CANNON Clifton, Marksville Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Randy DeCuir ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Clifton Cannon, the popular sheriff of Avoyelles Parish, La., has resided here from his birth, May 24, 1856, and the confidence which the people have in him is, therefore, intelligently placed, for they have known him from boyhood, and have had every opportunity to judge of his character and qualifications. His education was received in Jefferson College, of St. James Parish, La., which institution he attended for four years. He is the second son of Fenelon and Mary E. Cannon.10 His mother was the only daughter of Maj. John Botts,11 of Roanoke, Va. Maj. Botts was born on April 12, 1784. The date of his birth shows that it was nearly contemporary with that of the American Republic. The child of 1784 has seen a people who had been scarcely free two years when he was born, grow and occupy one of the largest places in the history of the world. In comparing the splendor of the dawn of the American Republic with its present vast resources and proportions, he is a happy citizen who can write upon his tomb, "I have been the contemporary of Washington." In 1812 Maj. John Botts saw the struggle between the United States and England renewed. He joined the standard of his country under Gens. Hull and Harrison, and soon rose to the position of major, and gained distinction in the struggle. In 1824 he moved to Avoyelles Parish, La., and there devoted himself to the culture of cotton. He married October 21, 1832, Miss Mary Custard, of Mississippi. Thirty-four years after his arrival in Avoyelles, he died on July 22, leaving a large fortune. He left a wife and daughter, who leans upon the valiant arm of her husband, Fenelon Cannon. Fenelon Cannon was born in Cadiz, Trigg County, Ky., on Friday, November 18, 1825. After receiving his education at the age of eighteen years, he left his native State and located in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, La. He there devoted himself to the study of the law, and soon became a member of the bar. On Friday, December 24, 1852, he was married to Mary Elizabeth Botts, and from that time he resided in Avoyelles. At the Marksville bar he was considered one of its best lawyers. He soon gained distinction in the State as a lawyer. He also became distinguished as a politician. To them were born four sons: Lester, Clifton, Courtney and Fenelon. On January 26, 1861, Fenelon Cannon affixed his signature to the ordinance of secession, he having been chosen to represent his parish in the convention. At the opening of the war he soon raised a company of cavalry, and joined the first cavalry of Louisiana, he being captain of Company A, First Louisiana Cavalry, being under Col. Scott.12 He fought on the fields of Kentucky and Virginia. Being in very bad health, he went to Hot Springs, Ark., and there died on Friday, April 10, 1863. His wife after seeing two of her sons grown and one married, after a long and protracted illness, died on August 17, 1878, at the age of forty-two years ten months and seven days. Clifton Cannon was married on December 23, 1875, to Miss Annie L. Joffrion, oldest child of Senator E. J. Joffrion, of Avoyelles. Her parents are from Kentucky and Louisiana. Senator Joffrion was born and raised in Avoyelles. At an early age he became a member of the Avoyelles bar, and is today the ablest criminal lawyer of the parish. He was a member of the Constitution Convention of 1879, and was one of the few members who voted against the re-chartering of the famous Louisiana Lottery. He afterward served in the Legislature and served with distinction in the State Senate. Clifton Cannon is the father of five daughters: Annie May, Eula Irine, Effie C., Edna Ruby and Ivy. He served as first deputy sheriff from July 1, 1875, to May 24, 1888, on which day he was sworn in as sheriff, which position he has filled with success. Mr. Cannon is the owner of about 1,500 acres of land, and is considered a man of means. He is a member of the Catholic Church. His friends in the parish are innumerable, in consequence whereof he has on several occasions been chosen as a delegate to the State conventions, and is well known throughout his State.