Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 461
J.H.CANON,pharmacist, druggist, and dealer in drugs, surgical instruments and optical goods, Muscatine, Iowa, was born in Richland County, Ohio, on the 15th of June, 1832, and is the son of Samuel R. and Rachel (Singery) Canon. His father was born in Fayette County, Pa., of Irish parentage, and his mother was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1801. Our subject was educated in the public schools of his native town, Leesville, and when sixteen years of age went to Uniontown,Pa., where he learned the drug business. Continuing in that employment for three and a half years, he went to Philadelphia, where he spent the three succeeding years in the same line of work, after which he removed to Holt County, Mo.,his parents having gone there in 1852, where he spent the winter. In the spring of 1855 he came to Muscatine, Iowa, and engaged as clerk with Fay & Storm, druggists, continuing with them about three and a half years. Closing his connection with that house in the fall of 1858, he was then employed in various ways for the succeeding two and a half years, until April, 1861, he purchased a stock of drugs, and engaged in business for himself. It is now twenty-eight years since that event, and Mr. Canon has carried on the business uninterruptedly and with marked success. So closely has he applied himself to the store that his total absence during that entire period will not exceed three months' duration.

On the 7th of April, 1858, at Muscatine, Iowa, Mr. Canon wedded Miss Rhoda Smalley, a daughter of Andrew Smalley. She was born at Carthage, Ohio, near Cinncinnati, and came to Muscatine when two years of age. Four children were born of their union, but twin boys, Samuel and Andrew, died in infancy; Nellie Fay, the third child was united in marriage, June 27, 1888, with William E. Blivens, and resides at Sioux Falls, Dak.; Anna Bertha, the youngest child, is still at home. Our subject and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. He is an earnest Republican in politics. He has considerable landed property, owning a large farm in Illinois, on which a coal bank is located; also a farm on Muscatine Island, and one adjoining the city, comprising a large portion of the old fair ground. Our subject is recognized as one of the leading business men of Muscatine, and enjoys the respect and esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances.

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