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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Independence County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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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 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.

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This family biography is one of 158 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Independence County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Independence County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Independence County, Arkansas family biographies here: Independence County, Arkansas Biographies

View a map of 1889 Independence County, Arkansas here: Independence County, Arkansas Map

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