Biography of Francis M. Canon, Franklin Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Date: 16 Aug 1998 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** SOURCE: History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford, Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889. Francis M. Canon was born in Washington County, Ark., November 26, 1833, near Prairie Grove. His father, James Canon, was born in South Carolina, and when a young man went to Georgia, where he married Patsy Knowles, a native of that State. From Georgia Mr. Canon went to Tennessee, and after four years' residence there moved to Arkansas in 1830, and for about twelve years farmed in Washington County. He then moved to Franklin County, and there died in October, 1865. He served under Gen. Jackson in the War of 1812, and participated in the battle of New Orleans. Francis M. Canon lived upon his father's farm in Franklin County until grown, and in 1855 was married in Washington County to Sarah J. Spencer, daughter of D. H. and Elizabeth Spencer. In August, 1862, he joined the Second Arkansas Infantry, under Col. Gunter, Confederate army, and served until the close of the war. He fought in the battle of Prairie Grove, and after his regiment was disbanded, in 1865, returned to Franklin and resumed his farming. He located upon his present farm in 1867, to which he has since added until he now owns 240 acres of land, 200 being the home place, and 100 acres of which are improved. Mr. Canon lost his first wife in September, 1883, by whom he had six children, all save one now living: Elizabeth, wife of Paul Jenkins; Martha E.; S. P., clerk in Ozark; Mary Belle, deceased; William H. and John F. July 27, 1887, Mr. Canon was united in marriage to Nancy Bounds, who was born and reared in Mississippi, and is a daughter of Joseph Bounds, of this county. Mr Canon is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the Presbyterian.