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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
Copyright 2008, all rights reserved.

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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of W. T. FISHER (Canton Furniture Dealer/Undertaker) 

Note: Pages 830-831 contain the sketch:
"Store-Room & Warehouse of Fisher Bros, Cor. Elm & Van Buren St. Canton, ILL" 

Pages 828 & 831, transcribed in full by Karen CRANE Goggin 

[Surnames: ARNOLD, FISHER, SIMMONS, SMALL, TILLMAN] 

    
W. T. FISHER. The commercial world is so crowded with bread-winners, anxious and ready to accumulate the almighty dollar, that to achieve marked success a man must possess not capital only but shrewd judgment and tact. While a professional life may require more book-learning it does not call for more mental labor than does the successful management of an extensive mercantile establishment. The force of this statement is fully appreciated by such men as Mr. Fisher, who day after day must plan and buy to suit the capricious taste of customers. His enterprising character and business tact, together with honest dealing, have brought him the good will of his large circle of acquaintances and have given him and established reputation as a prominent business man in Canton. As a furniture dealer he is widely and favorably known and it is with pleasure that we direct the attention of the reader to a view of his warehouse and storerooms, found in connection with this sketch. 
    
The energy and push which characterize the people of New Jersey have been inherited by Mr. Fisher, who was born in that State, in Warren County, September 5, 1841. His ancestors were one and all highly respected in the communities where they resided. His great-grandfather, Jacob Fisher, was perhaps the founder of the family in America. Grandfather Wilson Fisher was born in New Jersey, which was the native State of Marcus Fisher, the father of our subject. The latter was born in Huntingdon County in 1818, and after reaching years of maturity was united in marriage with Mima Tillman, in Warren County, the same State. He was by occupation a cabinet-maker and carpenter, and followed the latter trade until 1860. He had prior to that time, in 1857, removed with his family to Fulton County, Ill., and settled in Canton. 
    
In 1860 Marcus Fisher started a small cabinet shop and thus he gained experience as a cabinet manufacturer, and in the meantime he was also employed in carpentering. His brother Wilson remained with and aided their father until 1862, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry and served three years with credit to himself. Returning home at the close of the war he entered into a partnership with the father, enlarged and continued the business and worked prosperously until 1872, when the father died in Canton, aged fifty-three years. The mother is still living (1890) at the age of seventy-one years and makes her home with her son, our subject, in Canton. She was of Holland extraction and was born in Warren County, N. J., to Joseph and Catherine (Simmons) Tillman. 
    
The parental family included only two children, our subject and his brother Wilson, who is about one and one-half years younger than he. At the death of the father, our subject returned to Canton and entered into partnership with his brother. In 1876 they erected a wooden building on the site of their present structure. The former was destroyed by fire in 1880 and the same year the partners erected the present commodious and elegant block, which is now occupied by our subject. He purchased his brother's interest in the business in December, 1887, and is now conducting it alone. His knowledge of his business is thorough, and having devoted almost his entire life to this trade he is a proficient and practical cabinet-maker. At the age of thirteen he was learning the trade in his father's shop in Canton and until the death of the latter was employed in different cities and various parts of the county. 
    
As an undertaker Mr. Fisher is very popular, being well posted in the duties connected therewith and having a team and hearse that would do credit to a much larger city. As a furniture dealer he carries a very large stock and is by far the leading man in this line in Fulton County. The growth of his business has been phenomenal. His enterprise is illustrated by the fact that the loss sustained by fire caused a delay of about ninety days only. In that time the present building was erected and the business re-established. As a man he is genial and courteous, and by his straightforward honesty has won the confidence of the people. In 1875 and 1877 he was a member of the City Council. Socially, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Canton, also of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, being prominent in both organizations. He was first married in 1862 at Canton, to Olive Arnold who bore him one son, Elmer, now in business with his father. The wife and mother passed away from the busy scenes of earth and our subject was again married in December, 1888, to Mrs. Sarah Small, an estimable lady and a member of the Presbyterian Church. The are prominent in social circles and under their hospitable roof their many friends are accustomed to pass many happy hours.