-desk was a wide puncheon, with its upper surface planed, and supported on slanting pins driven into one of the logs. The door, of unshaved clapboards, swung upon wooden hinges. One side of the room was occupied by an enormous old-fashioned fire-place. There was no ceiling save the clapboard roof, although one or two joists held a wide puncheon, whereon, at overcrowded meetings - for this school-house also did duty as a place of worship, - the more adventurous of the boys would climb and sit out the service, with their bare legs swinging over the heads of the worshipers below. Here Owens assembled a few of the children in the winter of 1825 and 1826 - Jo. and Jim Anderson, Henry Andrews, Ed. Therman, Harriet, Elmira and Williston Jones, the Owens children, the Peyton, Hughland and Fraker children, and a few others. Owens was succeeded by Ezra Fairchild. Fairchild succeeded in getting a puncheon floor put into the school-house, and some other trifling improvements made. He was an excellent teacher, and for many years held the position of Justice of the Peace in Canton, being the successor of Isaiah Stillman in that office.

Fairchild opened the first coal-mine ever regularly worked in the township. It was a drift mine, on the Morse quarter, and the mouth of the mine opened at the east side of where the enginehouse of Babcock's Mill is now built.

In 1823 there settled, on the northwest quarter of section thirty-five, 7 North, 4 East, a man by the name of Joseph Anderson. Anderson had before been living for a time near the present site of Utica. He had been a soldier in the British army during the war of 1812; but, being taken prisoner by the American forces under General Scott, had decided to cast his fortunes with the American people. Anderson was a thorough-going, enterprising man, an Irishman of education, and the kind of man best adapted to pioneer life. He brought with him to Canton township seven children - five boys and three girls. The boys were Joseph, Richard, James, Samuel, and A. N., familiarly known as Doc. Anderson. Samuel died when only seven years old; Richard died here at an early day, James only a few years ago. Joseph and A. N. are still living in Canton. The girls were Marguerette, who died here unmarried ; Jane and Isabella, both of whom were - Jane the first, and Isabella the second - wives of J. B. Maloney. Isabella is still living in Canton.

Mrs. Anderson survived her husband until August, 1865, residing constantly on the old homestead. She was an excellent woman, well remembered, by old and young who lived in Canton during her life, as "Aunt Molly Anderson." She was in some degree eccentric, but kind, genial, and hospitable. No person in want or trouble ever applied to her for aid or sympathy and was refused.

The Anderson farm extended as far north as Walnut street, and as far west as the C.B.& Q. railroad track. A portion of it is now occupied by Anderson's Addition to Canton.

The very first mill of any description in Canton township was a band-mill owned by Father Fraker, as he was called, who lived on the east end of Captain Barnes's farm, a little west and north of the Fairview Bridge. He came int6 the neighborhood in 1823, and remained two or three years, when he removed to Fraker's Grove, in the north part of the state, to which he gave its name.

There was a family here in 1824 by the name of Garland, who lived on the Coleman land. Garland is believed to have been a brother-in-law of Kinney, but little is known of him.

In 1826 the entire population of Canton consisted of the families of Nathan Jones, Samuel Morse, John Hannan, J. C. Owens, Harrison Hughland - who went to the lead-mines with his family the next year and did not return, - Joseph Anderson, Wm. Higgins, Yelverton Peyton, and Isaac Swan - a single man. Swan soon after married Elizabeth Addis.

In the township, outside of Canton, were living Captain D. W. Barnes, Theodore Sergeant, Charles Sergeant, Henry Therman, George Matthews, Aaron Roberts, John Pixley, Seth Littler - in whose memory Littler's Creek, in Knox county, was named, - David Gallentine, a Mr. Campbell, John Coleman, Father Fraker, Thos. Wolf, Daniel Babbett, and possibly one or two others, whose names are not now known.

In about 1824, Jacob Ellis was living in the neighborhood of Independence, in Putman township. He was running a band mill, the first in this portion of the county. I am indebted to Reynolds's History of Illinois for a description of the pioneer "band mill."

" The Band Mill was so called because a raw-hide band was put on the large drive- wheel, in the place of cogs; it saved the gearing of the mill. They constituted the lowest and cheapest order of horse-mills. Pins are put in the place of cogs, and around them the band is placed. These pins may be changed into holes made for the purpose, so that the bands may be made tight when necessary."

John Coleman established one of these mills north of the Fairview Bridge. This mill was celebrated for " making haste - and meal - slowly." It was said that it ran so slow that the dogs were in the habit of chewing in two the band while the mill was running; when Coleman would call to Jerry, who drove the team, to know what was the matter, and Jerry would respond that "the dod denied dogs had chawed the band in two again."

Jacob Ellis erected a water mill between Canton and Lewistown about 1824, which did a good business. He erected another mill within three miles of Canton, on Big Creek, about 1829 -'30. -This mill brought milling very convenient to the people of Canton.

Some of the people, who were not close to some of these primitive mills, contented themselves with preparing their meal on a "grater." These "graters" were perforated sheets of tin bowed on to a board, so that the shape was similar to half of a section of stove-pipe; the rough edges of the perforated tin would tear the grains of corn, when it was rubbed briskly over its surface, and by an hour's hard labor meal enough for a small cake could be manufactured.

THE Act of the Legislature for the organization and establishment of the County of Fulton, and defining its boundaries as they now exist, was passed on the 28th of January, 1823. Several other counties had their boundaries defined by the same act, but were not to be organized until they should attain the requisite population. Until the period of their organization they were to be attached to Fulton county, for all purposes, just as though they were actually a part of it.

Peoria county was a part of this attached territory, and the village of -Peoria furnished to Fulton county its first sheriff, in the person of Abner Eads, who, in 1823, at the first election, beat Ossian M. Ross for that position. The Peorians, it is said, came down from Peoria in " pirogues " to the mouth of Spoon River, then "pulled" up that stream to the neighborhood of Lewistown, which was the only voting-place in the county, bringing their whisky and their candidate with them.

The first session of the circuit court of which I can get any knowledge was held at Lewistown, in June, 1824. This certainly was not the first court; but, as the records of the county for the first year after its organization have disappeared, no account of its proceedings have reached me.

Mr. George S. McConnell was a spectator at the court held in June, 1824. He says that Thos. Reynolds, a brother of Gov. John Reynolds, was judge. Hugh R. Coulter, a brother-in-law of Ossian M. Ross, was circuit clerk. Coulter was at the same time justice of the peace, and held several other official positions.

The court was held in Coulter's house. This was a double log-cabin, containing some three or four rooms. Mr. McConnell does not remomber seeing but two lawyers in attendance, these being John Shaw and Nicholas Hanson, nor does he remember which acted in the capacity of circuit attorney. The panel of jurors was so scanty that the same persons had to sit both on the grand and traverse juries.

In 1824, the Board of County Commissioners consisted of David W. Barnes, Thomas Covill, and a Mr. Moffett. Wm. Totten and John Pixley were the only constables in the county.

Out Of Meat

ONE day in the fall gf 1823, Henry Andrews relates, there came two land-hunters to the cabin of Col. Barnes. These men were Joshua Moore and Levi Ellis. Barnes invited them in the the most cordial manner to make his house their headquarters while in the neighborhood, and the invitation was cheerfully accepted. Mrs. Barnes announced to her husband that the meat was'out that evening, and that she did not know what she was going to do for something to eat. As meat and corn-bread or hominy was about the extent of the pioneer bill of fare at that period, this announcement was received with some consternation. Barnes had no stock to kill, and had neglected hunting, from the pressure of his fall work. George Matthews was at that time working at Barnes's, and in the morning he undertook to find some game. He started out east of Barnes's cabin, and had been gone but a few moments before the report of his gun was heard, and his halloo for help soon followed it. The whole family started for the scene of action, anxious to know the result. Matthews had shot and killed a fine doe within a short distance of the house, and was proceeding to skin it. This gave Mrs. Barnes relief, and she furnished her guests an abundance of venison during the balance of their stay.

Moore purchased land in what is now Joshua township, and gave the township its name. Ellis settled at Ellisville, which township was also named in his honor. He built a mill at the ^present site of Ellisville. Both of them were prominent and useful men, and possessed of great influence among the people at that early day.

where Piper's Woolen Factory now stands in Canton. The freer was wounded : Pixley swore it had been shot through the "heart. He followed it across the prairie to the head of what is now Buckheart Grove, where he lost track of it. Pixley used to tell the story as an instance of the wonderful tenacity of life possessed by deer, always insisting that he had unquestionably shot that buck through the heart, and that afterward he had followed it five miles and it had finally escaped him. The grove where it disappeared was called Buckheart Grove in derision of this story, and the stream running through it received the same name, which was also afterward extended to the township.

The 'first tavern licence issued to a citizen of Canton township was granted to Captain David W. Barnes, on the 6th of September, 1824. Mr. Barnes was, by the Board of County Commissioners, allowed to charge for a single meal 37|- cents, lodging 1 2£ cents, unless two persons occupied one bed, when the bill should be 6^ cents each. Single feed of oats or corn, 25 cents. Whisky, per half-pint, the charge. was fixed at 12£ cents; rum or gin, per half-pint, 25 cents; brandy or wine, per half-pint, 37^ cents. At this time there were but three licensed taverns in the county : one kept by Ossian M. Ross, at Ross's Ferry; one by Stephen Phelps, at Lewistown ; and Capt. Barnes's. The Board of County Commissioners, or County Court, at this time were James Gardner, James Barnes, and David W. Barnes. This board received an application for and granted to John L. Bogardus a license to keep a ferry across the Illinois River, from the Village of Peoriato the opposite bank, in Sangamon county - Peoria at that time being in territory that was attached to and under the jurisdiction of Fulton county.

Habits And Customs Of The Pioneers

THE Pioneer was a jolly, generous soul. Meanness did not enter into his composition. The social scale was exactly balanced, all occupying precisely the same level. The idea that one man was socially the superior of any other man was not to be entertained for one moment: either dirt or puncheon floors. The puncheon floor was made by splitting logs into slabs of six or eight inches in thickness, hewing one surface, and dressing the edges with the broad-axe. This made a substantial if not even or close-jointed floor. The roof of the cabin was of clapboards, and kept in position by logs of wood laid on its upper surface. These logs were called weightpoles. The chimney was usually made by building a kind of puncheon double frame for the fire-place, and filling in the space between - about ten or twelve inches in thickness - with clay which was well pounded in - the chimney above being made of sticks built up pen fashion and well daubed with earth mortar. The hearth was generally pounded clay, unless stone suitable happened to be very convenient and plenty. The door was usually made of clapboards, with a wooden latch on the inside, and was opened from the outside by pulling the latch-string. When the " latch-string was out," the approaching comer knew the folks were at home, and, if at all acquainted, never took the trouble of knocking. If a stranger, he would generally announce his approach by a loud " halloo, the house ! " which would bring the good man and woman each, or either who happened to be at home, to the door, followed by as many juveniles as the cabin afforded. If the caller was a footman and a stranger, he first rapped on the door and called, in a loud voice, "Who keeps the house ? " and would receive the response from within, " Housekeepers : come in."

The furniture of the cabin was as primitive as the occupants. In one corner - perhaps in two or three corners - were the bedsteads. These were your genuine cottage bedsteads, made by boring one hole, say four feet from one corner of the cabin, into a " house-log," another hole, say six feet from the same corner, on another side ; opposite these holes was set an upright post, usually a section from the body of a peeled sapling; in this post two holes would be bored at any desired hight, and at right angles with each other ; poles were inserted in these holes, making in this manner a square frame ; over this frame was laid a covering of clapboar.ds, or, as some denominated them, " shakes," and on top of this platform the bed was spread. The chairs were - to make a bull - not chairs, but three-legged stools or puncheon benches. The cupboard was literally, a cupboard, being a puncheon supported by pins driven into holes in the house-logs at some con- venient corner. The boxes which had held the family dry goods while en route to the new country generally furnished the table, and a trough or troughs the meat and soap barrels. Hollow logs saw^ed into sections and provided with a puncheon bottom furnished a receptacle for meal, potatoes, beans, wheat, " and sich like truck" - to use the pioneer vernacular. The table was bounteously supplied with "samp," "ley hominy," corn pone, honey, venison, pork, stewed pumpkin, wild turkey, prairie chicken, and other game. Wheat bread, tea, coffee, and fruit - except wild fruit - were luxuries not to be indulged in except on special occasions, as a wedding or gala day. " Samp" was quite a frequent dish. It was made by burning a hole into some convenient stump in the shape of a mortar; this hole was filled with corn and pounded by a large pestle hung like the old-fashioned well-sweep pendent from a long pole, which was nearly balanced on an upright fork. This pole had a weight attached to one end and the pestle to the other ; the weight would lift the pestle, while manual force was expected to bring it down. When the " samp " was pounded sufficiently, it was washed and boiled like rice.

The traveler always found a welcome at the pioneer's cabin. It was never full : although there might already be a guest for every puncheon, there was still " room for one more," and a wider circle would be made for the new-comer at the log fire. If the stranger was in search of land, he was doubly welcome, and his host would volunteer to show him all the " first-rate claims in this neck of woods," going with him for days, showing the corners and advantages of every "Congress tract" within a dozen miles from his own cabin.

To his neighbors the pioneer was equally liberal. If a deer was killed, t"he choicest bits were sent to his next neighbor, a halfdozen miles away, perhaps. When a " shoat" was butchered, the same custom prevailed. If a new-comer came in too late for " cropping," the neighbors would supply his table with just the same luxuries they themselves enjoyed, and in as liberal quantity, until a crop could be raised. When the new-comer had located his claim, the neighbors for miles around would assemble at the site of the new-comer's proposed cabin and aid him in "gittin' it up." One party with axes would fell and hew the logs; another with teams would haul the logs to the ground; another party would " raise the cabin " ; while several of the old men would

"rive the clapboards" for the roof. By night the cabin would be up and ready for occupying, and by the next day the new-comer was in all respects as well situated as his neighbors.

Saturday was a regular holiday, in which work was ignored and every body went to town or to some place of general resort. When all were together in town, sport began. Of course, whisky circulated freely and every body indulged to a greater or less extent. Quarrels were now settled by hand-to-hand encounters ; wrestling-matches came off or were arranged for in the future; jumping, foot-racing, and horse-racing filled up the interval of time; and every body enjoyed the rough sports with a zest unknown among the more refined denizens of the present good City of Canton.

The fleetest runner among the pioneers was_Stephen Coleman ; the champion wrestler was Daniel Babbett; while at fisti-cuffs the belt was contested for between Stephen^Coleman and Emsly Fouts. Coleman and Fouts were nearly equally matched, and on several occasions waged desperate war, with varying fortunes, until they held their last great battle, which will never be forgotten by the pioneers. It was on election-day, in the fall of 1831. For weeks before it had been understood that they were to fight. On election-day, accordingly, they met on Union street, in front of Tyler's Tavern, and, surrounded by an immense crowd of their respective friends, proceeded to settle their difficulty. The fight was fierce, long, and bloody. Coleman, it was claimed, struck Fouts before he was entirely divested of his coat, and by this means began with the advantage in his favor, which advantage he was able to maintain until Fouts, after a gallant struggle, was forced to yield. Coleman's friends raised him on their shoulders, and marched with him a triumphal march to the Public Square and back.

Fouts was defeated,"but/as he believed, notTairly, and he determined to renew the contest ori^another occasion. This was also understood, and the final struggle was looked forward to by the settlers with even more expectantjnterest^than^the first. Accordingly, a few weeks later, one Saturday, Fouts came to town for the purpose of meeting Coleman. He stopped at Dickey Johnson's, where he left his coat and put himself in fighting trim. Johnson accompanied*him to'town and acted as his friend and second. Fouts soon met Coleman, and informedHiim thatMie had come to town expressly to settle their little trouble. Coleraan -began to draw his leather coat, but before it was off Fonts took the same advantage Coleman had taken in the previous fight, and struck him. This advantage was all he desired, and vigorously did he follow it up. Coleman was not easily handled, however, and soon was stripped and in fighting trim. The fight was a desperate one, and it was soon Apparent that neither would acknowledge defeat. Fouts, however, had so well followed up his advantage that Coleman's friends parted them, and ever after neither could be induced to attack the other.

Foot-racing, jumping and wrestling were also indulged in on Saturdays, and among the pioneers were men of fleet foot, strong arm, and sinewy limb. John Anderson, a saddler who worked for Bryant L. Cook, was credited with the fleetest foot prior and up to the storm in 1835; while Alexander Gumming, a brother-inlaw of Jacob Weaver, was said to excel all others in jumping. In 1830 and the immediately succeeding years John Scurlock and Abram Putman were the champion runners, and Putman the champion jumper. Occasionally the sport would be varied by a horse-race, while whisky and jokes were freely indulged in. Some of these pioneers were rare old jokers, too. The point of their joke would some times rub a raw place in their victim, but for that so much the better.

There was running through this pioneer life, too, a deep, rich vein of religious sentiment. The pioneer preachers were no carpet knights, but men who preached from a stern sense of religious duty. They were not deterred from filling their appointments by wind or weather, but swam rivers, faced northers, and passed through the perils of the wilderness, to carry the glad tidings of the gospel to the frontiersmen. Peter Cartwright, Father Somers, Woolescroft, John M. Ellis, Jno. G. Bergen, Jesse Williams, Ozias Halej Jno. Clark, and their colaborers, were - some of them, perhaps, not eloquent - but all devoted, true, worthy men - men who preached a pure religion; for there was a religion in the olden time, a religion plain, unostentatious and simple, but earnest, pure and undefiled. Plain men and plain women met together, not for display, not for frivolous discourse, but for the worship of the one Living God, whose handiwork they recognized in the forests and prairies, and whose watchful care they felt around them every day, in preserving them from the savage, and

'from the innumerable dangers to which their pioneer life was subject. They met, not in turreted church, with stained-glass windows, to seat themselves on cushioned seats, and listen to hired musicians, who torture elegant organs by singing the words of religion to the music of the opera and the ball-room. They met iri the settler's cabin, coming on foot, or horseback or in rude oxcarts to the place of worship. They came, not dressed in velvets, not loaded with panniers and false hair; but plain women in moccasins, or cowhide brogans, wearing modest three-cornered handkerchiefs over plain linsey or homespun checked cotton gowns, their hair, as God caused it to grow, unadorned, combed Out smooth and glossy, and hidden from view by the primitive Methodist bonnet, or the modest sun-bonnet, as our mothers wore it. The men came, not kid-gloved bewhiskered dandies in tights, and boots that were a size too small for their feet, and walking with a gait as ungraceful as disgusting; but clad in linsey-woolsey hunting-shirt, with home-braided straw hat or coon-skin cap, with their plain white home-made cotton shirt, whose wide collar was turned down over the " wammus " or hunting-shirt. They came with a firm, free step, in their moccasins or brogans, a long, graceful step that told of strength and activity.

They met in some log school-house, or in the one room of some pioneer log-cabin! Outside the door were seats for the men - logs laid lengthwise and boards or puncheons stretching across them. The yard fence was also used for seats, and no one complained at the length of the exercise either, even if compelled for two hours to perch upon the sharp edge of an oak rail during the service.

The people have assembled. The women occupy the inside of the cabin; the men are scattered around without, awaiting the coming of the man of God. The set time has come - has been passed an hour, and the minister has not appeared. There is no impatience, however, no murmuring. They know that the good man has a long and weary ride this morning. He preached yesterday at Ross's Ferry, perhaps, or Fort Clark, and the streams are high, and the roads bad. He will come - no fear of disappointment - and what is an hour or two ? Presently there is a movement among the young men who have strayed to some little distance from the cabin; they begin to. move up toward the door, and select their seats. Old men rise up from the fence-corners, where they have been squatting in groups, talking over the latest Indian news, and look down the road where the minister is expected to appear. Yes, there he comes, the primitive man of God ; clad in sheep's-gray pants, and round-breasted blue or brown jeans coat, with its stiff, straight collar, over which appears his white shirt-collar, guiltless of starch or gloss ; and all surmounted by the white fur, low-crowned hat, with its wide brim.

And now all is still. The hum of voices, which had been incessant before, is hushed. The old men meet the preacher, and in low tones ask after his health ; if he had much trouble in crossing the creek, and how he found the roads. He answers their questions with few words and passes in, shaking hands with some of the older mothers in Israel, as he hangs his hat on a projecting pin, and takes out from his capacious coat-tail pockets his wellworn bible and hymn-book. Taking his stand in the open doorway, he gravely reads, or rather recites, that old hymn -

It is sung by every man and woman present, sung with voices clear and loud. No operatic quavers, no voluntary, no pretension. The voices are all blending in a harmony born of devotion, and which goes up a pure offering of praise to the throne of the Most High. It is a music that conies from hearts all attuned to praise, and finds its way through the open gates of heaven to the great white throne. With music such as this is heaven wooed, and heaven won.

As the last notes die away, the good man folds his hands and prays. The prayer is simple, plain, and as of one who approaches the vestibule of Omnipotence, in its solemnity ; and as unfaltering in its trust as the pleading of a child with the father who it knows will stoop to listen. It bears up the burdens of the people ; it lays before the throne the wants of every stricken soul. It must be heard if the heavens be not of brass. The prayer is closed, and again the voice of song is heard. This time it is that grand old hymn -

The good minister~~selects^ a ^chapter, as the last verse of this hymn is sung, and now he reads it; reads, not with the actor's trilling rs and guttural tones ; but in a plain, earnest and solemn

The sermon is not an elegant production of finished oratory. It may be disconnected ; it may be ungrammatical, and lacking whitened polish ; but it is plain, simple, direct. It came from the heart - it will reach the heart, and it is listened to with an attention never given to the polished oratory that delights in ornate chancels as its birth-place, and silk and broadcloth listeners.

The sermon ends; the doxology and benediction have been spoken ; all gather around the good minister, eager to press his hand - attentive to listen, willing to treasure up the words of exhortation, of reproof, or of warning, which fall from his lips.

This was the pioneer worship - a pure and godly worship ; a worship more pure, more likely to find favor in the sight of God, than the religion that displays itself in turreted and cushioned edifices born of pride, but labeled for the worship of God, that have succeeded the old log school-houses of fifty years ago.

A Call To Preach

Jesse Williams and Peter Cartwright were among the earliest preachers who preached in Canton. John M. Ellis was, however, not much, if at all, behind them in paying attention to this field. There were in the vicinity a good number of Ironside Baptists, who organized a church of their faith in the Eveland neighborhood at quite an* early day - probably before, certainly not later than, 1825.

James Tatum, one of their pioneer preachers, used to edify his hearers by relating his call to preach, " in the words and figures that follow, to-wit : "

"My dearly-beloved brethering-ah and sisters-ah, my blessed master-ah, has called me to dispense with the everlasting gospelah. For one night-ah, in a vision, in a vision of the night-ah, I dreamed -ah that I had swallowed a stiff-tongued four-horse wagonah, and me thought-ah, that the tongue of the wagon-ah was a stickin' out of my mouth-ah, and the chains were a hanging down beside my chin- ah, and the chains were a rattlin'-ah, and and the tongue was a waggin'-ah, and my beloved brethering-ah and sisters-ah, I knowed that God had called me to preach

" My dear brethering and sisters-ah, when a soul is once converted-ah, it allers stays converted-ah. It 's jist like me the other day-ah, I was a goin' to Canton-ah, and as I rid past old Mr. Eggers-ah, old sister Eggers run out-ah, and she hollered, ' Broth- . er Tatum-ah, won't you take a coon-skin to town-ah, and sell it and buy me a plug of smokin' terbacker-ah?' And I said sartin, sister Eggers-ah; and so I took the coon-skin-ah, and when I got to town I tried to sell it to Joel Wright- ah, but he said coon-skins wer n't of much account now-ah, and he would n't buy it-ah, so I took it to Mr. Stillman-ah, and he would n't buy neither-ah, then I tried to give it to Mr. Stillman-ah, and he would n't have it-ah, and then I took it back to Joel Wright-ah, and I tried to give it to him-ah, but he would n't have it neither-ah. So I bought sister Eggers a plug of terbacker-ah, and I tied the coon-skin to my saddle-ah, a thinkin' for to lose it-ah, and I started for to go backah, and when I got most back to sister Eggers-ah, I heard some body behind me a hollerin', 'Mr. Tatum-ah, Mr. Tatum-ah,' and my brethering and sisters-ah, when I looked back-ah, I seed a man a comin'ah, with that very coon-skin in his hand-ah, a hollerin' 'Mr. Tatum-ah, you 've lost your coon-skin-ah.' And so, my brethering and sisters-ah, it is with religion; you can't sell it-ah, you can't give it away-ah, and you can't lose it."

'At a Methodist meeting in these early days, Daniel TJlmer, who had been a very profane man, was at the "mourners' bench," and was surrounded by the older members, who were praying for him with primitive zeal and exhorting him to give himself up to the influence of religion. Daniel at length arose to his feet and began clapping his hands and shouting at the top of his voice, " Glory to God ! I 've got religion, I 've got religion, and I do n't care a G - d d - n who knows it." He was perfectly serious in his exclamation. The force of habit only was answerable for his religious profanity.

Daego B. Jones

One of the earliest singing- school teachers of Canton, was a relative of Deacon Jones. He taught in the old Presbyterian Church, in about 1837 and 1838. Jones was a most enthusiastic teacher. He loved his profession, and it was with a zest and relish unknown to modern music-masters that he stood up before his class and beat time with both hands, - now sounding a note to show the class how it should be sounded; now, with a querulous, excited voice, checking some tuneless soul that was making horrid discord with flats and sharps. Leonard F. Ross and Robert Sebree laid the foundation for their splendid musical education at the singing-school of Mr. Jones, as did also most of those young people who lived in Canton and were musically disposed at that early period.

The first marriage of a couple residing in Canton was that of Isaac Garland to Hannah Kinney, which was celebrated by John Orendorff, Esquire, at his residence east of Canton, on the 3d day of January, 1827.

Isaac Swan, the proprietor of Canton, was married to Miss Eli2abeth Addis, by Esquire Orendorff, on the 16th of January, 1828. At this time there was no magistrate and no settled minister in Canton. The marriage ceremony was performed, in the few weddings that occurred, in most cases by Esquire Orendorff, who was exceedingly popular as a weaver of the nuptial tie.

The first wedding celebrated in the Village of Canton was celebrated by Esquire Joel Wright, on the 20th day of October, 1830, when he united in wedlock Thomas A. Morse to Miss Harriet C. Jones, the eldest daughter of Deacon Nathan Jones.

Joel Wright was the first magistrate who resided in Canton. Mr. Wright's commission bore date January 9th, 1830, and he was qualified and entered upon the duties of his office May 27th, 1830.

Isaiah Stillman was the next magistrate residing in town. His commission was dated September 15th, 1831, and he was qualified September 26th of the same year.

In Orion township, Sands N". Breed was qualified and entered upon magisterial duties August 30th, 1839, and Parley C. Stearns September 17th, 1839. Both these gentlemen now, after the lapse of thirty-one years, are acting magistrates in the City of Canton.

Isaac Swan

The original proprietor of Canton, was a native of Vermont, but emigrated with his father to Western New York while that region was still a wilderness. At the age of about twenty years he left New York, in company with his brother-in-law Nathan Jones, and started for the Great West. Making several short tarryings in different parts of Indiana, they finally established themselves in St. Clair county, Illinois, about 1818. They remained there until 1820, when they removed to Montgomery county, and tarried there until 1824, when they removed to Fulton county, arriving at the present location of Canton in the spring of that year. Isaac Swan was a man nearly six feet in hight, splendidly proportioned, and remarkable even among pioneers for his strength and activity. His courage was unquestioned, and made him a valuable acquisition to any new settlement in which his lot was cast.

Mr. Swan had only such education as could be obtained in the log school-houses of Erie county, New York, fifty-five and sixty y eirs ago ; yet he had so far improved his limited opportunities as to have been considered a man of fair education. He was a Methodist, an honest man and a good citizen, one whose word was his bond. He gave to Canton its establishment and almost all of its early prosperity - his enterprise and energy directing attention to it and bringing in new settlers, who were attracted by the desire to settle near him, in many cases. He was killed by the storm in 1835.

As early as 1833, Rafe Dixon, Emsley Fouts and George Smith owned and operated a small distillery on Duck Creek. This was a small, old-fashioned copper still, and made pure if not palatable whisky from corn. It is related of some of the pioneers that they would, when in need of their accustomed beverage, shell a bushel of corn, put it on a horse, mount on top, and ride to Gabriel Waiting's little band mill on Copperas Creek, get their grist " cracked," then ride over with it to the Duck-Creek Distillery and wait until it could be turned into " sperrits." They were some times plagued very much while at the distillery by a fellow by the name of Garron, who, it was asserted, would drink the whisky as fast as it ran from the still.

Daniel Babbett, from Scott county, Indiana, came to Fulton county, and landed at the Cottonwood Grove, three miles southwest of Canton, on the 8th day of January, 1828. Cotton wood Grove farm was then owned and occupied by Elias Foster. His family, consisting of his four sons, Jacob, William, Daniel and Silas, and two daughters, Cynthia and Christina, were considered a great acquisition to pioneer society. The daughters soon married - Cynthia being chosen by John Swegle, and Christina becoming the wife of John W. Abbott. Mr. Babbett farmed a portion of the Foster - now Barnard - farm the first season, selling his surplus to and purchasing his goods of John Coleman, sen., who at that time was the owner of the only stock of goods in Canton.

Mr. Babbett was not a church-member, but was an attendant on the ministrations of Rev. James Tatum, Rev. Strickland, and other pioneer preachers. His children were sent to school, during the winter, to a Mr. Cubbidge, who was teaching in a log out-building belonging to Col. Barnes. Mr. Babbett boasted, in his lifetime that he had had no occasion for bolts or locks in those early days, and that crime was unknown.

In 1833, Mr. Babbett moved into Farmington township, where he was elected magistrate the same year, and was regularly reelected up to April, 1847 or 1848.

Silas Babbett, the youngest 'of Daniel's sons, is still a resident of Fulton county, residing in Farmington township, eight miles north of Canton. He was elected sheriff of the county in 18G8, which position he held to the entire satisfaction of the people for one full term.

Stump Quarters

The "stump quarter" was one of the pioneer institutions. Without it many a prairie farm would have gone unfenced for a long time, many a fire been more scantily supplied with fuel, and many a " speculator " the better off financially on making sale of his tract of western land. The "stump quarter" was a convenient tract of land owned by some eastern " land-shark," as the non-resident owner was dubbed. To tax him inordinately was considered good and sound political economy, and to steal the timber from his lot, if it happened to be wooded, was not looked upon as an offense. The Morse quarter was one of the first "stump quarters" contiguous to Canton, and was completely bared of its timber at quite an early day. The next in course was what was known as the " Canton quarter," west and north of the Lewistown Bridge. This furnished fuel for perhaps a dozen years, and fencing for twice that number of small farms. After this came the "Rawalt quarter," northeast of town, just north of what was known to the old settlers as the Jacobs or Shecklar place. Both these quarters were owned by speculators, and when the first attack was made, the best citizens of the surrounding country thought it no moral wrong to swing their axes vigorously into the timber of the odious " land-shark," while it would have been difficult to find a pioneer jury who would have rendered a verdict for stealing timber in such cases.

Ministers as well as congregations would participate in these attacks, and it is a fact that the old Congregational Church in Canton was framed from "stump-quarter" timber. A "bee" was made, church-members and world's people turned out together, and in one day the timber was felled, much of it scored, hewed and hauled, and Deacon Jones, Lyman Walker, Cheeny Jones, and a host of others - good, pure-hearted Christian men, against whom no breath of calumny has ever blown, - aided and abetted. " We settle the country," said they ; " we bear the burden of pioneer life; our labors make these lands valuable; and we will make the non-resident owner pay us for our labor in his behalf, whether willingly or not." It is true that most of these "stump quarters" were thin clay land, of but little value except for timber, and when divested of that were comparatively worthless; still, with the one argument conscience was stilled and the taking of other men's property justified. Custom, popular and powerful custom, made the law and furnished the justification.

Brisk Business

Coon-skins were currency up to 1835, and values were frequently expressed in coon-skins. Whisky was one coon-skin per quart. Childs & Stillman were selling it at that price, and their store was a place of resort in consequence. The counter of this store was a rude affair, and the front of it not closely jointed : indeed, there were interstices between the clapboard panels through which a coon-skin could be readily pulled. One day Jesse Dollar called for a quart of whiskey, and in payment handed over his coon-skin. The coon-skin was tossed under the counter, and the whisky drank among the crowd. Dollar had a ramrod in his hands with a wiping-screw on the end. This he slyly inserted through the cracks in the front of the counter, and, twisting it into the fur, drew it out, and with it paid for the second quart, which was also passed through the admiring crowd. Dollar was liberal, generous, indeed prodigal, with his one coon-skin, making it pay for five quarts of whisky in almost that number of minutes. Childs & Stillman were pleased at their prosperous trade. The crowd were pleased at the joke, and Dollar was glorious.

Presbyterian Church History

THE original records of this church - copies of which are still preserved - are in some respects very full and complete, in others sadly deficient. It appears that the first organization included all the Presbyterians at that time (1828) residing in the county, and had at first no local habitation. The record says :

" This church was formed, the Rev. John M. Ellis presiding, Sept. 13th, 1828, consisting of the following persons: Nathan Jones, Samuel Mallory, William Proctor, Robert Grant, Jane Grant, Matilda Jones, and Elizabeth Jacobs. Samuel Mallory and Nathan Jones were chosen Elders. Sermon preached on the occasion by Rev. J. M. Ellis."

On the 14th of the same month, "William Proctor was chosen Elder, and Samuel Mallory and Wm. Proctor ordained - Nathan Jones having been previously ordained.1' The record says that on this day the Lord's Supper was administered at Lewistown, and several baptized, and Nathan Jones the same day appointed a delegate to the Presbytery.

"Nov. llth, Rev. Solomon Hardy preached in Canton." Dec. 21st, "The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered in Canton, by Rev. Horace Smith." "Jan. 1st, 1829, a meeting was held at the house of Isaac Hulick."

Meetings seem to have been held, during the first few years of the church's existence, alternately at Canton and Lewistown, and the church to have been called " The Presbyterian Church of Fulton County."

"Believing that the use of ardent spirits is the cause of forming intemperate appetites and habits, and that while it is continued the evils of intemperance can never be prevented; the members of this church do agree that we will abstain from the use of distilled spirits, except as a medicine in case of sickness, or for external applications ; and that we will not allow the use of them in our families, and neither give nor sell them to our neighbors or friends, or persons in our employment, and that we will discountenance the use of them in all suitable ways in the community."

At a meeting held in Lewistown, August 6th, 1831, it was, "after some deliberation, thought desirable and expedient that Rev. Messrs. Barnes and Farnum labor the current year in this county " ; and at the same meeting the following "vote passed": "viz., to raise by subscription whatever we can in the county, either in money or produce, for the support of the Gospel"; also, "that Messrs. Proctor, Jones, Miles, Westerfield, Drs. Rice, jun. and sen., be a committee to draft a subscription-paper, circulate it, collect the subscription, and pay over the same to Messrs. Barnes and Farnum, dividing it between them as, in their judgment, shall be thought best ; also, said committee shall, in rotation, take care to inquire into the wants of the families of Rev. Messrs. Barnes and Farnum, from time to time, and see that they are seasonably supplied with all the necessaries of life - eacli member of the committee acting in succession one month at a time during the year."

Up to this period the Canton portion of the Presbyterian Society had been assembling for worship at private houses or at the log school-house on Wood street. They were beginning to be strong under the care of Romulus Barnes, their pastor, who was a man of talent and of indomitable energy. They now felt called upon to build for themselves a house of worship. The "Old Constitution" of the Presbyterian Church vested the title of all church property in the Presbyterian General Synod, and this was the only objection that existed in the minds of the society to prevent them from making an eifort to build. They wanted to control the property, and were unwilling to intrust it to any body that was distant from and did not understand them. In February, 1832, a meeting was held of the members of the society, at which it was determined to make an effort to build, with the express provision that the church property should be vested, not in the General Synod, but in the subscribers to the building-fund.

" We, the undersigned, willing to aid in the support of the Gospel, and feeling the need of a house for the worship of God, do agree to pay the sums annexed to our several names for the erection of a house for the said object. Said house shall be built according to the directions of the subscribers, and shall be held in trust (1) for the First Presbyterian Church and denomination in Canton, according to the direction of the subscribers, when built. The subscribers shall not be holden to their subscriptions until the old constitution shall be disposed of.

Names. Amounts

On the 26th of February, a meeting of the subscribers to the meeting-house was held in the school-house, with Nathan Jones as chairman and Rev. Romulus Barnes as secretary, and it was " voted that the old constitution and all the obligations which it imposes be and hereby is null and void. Yeas, 9; Nays, 2." A. plan for the new meeting-house was received and read. The subscription-paper was by vote amended in its last clause to read " according to the direction of the subscribers when built." A building committee was now selected, consisting of Isaiah Stillman, Joel Wright, and Dargo B. Jones. It was further voted that the building committee be authorized to collect the subscriptions, to contract for and superintend the building of a house of such size and on such a plan as they may think proper.

The Session Record of the Presbyterian Church gives no mention of the building of this house, of its dedication, or first occupancy. It says, under date April 28th, 1833, "Session met at the house of Elder Jones," while the record of the next meeting of the session, dated Canton, August llth, 1833, reads, " Session met at the meeting-house, and was opened by prayer " : so that it must have been opened for occupancy some time between those two dates.

"April 7th, 1834, Fulton County Presbyterian Church met, agreeably to a previous arrangement, and, after meeting was opened by prayer by Rev. Rob't Stewart, proceeded to elect by ballot the four following persons to the office of Ruling Elders, viz., Rob't Taylor, Royal Wright, Asaph Rice, and Peter Westerfield." There was a session meeting the same day, of which the record says, "Session met and was opened by prayer - present, Robert Stewart, minister"; from which it appears that Mr. Stewart became pastor of the church in March or April, 1834. He continued as the pastor of the church until after the division, which occurred in September, 1838. Mr. Stewart was a man of fine talents, good education, a fair speaker, and one who gave constant evidence, in his walk and conversation, that he was indeed a follower of that Jesus whom he preached. Under his pastoral care the church waxed strong, until the division between the Old and New School occurred, and then his example and influence held two-thirds of the church in the New-School wing, which he had selected as, in his judgment, the true church.

On the 28th of March, 1835, Samuel G. Wright was set apart to the office of Ruling Elder. Mr. Ezra Fairchild was also set apart to the same office at the next meeting, and both continued for a long period with this church as elders. x

Up to January, 1836, Lewistown and Canton were each included in the boundaries of the Fulton County Presbyterian Church. On the 10th day of January,- 1836, the session met, and it was " Ordered that the request of the following-named persons for letters of dismission, in order to form a church at Lewistown, be granted, viz., to Wm. Proctor, Benj. A. Miles, Jas. Gilson, Christopher B. Miles, Thalia N. Rice} Juliet E. Warden, Eugenia

E. Madison, Rhoda Osborne, Isabel T. Miles, Laura Proctor, Erasmus D. Rice, Asaph Rice, Abigail Rice, and Jane Rice" - fourteen persons in all. At the next meeting of the session this list was extended by the granting of letters for the same purpose to Wm. Elliot, jun., Julia Phelps, and Adelia Rice.

At the meeting of the session held June 24th, 1838, Samuel G. Wright was received into the church, and it was ordered " that Brother Wright, having been a ruling elder in our church, retain his office of eldership."

The Church Division

The records of both the Old and New School Churches are exceedingly indefinite in regard to the division of the Presbyterian Church of Canton. It appears that united it had prospered and become a strong and powerful church. Rer. Robert Stewart was pastor, and was in sympathy with the New School, as were all but two of the elders and nearly all the members of the church. The Old-School record shows only the following entry upon this subject, under no date. The record says:

" The following preamble and resolution is a record of facts adopted by the session and members of the Presbyterian Church in Canton, September, 1838, by unanimous consent:

" 'WHEREAS, Our church has become large, and infected with some of the prevailing heresies and disorders of the times, which are maintained and practiced in our midst ; and wJiereas, errors are taught and received which are at variance with the Bible and our Confession of Faith, and persons are received to membership from other denominations with all their prejudices alive against our doctrines and order, and without being required to renounce them ; and wJiereas, these disorders are becoming every day more glaring and barefaced, and our church as a body has virtually rejected its own system of doctrines and order ; therefore,

"Resolved, That we, the undersigned, elders and members of this church, will continue to revere and maintain the doctrines and order of our church in this place as the Presbyterian Church.'

This action seems to have consummated the division of the First Presbyterian Church. . On the one hand was a party, including the pastor, Rev. Robert Stewart, with elders Jones, Mailory, R. Wright, Fairchild - who afterward went to the other branch, - S. G. Wright, and a large majority of the members; on the other hand, two of the elders, viz., James McPheters and Robert Taylor, with nineteen members. Each party claimed to be the First Presbyterian Church of Canton. Each claimed to adhere to the original church constitution and articles of faith. Who were the seceders ? Did the few leave the many ? or, did the many leave the few ? I choose to believe, from the testimony, that right here the First Presbyterian Church of Canton ceased to exist, and that right here was brought into existence the Old- School Presbyterian Church of Canton and the New-School Presbyterian - since changed into the Congregational - Church of Canton.

If the old First Church continued to exist at all, it must have been with the majority, who had the officers and the pastor, as well as the records and rules of faith. And yet, it soon became evident that the two were widely divergent in doctrine and practice. One insensibly became Congregational; the other was at the beginning, and has ever continued, orthodox and rigid Old- School.

The new Presbyterian organization continued to meet, alternately with the other new organization, at the church. At the first meeting after the division, held October 28th, 1838, it was resolved that,

"WHEREAS, The Synod lias constituted the Presbytery of Peoria, and our church, lying within the bounds of this presbytery, naturally conies under its care; and whereas, our church is vacant, and needs the dispensation of the word and ordinances ; therefore,

The minutes of the new church, under date December 29th, 1839, acknowledge in direct terms that they had come out of the old church, by the following entry : "December 29th, 1839.' The members of the church convened at the house of Elder James McPheters, who opened the meeting with prayer. The following-named persons, who had still retained their connection with the New-School Church, signified their desire to be considered members of this Presbyterian church, viz., Elder Miner Sherwood,

Rahab Sherwood, Harriet Philinda Sherwood, Ezra Fail-child, Anna Fairchild, Electa Fairchild." It was also resolved, at this meeting, to establish a weekly prayer-meeting, and also "to make every effort to obtain a minister and support the Gospel."

The church was supplied on Sabbath, January 15th, 1840, by Rev. Samuel McCune, of Marshall county. On the 9th of the following July he was called to the pastorate, and on the 5th of September was installed, at an annual salary of five hundred dollars.

Mr. McCune proved a very acceptable pastor, remaining here until 1850, a period of nearly ten years. Mr. McCune was not a brilliant man, but eminently pious and thoroughly in sympathy with the doctrines of his church. He was a close and deep reasoner, somewhat prosy, but never illogical. His sermons strengthened and sustained the brethren, but made little impression on sinners. He may be called the first pastor of the Old- School Presbyterian Church.

Some time about 1840, the church property was divided amicably between the two churches. The old church edifice went to the Old-School, and the bell was taken by the New-School party. The church edifice had become dilapidated. The ground upon which it stood did not belong to the old First Church ; consequently, the bell was considered fully if not more than an equivalent jbr the church. This building, however, was historical. It was the first church erected in Canton. It had also been used as a school-house when, for a considerable period after the old log school-house had been destroyed, Austin J. Barber, and other -pioneer pedagogues had instructed the youth of Canton. Notwithstanding its old associations, it was becoming an eyesore to the citizens, and it was determined to remove it. Accordingly, in about 1841, a lot was purchased on Elm street, between Third and Fourth streets, and the old church removed to that location. It was also at this time remodeled and enlarged, and is still standing, being now in use by the United Brethren.

In September, 1850, Mr. McCune dissolved his connection with the church, and there was no regular supply until in December of the same year, when Rev. Isaac Bennett was invited to the pastoral care of the church. Mr. Bennett continued in the pastoral charge of the church, giving satisfaction to his hearers in both doctrines and Christian deportment, until the time of his death, which occurred on the 16th day of June, 1856, after having labored here about four years.

After the death of Mr. Bennett, the church had no regular pastor, but was supplied for short periods by a number of clergymen, among whom the first was Rev. Geo. Stebbins, of Rock- River Presbytery, who remained with the church six months, dating from the 19th of October, 1856. The next supply was Rev. J. V. Dodge, who also remained six months, beginning his ministration May 24th, 1857, and receiving a salary at the rate of six hundred dollars per annum. Rev. John Cochran was engaged as the next supply, beginning his ministry here on the 6th day of November, 1859, and remaining about ten months in charge.

From the fall of 1861 until August, 1863, the church was without a minister, and depended upon the reading of sermons by some of the elders or leading members.

The church engaged Rev. S. M. Crissman as their supply, and he began his ministration August 2d, 1863, and remained with the church here until about the 1st of January, 1865. Rev. C. Reed succeeded him immediately, and acted as pastor from that time until in the summer of 1868, when he dissolved his connection with the congregation. Mr. Reed was succeeded by Rev. Josiah Moore, a licentiate of Sangamon Presbytery, who was engaged as a " supply " September 4th, 1868. Mr. Moore, being acceptable to his congregation, was called to the pastoral care of the church on the 25th of March, 1869. The call was accepted, and on the meeting of the Presbytery of Peoria, which convened at French Grove, he was confirmed to the call. The presbytery adjourned to, and did meet for his ordination and installation at the Presbyterian Church at Canton, on the llth of May, 1869. Mr. Moore still remains in the pastoral care of the church.

In the latter part of the last decade the Presbyterian Society began to feel the need of a new house of worship. The old church, which for so many years had done double duty as church and school-house, on the Public Square ; which had stood so long in its present location that babes christened within its walls had returned with babes of their own to be christened at the same font; the church around which so many precious memories clustered, until every plank in its floor and nail in its door had became sacredly enshrined in the hearts of those who for so long a period had worshiped there, was becoming too small, too dilapidated, to longer accommodate the society. They accordingly determined to build themselves a new church edifice, that should be an honor to the city as well as to the society.

The church was poor, comparatively ; yet it was full of zeal, and for it to undertake was to accomplish. Several locations were proposed, but finally a lot was selected and purchased from the estate of Lyman Walker, on Jones street, north side, between Third and Fourth streets. Upon this lot a church edifice was erected, costing - including ground - in the neighborhood of $12,000. The new church was dedicated on the 16th of January, 1870. It is built of brick, with stone trimmings, contains abasement and one story, in which is the hall for worship. The building was planned by G. P. Randall, of Chicago, and is an exceedingly neat and tasteful edifice, lighted with elegant stained-glass windows, and built in a style of architecture peculiarly Americajn, that is distantly copied from the Gothic.

The ladies of the society are entitled to great credit for their enterprise, in having purchased and paid for the first brick, the stained glass for the windows, chandeliers, Bible, carpeting, chairs, instrument, registers, etc. The society is now in a prosperous condition, with a fine prospect for continued usefulness.

The Congregational Church

As has been stated in the history of the Presbyterian Church, at the time of the divison four of the elders and a large majority of the members of the old First Presbyterian^Church^continued with the pastor in what became the New-School Presbyterian, aud at a later period the Congregational Church.

It seems to be a fact that, by the division, the old Presbyterian Church practically ceased to exist, and from its members two new churches came into existence. Neither of these churches appears to have reorganized : each took from the old church elders and members, being all that was required under the discipline to constitute a church. Each, therefore, came into existence with a full and complete organization; therefore each claimed to be the original church.

Of the original members who had participated in the organization of the church in 1828, all who were living in Canton went into the New-School party.

The old church had perfected dn organization on the 27th day of April, 1836, under the laws of the state, as a body corporate, with the control of its worldly affairs vested in a board of five trustees. These trustees - being the first board elected - were Joel Wright, James W. Willis, Nathan Jones, Oliver Dewey, and Samuel G. Wright. Robert Stewart was elected pastor, at a salary of five hundred dollars per annum.

The board of trustees for 1836 were Joel Wright, Nathan Jones, Peter Westerfield, Charles Kirkpatrick, and Alexander R. McPheters; and Robert Stewart was again elected pastor.

Canton, April Oth, 1838

WE, the undersigned, wishing to relieve the Rev. Robert Stewart from worldly cares, that he may the more fully devote his time to the duties of the Gospel ministry in connection with the First Presbyterian Church in Canton, agree that we will pay, in yearly installments, the sums fixed to our respective names, to the trustees in connection with the above-named church and society.

At the annual meeting of the church for the year 1838, held in April, Isaac P. Taylor, John M. Wright, Franklin P. Offield and Joel Coykendall were elected trustees. These trustees were elected in the spring of 1838, before the division, and all of them cast their lot with the New-School wing. Both wings held on to the " Say brook Platform " as their rules of faith.

On the llth of January, 1841, C. Kirkpatrick, J. R. Walter, Joel Wright, Nathan Jones, Oliver Dewey and John Whitten were appointed a committee to draft a plan for the reorganization of the church. On the 27th of March the committee reported a "Plan of organization, which was received, read and amended." On the 6th of April a blank was filled in the proposed constitution with the name of the " New-School Presbyterian Church," and the constitution so amended was adopted. Thus came into being the New-School Presbyterian Church, three full years after the division.

During the pendency of this question of reorganization, at the meeting held on the' 8th of March, the trustees, by vote, were "instructed to use their own discretion in regard to the property now owned by the two Presbyterian Churches of Canton." And at the meeting held April 5th, " On motion, [it was] voted that the papers relating to the building of the old meeting-house be delivered up to the trustees of the Old-School Presbyterian Church, and that a receipt be taken for the same." This action indicates the amicable arrangement entered into between the two organizations, by which the property of the old First Presbyterian Church was divided.

At the meeting of April 6th, a motion prevailed that "the rules for the regulation of this church be adopted, with the addition of the following, viz., that the pastor shall be a minister in good and regular standing in some ecclesiastical body which does not hold doctrines contrary to the 6th article of the constitution of this church." It will be observed that under this rule a minister might be called from either the New-School or Congregational Church to the pastoral care of this church. This rule remained in force after the second reorganization, and after the church had become Congregational; and it is a fact that, from the time Mr. Stewart dissolved his connection with the church until the present minister, Rev. Henry Bates, took the pastoral charge, all the ministers were New-School Presbyterian, while the church was Congregational.

The church remained without a pastor until in about September, 1841, when Rev. L. Spencer was engaged to supply the pulpit until the following April. He gave so good satisfaction during that period that he was engaged as pastor, and installed accordingly, some time in April, 1842.

On the 29th day of January, 1842, "After some conversation, a motion was made and carried that a committee be appointed to draft a constitution for organizing a Congregational Church." On the 4th of February, 1842, this committee, at a regular church meeting, reported a constitution. Their report was adopted, and the compend formerly used by the First Presbyterian Church of Canton appended to the new constitution. Thus the church had within four years been Presbyterian, New-School Presbyterian, and Congregational ; yet through it all had retained precisely the same compendium of religious faith. The change was only in name and form of government, and not in religious opinion. The Articles of Faith and Covenant were the same as adopted by the Schuyler Presbytery in 1837, and recommended to the churches under its care.

At one of the church meetings held in 1841, the doctrine of female suffrage, so far as the church was concerned, received an indorsement by the passage of the following motion :

"Resolved, That the female members of this church over eighteen years of age have the privilege of voting at the meetings of this church, and that there is equal responsibility resting upon them in regard to the spiritual interests of the church."

At the meeting held April 6th, 1841, it was decided to build a meeting-house as soon as possible, and Nathan Jones and Charles Kirkpatrick were appointed a committee to secure subscriptions for that purpose.

One year after deciding to build the meeting-house, viz., April 4th, 1842, the trustees reported what they had done toward the building of the new church. The house was up and inclosed, but not finished.

In the winter of 1842-'3, there was some feeling in the church in regard to statements made by persons outside of the organization that the timber for the new church had been obtained on a " stump quarter." Previous to this time it had never been generally looked upon as sinful to obtain timber from the " stump quarters " : every body had done so, and had concocted a certain specious mode of reasoning by which they had justified themselves and each other. There had been several churches and school-houses in the county built with this stolen timber, and no one had objected; but now the county was filling up with new settlers from the older states, who could not appreciate the sophism of the argument that every stick of timber cut from a " stump quarter" added to its value, by developing the country and fencing and improving contiguous lands.

The church now felt called upon to take some action in regard to this question. Accordingly, at a meeting held on the 16th of February, 1843, the following resolutions were adopted, after some discussion :

"Resolved, That this church consider the practice of IwoTcing timber to be a sin, and if persisted in should subject the offender to church discipliae.

"Resolved, That the practice of buying stolen timber (knowing it to be stolen) is encouraging theft and participating in the sin, and should subject the offender to the same censure."

These resolutions had a good effect. It is true that the old pioneers of the congregation would never consider " hooking timber" a very heinous sin; but the new-comers and younger members were so far influenced by it that they were not likely to fall into the practice.

Rev. L. Spencer, who had been called to the pastoral charge in the early part of 1842, severed his connection with the church in the spring of 1844, after remaining two years. Mr. Spencer was the second pastor of the New-School - now Congregational - Church, and filled the office very acceptably.

In April, 1845, the trustees of the church were instructed, at the annual meeting, to "ascertain the cost of finishing the church in a good and substantial manner"; that they obtain subscriptions from persons outside of the church, and assess the deficit among the members. This action resulted in the completion of the Congregational Meeting-House - the trustees reporting on the Cth of January, 1846, that the church was now finished, at a cost of about $3000. This building was situated on the south side of Elm street, west of the Public Square, between Main and Wood streets, and is now owned and occupied by the Lutheran Church.

The church had been without a regular pastor from the time of Mr. Spencer's leaving until the winter of 1845 -'6 when Rev. Williston Jones, a son of Deacon Nathan Jones, was called to the pastoral care. Mr. Jones was a New- School Presbyterian, a man of fine education, and an earnest, devoted Christian. He had been educated expressly for the ministry, and his good old father had been looking forward for years to see his only son installed as pastor of his own church. It was indeed, then, a gratification to him to see "Williston selected as pastor, and in this gratification the church, who were devotedly attached to the deacon, participated.

In 1848, January 1st, the following-named persons were dismissed from the church, for the purpose of being organized into a church at Independence, in Putman township, viz., Deacon Samuel Mallory and wife, Wm. Nichols and wife, Mrs. Mary Bagley, Miss Eveline Bagley, and Mrs. Esther Nichols.

Resolutions On Slavery

. In 1848, the question of Slavery, which had so long been agitating the country, received a formal recognition from the Congregational Society of Canton. At the annual meeting, held April 4th, the following resolutions were adopted, nearly all of them by a unanimous vote:

1. That slavery, the holding and using of men as property, is a palpable* and gross violation of the moral law and Golden Rule, and as such is wrong - is Sin; and is one of the greatest curses that can befall any people.

2. That we deplore its existence in our beloved country ; and hold it to be the bounden duty of this people, since wrong should be rectified, to do away with slavery from our country, at the earliest practical period: our duty to the enslaved and our duty to ourselves as a Nation imperiously demands it.

3. That while the guilt of slavery must rest chiefly on those states that uphold it, and on those individuals who practice it ; yet slavery is also a national sin, being tolerated and protected by our national compact ; and, as such, the guilt of it rests upon the nation, and upon all the component elements of the nation : upon all the states, and upon every individual of them all : unless they do all they can to remove it.

4. That we as individuals, and as a community, being a part of these United States, a portion of that guilt rests upon us in common with others, unless we free our skirts. With that endeavor, and in utter detestation of slavery itself, we do most solemnly and earnestly protest against it, as wrong - as sin against God, and deserving his just displeasure.

5. That we sincerely sympathize with those living in slave states, and owning slaves, who, when they would free themselves from the sin of slavery, find a pressure of circumstances surrounding them which well-nigh absolutely forbids their freeing their slaves in any practicable way.

6. That our National Constitution gives to the several states in which slavery exists the exclusive legal right to regulate their internal affairs; and the abolition of slavery must therefore be the act of the several states in which slavery exists; and, of course, we in ihefree states can not interfere with it, in any other way than by withdraicing, as far as may be, the national protection and sanction, and by the moral power of truth - by speaking out our views in regard to its enormity, and bearing our testimony against it.

7. That the law of love and the Golden Rule make it our bounden duty to warn our brother of his sins, and that neglect to do so would make us partakers of his guilt ; and hence we can not be silent without incurring guilt ourselves, and must utter our testimony, as we now do, against this great national and individual sin.

These resolutions were expressive of the opinions of a large majority of the communicants of the church, although a few were displeased with them, but did not openly protest.

In the winter of 1848 -'9, Rev. Williston Jones, after having been pastor two years, resigned the pastoral charge. Mr. Jones was the third pastor of the church, and left with the friendship of his congregation. He was by no means an eloquent man, but was sincere, and won the respect of all by his upright life.

stances like these, the great cause of truth and godliness might be better subserve by the united cooperation and influence of both societies ; . . .

"Resolved, by the Session of the Presbyterian Church, that this body will hold itself in readiness to confer with a committee of deacons or members appointed by the Congregational Church, respecting the propriety and practicability of a union of the two churches."

This resolution, evidently prompted by a Christian spirit, resulted in the appointment of a committee to confer Avith a like committee from the Presbyterian Church. This committee consisted of Deacon John M. Wright, John W. Ingersoll, and Deacon Charles Kirkpatrick. This committee appear never to have made a report: at least, the church records show 110 further mention of the subject.

On the 21st of July, 1849, the church formed a short time before at Independence presented itself in a body and was merged into the Canton church, from which it had been formed.