Cantrell, Jacob, one of the early settlers of Douglas county, came from Missouri, and Cutler says he built the first log cabin where the city of Baldwin now stands. The name is also spelled Cantrel and Cantral. He was not particularly active in the political troubles of the period, but spent his time in developing his claim. However, at the battle of Black Jack; June 2, 1856, he went to the aid of the free-state forces. Soon after this he was captured by some of the border ruffians and given a mock trial on the charge of being guilty of "treason to Missouri." The sentence was death, and he was accordingly shot on June 6, 1856.