Biography of William Canon, Independence Co, AR

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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas. 
Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889.
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page 648 

Rev. William Canon, who has ministered to the spiritual wants of his
fellowmen in Independence County for many years, is a native of Rutherford
County, Tenn., born on the 19th of February, 1832. His father, John Canon, was
born in North Carolina in 1790, and served faithfully and well in the War of
1812. He participated in the battle of Horseshoe Bend, and in several minor
engagements. He died in Carroll County, Tenn., in 1865. His wife, who had been
originally Miss Elizabeth Dickson, was born in North Carolina in 1792, and died
in the year 1875. Rev. William [p.648] Canon received a good English education
in Bethel College, McLemoresville, Tenn. He remained with his father in Carroll
County, Tenn., until 1857, when he moved to Searcy, White County, Ark, and from
there to Independence County, in the same year. There he has since remained. He
was a delegate to the Cumberland Presbyterian Conference, which convened at
Evansville, Ind., in 1859, and was sent as a delegate to the Memphis
Conference, in 1878. By his union to Miss Kate McFarland, of Independence
County, Ark., he became the father of two children, only one now living, Albert
D., who is engaged in commercial pursuits at Batesville. The youngest, Willie
H., is no more. Mr. Canon is the owner of 140 acres of land in Independence
County, and has a comfortable home. During the war he was in the Confederate
service, joining McCauley's volunteers in 1863. He was then transferred to Col.
Newton's regiment, and was made chaplain, which position he held until his
health failed, and he was honorably discharged. He is a man of great public
spirit, and one who takes decided interest in public affairs. He is a Mason, in
good standing. He and his estimable lady are members of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church. In politics, he is a Prohibitionist, from the Democratic
party.