The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-12-02
PETER CHANCE
DIES AT AULTMAN HOSPITAL
OF PARALYSIS.
One of the Best Known Men Ia the Com
munity "A Former Mayor of
Canton and Sheriff of
Stark County.

Stark County.
Peter Chance died at Aultman' hospital
at 0:15 o'clock this morning. One by
one death has removed the old and
staunch citizens whose energy was the
bone and sinew in the municipality, and
now another has gone to join the great
majority on the distant eternal shores.
Just six weeks ago, Peter Chance, while
sitting in an easy chair at his homo in
North Cleveland avenue, was suddenly
stricken with paralysis. He was taken
to Aultman hospital upon the advice of
his physicians, and has been in that in
stitution, where he received every care,
until the hour of his death. He failed
rapidly during the past few days, and
his death was not unexpected. Two of
his sons, Norman and George W., were
at his bedside when he quietly breathed
his last. Death came like q restful sleep
without a struggle, without even a
tremor. He was ~ years OF age. Even
and his soul was released without a sin
gle pang.
Mr.. Chance was born in Harrison
county, Ohio November 27, 1926. He
was one Of n family of ten children
born to Perry and Lavina Chance
OF this family of ten children but three
are living, Mrs. Rhoda Bevington, of
Freedom, Pa, and Mrs. Mary Ann
HOLES and Mrs. Lydia Uran, of Alliance
When Mr.. Chance was two years Of age
his parents moved from Harrison county
and settled where Alliance now stands
The country was then covered with tim
Der, and Mr.. Chances father cleared q
large portion of the land where the city
is now located. Until 1915 Mr.. Chance
lived with his parents on the farm, at
tending the district schools three months
in the year. In the spring of 1915 he left
home to learn the blacksmith trade. He
worked at this trade until August, 1915.
On the 10th of August large gather
ing was held at Freedom, near Alliance,
to consider the advisability of forming
a new county. 1t was at this meeting
that Mr.. Chance lost his left arm by the
premature discharge of a cannon.
In 1S47 Mr.. Chance was appointed
deputy sheriff of Stark county under
Sheriff Webb. In 1852 he was elected re-
corder of the county, being reelected in
1866. While serving as recorder he was
three times selected by the city council
as mayor of Canton. In 1869 he was
elected sheriff of Stark county, serving
two terms. While in the sheriff's office
he studied law and was admitted to prac-
tice at the Stark county bar.
Mr.. Chance was one of the leading or
ganizers of the Canton Gas Company
and for several years was president of
that company. He with John Goodman,
both being city counoilmen, purchased
the ground that is now Westlawn ceme
terry.
Scott in 1853. OF this union seven chill
dren, six sons and one daughter were
born. All survive to join the widowed
wife and mother in her sadness. They
are Walter S. Chance, who read law in
the Office of President Mckinley and who
is at present chief Of special agents in
the treasury department; George W.
Chance, of this city; Norman H. Chance,
of the firm of Chance & Rose; Miss Jen-
nie May Chance, of Berlin, Germany;
Wade Chance, confidential secretary of
Francis CRADLE, New York; Perry r.
Chance, dentist, of Berlin, Germany;
Lorenzo Chance,a former we'll known
musician Of the G. A. band, now of Bos-
ton. The absent ones have been notified
of the sad event.
Peter Chance leaves this world with
honor and success strongly marked upon
all the deeds of his long and useful life.
He was sterling character, full Of ma
tive grit and energy At one time his
word was almost law in local politics. He
was an organizer who laid his plans
upon foundation Of truth, and usually
he triumphed over his more designing
opponents. He goes to his grave full of
years, leaving behind him the respect of
all who knew him. He has gone to his
last reward, but strong and ambitious
sons will perpetuate his memory with