There were four brothers, Samuel, Archy, William, and Monroe, who became the principal owners of the first boats, the "Indiana," "Clyde," "Wabash," and "Chief Richardville." The last named boat was built by my father, who leased it to Captain Dana Columbia, the father of Mrs. D.F. Comparet.
Reminiscences of Old Fort Wayne, 1906 - Alexander C. Comparet remembers.

Samuel Mahon was a polished and courteous captain of a canal packet, and with his brothers was interested in the founding of the village of Port Mahon, on the canal a couple of miles South of Roanoke, in Jackson township. Brothers were Monroe, Archibald and William Mahon. Several of the family operated canal boats at different times. Just when the brothers settled in Jackson Township is uncertain, but early records of an election held in the township in 1842 mentions their names. Plat books in the Recorders office show that Archibald Mahon platted the town site of Mahon in 1853. Stores, shops, a hotel, mills, distillery, saloons and many dwelling houses served to constitute a busy trade center and shipping point known to business circles in far distant states. But when the canal died, Port Mahon slowly vanished. Old 24 passes over what was once Main street, the scene of spirited horse races and other contests, which drew throngs of people from as far away as Toledo and St. Louis.
Huntington Herald Press, Aug. 7, 1925 Mahon & Packet had endorsement.

A New York gentleman who was then the landlord of one of the foremost and largest hotels of that city, having over three hundred rooms for the accommodation of guests, became seriously struck with the western fever and concluded to take the late Horace Greeley's advice "go west and grow up with the country." This gentleman secured a State contract for constructing a large section of the Erie Canal. While building this thoroughfare west of Fort Wayne he became infatuated with that section of the country and purchased a large tract of land west of Roanoke, about three miles in length, for a mere nominal sum. Being of venturesome mind and seeing the resources which must follow the completion of this enterprise, he further conceived the idea of founding a city on his vast possessions, which would greatly augment their value. He platted a town which bore his name "Mahon.

Samuel Mahon was an Irishman by nationality, a New Yorker by birth, a gentleman of culture and refinement. He was fastdious in dress and courteous to his fellow men, but too reserved to mix much in society with the then common old settlers. He was what we might term "close fisted," and he held the price of his lots above the ideas of prospective buyers, which caused them to meet with poor sale. He seemed to be a poor boomer, as he succeeded in getting no industries, nor creating any himself, for his city which was then in its infancy. On the beginning of operations on the canal after its completion, he was a large stock owner in a packet line from which he derived considerable income up to the time of the completion of the Wabash Railroad which destroyed that industry. Mr Mahon had the honor of running the first canal boat into his infant village. Its arrival was a the occasion of much excitement and favorable comment, and it was met with joy by a large in-gathering of many of the settlers of that vicinity. His first venture was the building and operating of a fair sized hotel for that day, and he was proprietor of a general supply store, the first in the village, which did a thriving business for a time, more especially with the boatmen.

After operating the packet line and other large business affairs in the village for a few years, his town not meeting with its expected success, and meeting with such discouragement on account of its slow growth and his unprofitable business enterprises, he sold bartered and abandoned his holdings there, and undertook a new venture by going to Omaha, Nebraska, making a large purchase in that city of realty in what was soon to become the business part of that great city. He sickened and died a week after his arrival there and making the purchase.

The writers remembrances of Mr. Mahon is very vague, only having seen him ride to and from Huntington on the tow path a few times on horseback while in a field adjoining the canal with my father when at work. I remember he wore a silk plug hat, was dressed in black broadcloth, and rode very erect, somewhat like a military gentleman on dress parade.
Morning Times. Sun. Aug. 22 1909. p 6 col 1. Mahon history by Henry C. Silver

SAMUEL MAHON February 21, 183780.00 acres September 13, 183860.65 acres 57.88 acres Total:228.53acres
Settlers who "entered" lands in Huntington County 1830-1850. Huntington Library

Mary Mahon, wife of Samuel Mahon.
Huntington County Indiana Census of 1850. Huntington Library

The four Mahon brothers, Samuel, Archie, William and Monroe, were later principal owners of an important line of packets which included the Indiana, the Clyde, the Wabash and the Chief Richardville. The last named boat was built by Francis Comparet.
The Pictorial History of Fort Wayne. J.B. Griswold 1917

The following paragraphs, relating to some former citizens of this county, we copy from a paper entitled "Early Reminiscences" printed in the Ft. Wayne Gazette of last Thursday:

The Mahon brothers, Samuel, Arch, William and Monroe, all of whom are now dead, excepting Monroe, the younger of the four, who is now a resident of Huntington, came from the State of New York, where they had for many years been engaged in the boating interests of the Erie canal. They purchased a large tract of land lying along the Wabash canal, some six miles this side of Huntington, laid off thereon the town of Port Mahon, and there established a hotel, store, and warehouse. Soon thereafter the two older brothers, Samuel and Arch, came to Ft. Wayne and organized a joint stock company known as the Wabash and Erie Packet Boat Company, the stockholders being composed of some of our most energetic citizens, viz; Dr. D. L. Thompson, Francis Comparet, Col. Stephen Coles, and the firm of Sherman & Nelson, all of whom have long since departed this life, with the exception of I. D. G. Nelson, the indefatigable agriculturist.
Soon after the organization went into effect, we had a daily line of packets to supersede the slow line boat. Then we could travel in Eastern style, fast time, good fare and experienced captains, the four brothers acting in that capacity, all of whom performed admirably upon their key bugle, and always upon their arrival and departure from each town regaled the citizens with excellent music. But for some cause or other, the enterprise did not prove successful, and in fact it came very near bringing financial ruin upon all connected with it.
Indiana Herald Wed. June 5, 1872. p2 col 3

WABASH & ERIE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY: The subscribers will commence running at the opening of navigation on the Wabash and Erie Canal, a DAILY LINE of boats for passengers and freight from Lafayette, Indiana, to a point in Ohio, 6 miles from beyond the Indiana State line, making 146 miles.
The boats will meet Neil Moore & Co.'s Line of stages at the termination of the canal in Ohio, which they will then continue to run in their usual good style to the Lake. Also an excellent line of boats on the Maumee river will be regularly running from the same place to the Lake for the purpose of carrying goods and passengers. Steamboats and stages are running in all directions from Lafayette and stages running north and south from Logansport, which will afford every facility to travelers that can be required and far exceeding any previous arrangements.
Fare will be reduced so as to meet the expectations of a generous public.
SAM'L MAHON, L.G. THOMPSON, F. COMPARET
N.B. Stages will be put on between Lafayette and Fort Wayne in connection with the present line to the Lake, as soon as navigation closes in the fall: so that in future there will be no interruption to travelers through this region at any season of the year.
Tippecanoe Journal & Commercial Advertiser Aug 11, 1841 - Advertisement

Samuel Mahon was in charge of a construction gang, and the story is told that he influenced the builders to miss the site of Roanoke, and the station was built first at Mahon."
The Saga of a Hoosier Village . E. W. Wasmuth

CAPT. SAM MAHON: The Fort Wayne Sentinel (Dem,) speaking of the above named gentleman, whose name has been announced as a candidate for Congress, says: "He is an enterprising, energetic fellow, full of life and spirits, and is favorably known to the traveling community as a pioneer on the Wabash and Erie Canal, having been a sort of Commodore of the first line of packets that run on the canal. He would be a fair representative of the Whig party in this district, and if there was the slightest chance for that party to elect their candidate, we should be as well satisfied with Capt. Mahon as any other man in their ranks. We are afraid however he is too poor a man to have much chance in the convention against his wealthy competitors. "Money makes the mare to go," and we predict the Captain will find that though "he is a very good looking man, he can't come in."
Indiana Herald. Wed. April 18, 1849. Page 2, col 4.

Lists Samuel Mahon as the Assistant Marshal for the census.
Huntington County Indiana Census if 1850 (Huntington Library)

Capt. Samuel Mahon, and the Lieut. Geo S. Brinkeroff are about recruiting a company for the war. Capt. Mahon will receive recruits at Mahon, and Liet. Brinkeroff at the Auditors office in this place. Both these gentlemen are well known in the county, and would make reasonable and unexceptionable officers, in whom privates could place the most implicit confidence.
Huntington Democrat, Thur Oct. 17, 1861 p. 3 col. 1

Up to this time traffic on the canal had been almost entirely local, but early in 1841 the Wabash and Erie Transportation Company owned by Samuel Mahon, Lewis G. Thompson, and Francis Comparet advertised thet they would "Commence running at the opening of the navigation on the Wabash and Erie Canal a Daily Line of boats for passengers and freight from Lafayette, Indiana to a point 6 miles beyond the Indiana state line; making 146 miles.
Fort Wayne during the Canal Era. Charles R. Poinsatte. IN Historical Bureau. 1969 p. 73

On the beginning of operations of the canal, after its completion, he (Samuel Mahon) was a large stock owner in a packet line from which he derived considerable income up to the time of the completion of the Wabash railroad which destroyed that industry. Mr. Mahon held the honor of running the first canal boat into his infant village. Its arrival was met with joy by a large in gathering of many of the settlers of that vicinity.
After operating the packet line and other business affairs in the village for a few years, his town not meeting with its expected succes, and meeting with much discouragement on account of its slow growth and his unprofitable business interests, he (Samuel Mahon) sold, bartered and abandoned his holdings there and undertook a new venture by going to Omaha, Nebraska, making a large purchase in that city of realty in what was soon to become the business part of that growing city. He sickened and died a week after his arrival there and making the purchase.
Morning Times. Sun. Aug. 22 1909. p 6 col 1. Mahon history by Henry C. Silver

Washington National Monument NAMES OF CONTRIBUTORS
Isaac D'Long, Lawyer	Huntington
George W. Smith, Cabinetmaker	"
William H. D'Long, Printer	"
John Kenower, Cabinetmaker	"
George W. Favorite, Farmer	"
Alex W. D'Long, Editor of Herald	"
Alex McLean, Farmer	"
Alfred A. Hubble, Tanner	"
Andrew J. Craford, Baker	"
Mrs Mary M. Crawford	"
James Price, Saddler	"
Samuel W. Hawley, Co. Treasurer	"
J. E. Taylor, Tailor	"
John Zeigler, Merchant	"
Samuel Moore, Merchant	"
John Moore, Merchant	"
John Roche, Merchant	"
Thomas Roche, Clerk	"
Jesse Davies, Druggist	"
J. Weed, Carpenter	"
T. V. Horton, Merchant	Roanoke
F. M. Horton, Clerk	"
L. Horton, Professor	"
C. B. Richards,	"
Robert Ream	"
The above nemed persons have each contributed $1 to the Washington National Monument, and from the very willing manner in which it was bestowed, shows that they duly appreciate, and are not unmindful of the many blessings enjoyed, by the great deeds of the immortal Washington. Many others have intimated their intentions of contributing to the erection of this noble work; all of those who are desirous of doing so will please call at the Post Office, in Huntington, where they can get their certificates. The names will be published as fast as received.
SAMUEL MAHON, Agent
February 11th, 1851
Indiana Herald 19 February, 1851. Pg 2, col 5

Archibald Mahon, one of four Mahon brothers living south of Roanoke, platted and filed for record the town on June 20, 1853. The original plat shows 94 lots, 7 streets and a public square.
Ghost towns of Huntington County. Doris M. Chambers.1971.

Captain Arch Mahon of the Noble, Captain Swinney of the St. Mary's, and Captain Young of the Lafayette were known to press and public as kind, generous and accommodating.
Huntington Herald Press, Aug. 7, 1925 Mahon & Packet had endorsement.

Mahala Mahon, wife of Archibald Mahon. Archibald Mahon, another brother, followed the occupation of boat captain.
Morning Times. Sun. Aug. 22 1909. p 6 col 1. Mahon history by Henry C. Silver

Thus the first boat to run the entire length from Toledo to Lagro was the Red Bird under Captain Mahon.
Pioneer Days in the Wabash Valley. Flossie Enyart Bailet. 1933

Archibald Mahon, another brother, followed the occupation of boat captain. While a resident there (Mahon) he took a severe cold one chilly day which soon developed into consumption. Thinking a change of climate would improve his health he went to Florida, but grew worse and soon died.
Morning Times. Sun. Aug. 22 1909. p 6 col 2. Mahon history by Henry C. Silver

Another brother was Bill Mahon, who was a black sheep in the flock, for the reason that he liked to hunt, trap, live in the wilds and mingle with the Indians rather than among white folks.

One time Bill the trapper remained away from Mahon longer than usual. The Indians could give no information. Bill's boat was also missing. After a long search his body, pierced by a bullet, was found lying in the bottom of the boat. Whether the death was an accident, a suicide or the deed of an asasin could never be solved.
Huntington Herald. Jan 2, 1926 - F.S. Bash article.


William Mahon, a brother of the above (Samuel), was located there. He followed the occupation of boat captain. One summer evening while deer hunting in a canoe on the river, he spied some game. Hastily drawinh his gun on the deer the hammer got against some object and discharged the contents in his knee, which severed the artery of his leg and caused a very profuse hemorrhage. He hastily rowed to shore and disembarked from the frail craft. While yet in the shallow water he dropped over from loss of blood and fatigue and died.
Morning Times. Sun. Aug. 22 1909. p 6 col 2. Mahon history by Henry C. Silver

One time Bill the trapper remained away from Mahon longer than usual. The Indians could give no information. Bill's boat was also missing. After a long search his body, pierced by a bullet, was found lying in the bottom of the boat. Whether the death was an accident, a suicide or the deed of an asasin could never be solved.
Huntington Herald. Jan 2, 1926 - F.S. Bash article.

Mr. Wm. D. Mahon, a well known citizen of this county, residing some eight miles east of this place, met with an unfortunate accident which resulted in his death on the 27th inst. It appears that he was "fire hunting" on Little River, and in getting out of the boat, on the bank, the gun was prematurely discharged, the ball passing through his leg, near the knee, and severing the main artery. Persons in the vicinity were attracted to the spot by his cries, but too late to render any relief. When found life was extinct. It is presumed that the severe wound and loss of blood was the cause of death ensuing so suddenly. This is truly a melancholy occurrence, and should prove a warning to those who are almost constantly using fire-arms with so much imprudence.
Indiana Herald. July 6, 1853. p 2. col. 2 - Obituary Sad Occurrence.

Among the first settlers was his (Samuel Mahon) brother, Monroe Mahon, who built the then palatial residence in the grove on the north side of Main street. This residence is still standing and is in good repair. This gentleman was the proprietor of the Mahon grist mill where the farmers had an opportunity to get their wheat, corn and buckwheat converted into flour and meal for their summer's bread and winter's corn pone and buckwheat cakes. ......Monroe also kept the principal store at Mahon and was owner of two farms just east of the corporation line. He was considered very wealthy....
Monroe Morning Times. Sun. Aug. 22 1909. p 6 col 1. Mahon history by Henry C. Silver

MAHON: at the residence of A.W. DeLong, in Huntington, Indiana, on the morning of February 1st, 1871, of consumption. Monroe C. Mahon, aged - yrs.
Indiana Herald Wed. March 1, 1871. p3 col 5 - Obituary

Monroe Mahon ran a grist mill and distillery. He used the leftovers from the distillery business to feed hogs and fatten them for market. The hogs were owned by farmers with whom he divided the profits.
Fro the Forks to Paradise, 1996, Canal Society of Indiana