Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 02.djvu/131

 CANNON.

CANNON

York and "Washington, D. C, in the interest of the sale of bonds of the cities of the nortiiwest, and in purchasing government securities for the national banks of that section. In May, 1884, he was appointed by President Arthur comptroller of the currency, to succeed Jolin Jay Knox. The financial crisis of 1884 began in the same month as Mr. Cannon's appointment, and his official posi- tion required great executive skill. By his prompt action he saved many banks from a re- ceiver's hands, communicating his knowledge of the science of banking to the examiners he ap- pointed. He reported to the senate finance com- mittee the condition of New York city banks, and advised that no publicity be given to their condi- tion as disclosed to the committee, in order that a further panic might be averted and the banks enabled, through the course advised by the comp- troller's department, to regain their normal con- dition without resort to extraordinary legislative measures, which they in all cases did. The cor- porate existence of 971 national banks expired during his term of office, and as this represented a capital of over two hundred and seventy mil- lion dollars, the extension of these bank charters greatly added to his labors. Upon the accession of President Cleveland, in 1885, Secretary Man- ning and the President united in asking Mr. Cannon to continue his duties for the whole presi- dential terra, but he resigned Feb. 1. 1886, to accept the vice -presidency of the national bank of the republic. New York city. On Oct. 3, 1886, he resigned, to become president of the Chase national bank. Mr. Cannon was prominently identified with the New York clearing-house association, as chairman of the clearing-house committee. President Harrison appointed him. as one of the delegates from the United States to the International monetary conference held in Brussels in 1892. He was appointed by Mayor Strong one of the aqueduct commissioners for the city of New York, and was made a director in many financial institutions.

CANNON, James Spencer, clergyman, was born on the island of Curacoa, Jan. 28, 1776. He acquired an academic education at Hackensack, N. J., and, after studying theology, he was licensed to preach in 1796, and became pastor of the Dutch Reformed churches at Millstone and at Six Mile Run, N. J. Later he resigned his work at the former church, and from 1826 until his death he held the cliair of pastoral theology and ecclesiastical hLstorj^ in the seminary at New Brunswick. He was also for a time professor of metaphysics at Rutgers college. He received the degree of D.D. from Union coUege in 1819. He is the author of Lectures on Chronology and Lectures on Pastoral Theologn (1853). He died in New Brunswick, N. J. July 25, 1852.

CANNON, Joseph Q., representative, was born at Guilford, N. C, May 7, 1836. He was educated for the bar in the schools of his native state, and commenced practice at Tuscola, III., removing subsequently to Danville. He served as state's attorney from March, 1861, to Decem- ber, 1868, and as a representative from the fif- teenth district of Illinois to the 43d and every successive Congress, including the 55th. except the 52d Congre.ss, to which he failed of an elec- tion by reason of an ill-advised speecli, which was made the instrument of his defeat. On the organization of the 54tli, 55th, 56th and 57th Con- gresses he was made chairiuan of the committee on approj)riations.

CANNON, Marion, representative, was born near Morgantown, Va., Oct. 30, 1834; son of James and Lucinda Cannon. After acquiring a district-school education he learned the trade of blacksmith, and in 1852 he started for California, driving an ox-team across the continent. He settled in Nevada county and mined until 1874, when he removed to Ventura county and pur- chased a farm. From 1869 to 1871 he was record- er of Nevada county. He was elected first state president of the Farmers' alliance, Nov. 20, 1890, and was re-elected in Oct. 1891 On Oct. 20, 1891, he organized the People's party of California, and was chosen a representative to the supreme council at Indianapolis in November. He was selected by that body to represent California in the industrial conference at St. Louis, Feb. 22, 1892, and was chosen temporary chairman of the conference. On July 4, 1892, he was made chair- man of the California delegation to the national convention of the People's party at Omaha, and the same year was elected a representative to the 53d congress as a Democrat.

CANNON, Newton, governor of Tennessee, was born in Guilford county, N. C, about 1781. He was educated in the public schools and re- moved to Tennessee, where he served in the state legislature during 1811-'12. He enlisted in the war of 1812 as colonel of the Tennessee mounted rifles — threemonths men — and commanded the left column in the battle of Tallahatchee against the Creek Indians, November, 1813. He served as a representative in the 14th, 15th, 17th and 18th congresses. He was appointed by President Monroe one of a commission to treat with the Chickasaw Indians in 1819. He was elected governor of Tennessee in 1835, and served until 1839. He died at Harpeth, Tenn., Sept. 29, 1842.

CANNON, William, governor of Delaware, was born in Bridge ville, Del., in 1809. He was a Methodist class-leader and preacher from 1828 until his death. He served in the state legisla- ture from 1845 to 1849. and for a time filled the office of state treasurer. He was a delegate to