CANON, William O.
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 573-574

William O. CANON, a public-spirited and leading citizen of Sauk County, 
resides on his farm in Woodland Township, where his influence has been 
exerted for the benefit of his community and county and his services given to 
its advancement in all material and educational lines for the past quarter of 
a century. William O. CANON was born in Guilford, Jo Daviess County, IL, 06 
Jul 1849. His parents were Samuel and Louisa (SUTTON) CANNON, the former 
born in Mercer County, PA, and the latter a native of Nottinghamshire, 
England, coming [p 574] to the U. S. when four years old. Samuel and Louisa 
CANON came to Woodland, Sauk County, WI, in 1859, and followed farming until 
the death of the former, which occurred 07 Sep 1888, and his wife died 16 May 
1897. Their remains rest in the Mount Vernon cemetery, at Hillsboro, Vernon 
County, WI. They were most worthy people and won the respect and esteem of 
all with whom they mingled; their deaths were deeply mourned by a large 
circle of friends.

William O. CANON, the subject of this review, was but a lad of ten years when 
his parents brought him to Sauk County, and he obtained a substantial 
education in the public schools of Woodland Township, while during the summer 
months he helped his father on the farm. In 1870 he went westward, part of 
the time engaged in railroading. After traveling through the west he became 
satisfied that WI was good enough for him, so he returned in Feb 1872, to 
Sauk County, and purchased an 80-acre farm in Woodland Township. Three years 
later, however, in order to be near a good school for his children he 
purchased another farm, the one on which he now resides. He has made a 
success of farming, and has also demonstrated his abilities in other 
capacities, being a man of original ideas and an active, executive turn of 
mind.

Mr. CANON was married 22 Jul 1873 to Eliza McCARTHY, daughter of Cornelius 
and Ellen (GALLAGHER) McCARTHY, of Henrietta Township, Richland County, WI. 
Mrs. CANON's parents were natives of Ireland, coming to the U. S. about the 
year 1830. They located in Waukesha County, WI, near Delafield, where they 
resided about seven years, and then moved to Richland County. Mrs. CANON's 
father was a man of good education, and for a number of years acted in the 
capacity of land agent and government surveyor. He was a member of Company 
D, 11th WI Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war, and saw much hard 
service, was distinguished for his energy and daring, and was retired with 
the rank of captain. He died in Sep 1879, and his wife died 07 Mar 1891. 
Their remains rest in Henrietta Township, Richland County, WI. To Mr. and 
Mrs. CANON six children have been born, named in order of birth as follows: 
(1) Fred W., born 08 Oct 1874, now a resident of Woodland Township [Sauk 
County, WI]; (2) Frank A., born 17 Mar 1876, livng at home; (3) Ada, born 
10 Sep 1878, now teaching school; (4) Thomas E., born 21 Nov 1882, at home; 
(5) Aimee J., born 14 Mar 1884, at home; and (6) William J., born 17 Sep 
1891, also at home.

Mr. CANON is active in all public affairs, and is a Republican in political 
views. He has at various times held nearly all the different town offices, 
and served one term, 1889-90, as sheriff of Sauk County. He has never failed 
to discharge his public duties with fidelity and integrity, and his actions 
in public matters have met with a hearty expression of approval from his 
constituents. No man in Sauk County enjoys in a higher degree the respect 
and esteem of all men without party distinction.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly