Jacob Cantrell was one of the early settlers of Douglas County. He moved to Kansas in 1855. He came from Missouri and built the first log cabin where the city of Baldwin now stands.

He was not particulary active in the political troubles of the period but spent his time developing his claim. However, at the Battle of Blackjack on June 2, 1856 he went to the aid of the free-state forces. Soon after he was captured by some border ruffians lead by Henry Clay Pate, the Editor of the Westport, Missouri newspaper. He was given a mock trial on the charge of treason to Missiouri. He was convicted and lead into a ravine and shot on June 6, 1856. He cried out, “Oh, God, I am shot; I am murdered.” He was then shot the second time. The second shot was not fatal, but was followed by a scream of terror. He was shot a third time and killed.