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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 Abner PIPER 

Pages 832-833, transcribed in full by Karen CRANE Goggin 

[Surnames: DAVIS, HAMMOND, MASON, McLAUGHLIN, PIPER, SMALLEY] 

    
ABNER PIPER. There are few places the size of Canton that claim more successful business men, or where there is a greater amount of competition in every line of trade. Perhaps because of its desirable location, but more likely because of the progressive spirit of its citizens, it has always enjoyed a good reputation and is a favorite place of residence with influential and active business men. Here we find a large number of professional men whose skill is beyond dispute, and also many merchants whose shrewd judgment and energy have brought about flattering results. Prominent among the latter class is Abner Piper, who deals in boots and shoes. 
    
The Piper family came originally from Scotland and have inherited much of the strength of character and love of the beautiful that characterizes the natives of "the land of thistles and oatmeal." The grandfather of our subject was Abel Piper, son of Noah Piper, whose father and brother were the founders of the family in America. Abel Piper was a Lieutenant of Minute Men during the Revolutionary War, and being for a time an innkeeper, his tavern was naturally the gathering place of the old soldiers, who met to fight their battles over again. The grandson recollects a score of the old Continentals, who, during his childhood, visited the home of his ancestors. 
    
Artemus Piper, the father of our subject, was born in Phillipston, Mass., in the year 1783, the place of his birth being known at that time as Gerry. He was a sailor by profession and a teacher of navigation. He was in command of a revenue cutter during the War of 1812 and was an eyewitness to the fight between the "Box" and "Enterprise." He married Mary Hammond, daughter of Paul and Anna (Davis) Hammond, who was a native of Falmouth, Mass. Her father was a sailor and commanded a craft during the War of 1812. Both parents died in the East. Their family consisted of six children, named respectively: Julia Ann, Artemus D., Ambrose H., Phebe Rose, Abner, and Betsy Catherine. The only ones surviving at this writing are our subject and Ambrose who lives in Ackworth, N. H. 
    
Abner Piper was born in Phillipston, Worcester County, Mass., April 1, 1817. He passed his youth on his father's farm and learned the shoemaker's trade, dividing his time for several years between work in the hayfield and amid the grain, and his trade. Since reaching his nineteenth year he has devoted his time to the shoe business exclusively. Upon leaving home he first went to Templeton, where he remained until 1838, being cutter in one of the largest shoe factories of the State. He then came to Galena, Ill., to visit a brother-in-law, and for a few months was interested in a mercantile establishment, but soon located in Canton. Thence he went to Ohio, then returned to his native State, where he worked in a shoe manufactory until 1865, when he removed with his family to Canton. Each year he made a trip East to act as foreman in the manufactory with which he was so long connected, but the trips proving too tiresome he found it necessary to return to the old home. 
    
Mr. Piper resided in the Bay State from 1870 to 1876, when he again removed to Canton, this time permanently. He established a boot and shoe business which has proved a prosperous enterprise, and in the conduct of which he has won the esteem and confidence of the entire community. He is a skilled workman, an excellent judge of the materials used in his business and a dealer whose word can be relied upon at all times. 
    
At the bride's home in Sydney, Me., in 1847, Mr. Piper was married to Miss Betsy, daughter of Paul and Catherine (Mason) Hammond. Her ancestry is one of the oldest in the country, her people coming originally from Concord, Mass. To this marriage have been born three children--Warren H., Carlos A. and Vernon A. The eldest son married Sarah C. Smalley, and has five children--Abner C., Harry R., Betsy M., Bertie and Mary. The eldest of these children--grandchildren of our subject--is a book-keeper in the Commercial National Bank of Cincinnati, Ohio. He married Miss Mamie McLaughlin and has one child--Bessie V. All three of the sons of our subject reside in Canton and are following in their father's footsteps as men of good repute and business energy. 
    
Mr. Piper has had many prominent kinsmen in the East connected with the army and navy and with the political affairs of the nation. His ancestors in both lines having lived in America from the early Colonial times, the family has been connected with the history of the Republic from its birth. He, himself, is fully entitled to the friendship and esteem accorded him. The only social order with which he is identified is that of the Odd Fellows, his membership being in Olive Branch Lodge, No. 15, at Canton.