John A. Canning

CANNING, THOMPSON

Posted By: Tim West (email)
Date: 5/14/2006 at 01:27:59

JOHN A. CANNING, who was born and reared in Monroe County, has been known by the people of that county for a quarter of a century as a banker at Albia, where he is president of the People's National Bank.

Mr. Canning was born in Monroe County September 20, 1874, son of Edward A. and Jane E. (Thompson) Canning. His parents were born in Ireland, and both were of the sturdy pioneer characteristics that meant so much to the institutions and the fabric of society of early Iowa. The mother died in 1918 and the father in 1916. Edward A. Canning came to the United States when a child with his mother and two sisters, in April, 1851. They first lived in Pennsylvania, but in November of the same year came to Iowa and settled in Monroe County, which was then well out toward the western frontier. He grew up under frontier conditions, and when the Civil war came entered the Union army and was promoted to first lieutenant of Company E of the Sixth Iowa Infantry. After the war he was a hard working and prosperous farmer. At one time he enjoyed the distinction of being the best speller in his community. Once a Methodist clergyman challenged him to a a spelling contest. The minister had previously won a match, in which he was awarded a book for the prize, and this book he offered as a prize to Edward A. Canning should he be successful. A match was arranged, attracted a large crowd, and Edward A. Canning finally spelled down the Methodist minister and was awarded the prize. The director of the contest and the man who called out the words was former Gov. Nathan E. Kendall, one of Albia's most highly distinguished citizens.

John A. Canning was educated in country schools and continued his education in Penn College at Oskaloosa, and later in Tarkio College, a United Presbyterian Church school in Missouri. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church at Albia. From early youth his ambition was to follow a career as a banker. His first important experience and training in finance came while he was employed by a large Omaha real estate, abstract and bond house.

Mr. Canning in 1905 returned to Albia and in 1912 was made cashier of the People's National Bank. Since 1923 he has been president of that solid and conservative institution.

Along with a successful career as a banker has gone a constant willingness and effort in civic affairs. For several years he was a member of the city school board, and is now active in the Albia Rotary Club. Among other interests, Mr. Canning owns two fine stock and grain farms north of Albia.

Mr. Canning married, October 13, 1904, Miss Henrietta H. Dinsmore, of Kirkville, Iowa, daughter of Dr. David C. and Cyrilla J. (Andrew) Dinsmore. Her father was a Union soldier for three years, being a captain in the First Iowa Cavalry, and was a pioneer doctor who practiced over an extensive territory. Doctor Dinsmore died November 9, 1921, at the age of ninety0one, and his wife passed away at Kirkville in June, 1921. Mrs. Canning has long been prominent in educational and social affairs at Albia. She is a past president of Chapter H. P. E. O., is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and for twenty-seven years belonged to General De Lafayette Chapter of Indiana, but has recently transferred her membership to the Albia organization. She is president of the Albia Woman's Club and a member of the board of trustees of the Albia Public Library.

Mr. and Mrs. Canning have one son, John A., Jr., born August 20, 1910. He was a member of the class of 1931 at Grinnell College, where he majored in journalism. Mr. Canning was managing editor of the Grinnell Scarlet and Black, student newspaper, president of the Iowa College Press Association, and an active participant in several organizations on the Grinnell campus. He also was a student at Culver Military Academy and the University of Iowa.

A Narrative History

of

The People of Iowa

with
SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN
EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY,
BUSINESS, ETC.
by

EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M.