YOUR SILENT NEIGHBORS
Louise Merrill Hallock, Devout Church Member
by David K. Leff
Town Poet Laureate and Deputy Town Historian

A devout and active member of the Canton Center Congregational Church, Louise Merrill Hallock (1841-1910) was born in Canton, the youngest of eight children. She lived her whole life here with the exception of about three years in Oswego, New York where she married her husband Deacon William G. Hallock. For many years she taught a large Sunday school class at the church and was a diligent worker for the Ladies Aid Society.

She lived “a life of usefulness and love, not only as a wife but to all those whom she came in contact with,” according to a newspaper report. She had been in good health until a few weeks before her death when she suffered from an attack of the “grip” (influenza). She had been well enough to go outdoors when she became sick with her final illness, complications from having had the grip.

Hallock’s funeral service began with private prayer at her Canton Center home led by Reverend C. H. Stevens. Services continued at the Canton Center church where there “was a large attendance of sorrowing friends.” A quartet of those friends sang hymns, including her favorite: “There’ll be no Dark Valley When Jesus Comes to Gather His Loved Ones Home.” The casket was surrounded by beautiful floral tributes, including one from her Sunday school class.

Louise Merrill Hallock is buried in the Canton Center Cemetery.

“Your Silent Neighbors” introduces readers to people out of Canton’s past.  Readers are encouraged to visit these gravesites and pay their respects to the people who have helped make our community what it is today.