Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Canaan, James S. July 12, 1844 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 7, 2009, 11:26 pm

Author: Chapman Brothers

JAMES S. CANAAN, farmer, sec. 21, Grant Tp., was born July 12, 1844, in Hardin 
Co., Ohio, and is a son of 

Jehu and Sarah L. Canaan.  (See sketch of Asher L. Canaan).

At the age of 11 years Mr. Canaan set out to care for himself and to aid in 
the maintenance of his 

father's family.  Just after he was 18 years old he enlisted (Aug. 8, 1862) in 
Co. B., 118th Ohio Vol. 

Inf., and remained in the service until the termination of the war.  He was 
discharged at Salisbury, N.C., 

and paid off at Cleveland, Ohio, June 24, 1865.  He was in precarious health 
when his regiment went to the 

front, and was assigned to guard duty until the date of the battle of Atlanta, 
where he was first under 

fire.  His corps was afterwards dispatched to intercept the march of the rebel 
Gen. Hood and he was in the 

battle of Smithville, on the Tennessee river.  Hood's forces and the Union 
army under Thomas  kept up an 

incessant skirmishing, and seven days' fighting took place near Columbia, 
Tenn.  Mr. Canaan was in the 

terrible fights at Franklin and at Nashville, and was then transferred to 
North Carolina.  His first 

battle was at Fort Anderson, and his last at a point 10 miles below 
Wilmington.  He returned to Ohio and 

in October, 1866, settled in Grant Tp.  He became a landholder in 1873, buying 
40 acres of choice land, 

which he has improved to the best advantage, and has a good frame house with 
all necessary buildings.

Mr. Canaan was married Sept. 9, 1875, to Maria, daughter of James and Beulah 
Stewart, of Lakeview, 

Montcalm Co., Mich.  She was born in Clyde, Ohio, Dec. 8, 1847.  Her father 
died Jan. 19, 1878, and her 

mother is still living, in Michigan.  The three living children of Mr. and 
Mrs. Canaan were born as 

follows:  Stewart E., June 25, 1876; Herbert L., Sept. 4, 1878; Ernest J., May 
16, 1883; Claude C., born 

Dec. 2, 1880, died July 6, 1881.

Politically Mr. Canaan is a Republican, and has been actively interested in 
local affairs.  He has served 

his township as Supervisor, five years, Township Clerk, six years, School 
Director, two years, Assessor, 

three years, and was Deputy Sheriff under J. T. Escott, four years.  He has 
been delegate various times to 

the District and County Conventions.  Himself and wife are members of the 
United Brethren Church.

Additional Comments:
1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co., MI.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/canaan499nbs.txt

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