1849-1911

Annie Yorkston  was born November 16, 1849 in Sterlingshire, Scotland.  She married Benjamin Hogg a commoner, against the wishes of her family, on April 20, 1868 in Glasgow, Scotland.  Annie is said to have been a very stern and regal women.  They came to the United States in 1873 and stayed in Detroit, Michigan until 1879.

On August 28, 1879 the schooner called “Mystery” occupied by Captain Benjamin Hogg, Mrs. Hogg and sons, William, Alex, Marion landed at the Bell homestead. Capt. Hogg told the Bell’s: “Well, I have brought a load of groceries to sell or trade.”   Mr. Bell said: “Fine, fine. You may have to stay for about ten days to send word to the cattlemen and Indians, for you can trade dry goods for hides to the Indians.”   While the men talked the women folks got acquainted.  Annie Hogg told the ladies she had bought one hundred dollars’ worth of goods on a fine watch. They were going to try to build up with the country.  Their plan was to run between Titusville and Jupiter.  People came from Lake Worth to Jupiter to trade with them.

When Annie and Benjamin made their second trip here they struck camp at old Fort Pierce. They did a good business with the Seminoles. Captain built a palmetto house for their goods. Annie had many ups and downs with the Indians. In those days brandied cherries and peaches were sold in all stores. The Indians became very fond of them.  So she would not keep them in stock until she had some protection, for fear the Indians might go wild.  On one occasion Annie was warned by a Seminole, of a plan to do her in, and she avoided that threat.

Annie bought the piece of land from Mr. Reuben Carlton.  The Captain built a two story building to house a store.  She built a large trade with the few people here.  He traded in the West Indies, sold those products in Jacksonville, where he purchased stock for the store.  She also worked hard and their trading post became an established business.  Not long after that time, Mr. Peter P. Cobb and Thomas J. O’Brien came to the area, and Mr. Cobb helped with the store.  Mr. O’Brien came in the interest of the telegraph company, putting up the poles.

Not long after that time Annie sold out to a company of men from Connecticut.  Mr. Jules Tyler served as President of this group.  They came here to start an oyster cannery and the area came to be called Cantown.  Mrs. Hogg, after selling out, turned her attention to real estate.  She and Benjamin bought a saw mill at St. Lucie River.  They did well, and Captain stopped the sea work.  Mrs. Hogg helped the people who had troubles with food.  She never turned away from them and was missed when she passed over to get her reward on December 28, 1911 in Jensen Beach.