Canton, Illinois. Founded 1825, Celebrating 200 Years.
Get Ready! The Official Celebration Begins June 20th through June 29th, 2025.
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 height, 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 years 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.
Thank you Isaac Swan for founding Canton, Illinois in 1825. The 2025 Canton Bicentennial celebration is going to be totally awesome! So many exciting events to attend with everyone wearing pioneer and old time clothing and hats. Patriotic Bunting and Banners on so many business store buildings and resident’s home everywhere to see. See you all at Jones Park!
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