Montgomery County – Its Early Officers and Citizens

By A. H. H. Rountree, in the Hillsboro Democrat, Aug. 27, 1873

William Cannon came to Montgomery County about 1824 when there were only three cabins in Hillsboro; with him came two brothers, Charles and John Cannon, all of whom settled here, and as John and Charles are not living we will say of them that John married Millie Loving, daughter of Wm Loving who lived where Joseph McBride now lives.  They had two daughters; Eliza married Tom Rose who fought through the Mexican War with distinction.  Tom is dead and his widow afterwards married John Armentrout and they live in Idaho.  Louise became the wife of John Henry White but is now dead, leaving two children. 

John Cannon also raised one daughter for his wife, Mary, who first married a son of Uncle Billy Griffith, who went to California and never returned.  She is now the wife of Henry Robinson and resides a few miles south of town.  John Cannon died many years ago and his wife survived him several years.

Charles Cannon married a French lady by the name of Stam, a sister of the wife of Mr. Dickenson and Mr. Thomas, who were our first brick masons.  On the breaking out of the mining fever at Galena Mr. Cannon, as well as Mr. Dickenson and Mr. Thomas, removed to the lead district and settled in Wisconsin.  Charles Cannon died there.

A few years after William Cannon came to our county two of his sister came; Nancy who married Thomas W. Heady, and died early leaving no children.  Margaret married a Mr. Hearld and removed to Missouri where she died leaving seven children.

Thomas Cannon, their father came to the county several times on visits and remained long enough to become pretty generally known.  Returning to Kentucky he died at the age of 93 years.

William Cannon was married to Catherine Loving in 1826, and settled a few miles south of Hillsboro.  They raised a large family of thirteen children out of fifteen.  William R. Cannon, his oldest son, married a Miss. Riber, and has four children.  He has been good-naturedly nicknames “Chuck” by which perhaps best known.  He prospered so fast and well that he became infected with the Western fever and pulled up stakes a year or so ago and started West and landed in Kansas, where he now resides.

Permelia, his oldest daughter, first was married to Wm. Compton, who died early leaving one child.  Permelia afterwards married James Grisham with whom she now lives, having nine children of whom four are married.  She is now the grandmother of five children.  Betsy Ann married first James Brown who died early leaving one child.  She afterwards married John Stevens.  They have nine children of whom two are married.  There is only one child to call Patsy Ann grandmother.  They reside near Donnellson.

Christians married William Edward who died a few years ago since, leaving nine children.  Allen and his wife labored early and late to secure a piece of land for each child, and having secured that, built a fine house for his family and like many others who have striven for the same end, and on its accomplishment, sickened and died.

Martha married John Pence and lives near Walshville.  They have four children.

Eleanora married Charles Edwards, brother of W.A. Edwards.  They have nine children and reside southwest of Hillsboro a few miles.

Susan married Thomas W. Green and has nine children.

Sarah Cannon married Wm. Vickory and has some five or six children; they moved to Kansas a year or two ago.

James Cannon married Jane Weese and died recently, leaving three small children.

Samuel P. Cannon married Sophronia Butler and lives on Shoal Creek.  They have two children.

Amanda married Del. McAlister and now resides in Mo; three children.

Maria married James Hoffman and lives south of Hillsboro a few miles.  They have two children.

John and Martin are at home.  Mr. Cannon has ever been a prominent man in private as well as a political point of view.  He has often been called on in a private way to settle disputes as well as juryman to try cases.  Often he has served as constable and deputy sheriff, and has pursued the business of collecting, comprising and settling up debts for others.  In a large measure he has been useful as administrator, executor, or guardian for others.

He has 15 children, of whom 13 are living; 99 grandchildren; of whom 90 are living; 13 great grandchildren living.