For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 40
JOSHUA H. CANON, for almost half a century was a resident of Muscatine and throughout that period was closely associated with the business activity and development of the city. His worth both as a business man and citizen made him highly esteemed, and his memory is yet cherished by many who knew him.A native of Ohio, Mr. Canon was born June 15, 1832, and his parents Samuel R. and Rachel Canon, were also natives of the buckeye State. The father was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit in Ohio until he removed westward to Missouri, becoming one of the early settlers of Holt County, where he died October 12, 1863, well advanced in years. His wife passed away January 23, 1868. They were the parents of six children, namely: Joshua H., William, Elizabeth Ann, Thomas, John and Mary.
Joshua H. Canon was a resident of Ohio until about sixteen years of age, when he went to Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and lived with his uncle Joshua. There he learned the drug business, and when he bacame familiar with the trade removed to Philadelphia, where he resided until he came to Muscatine in 1856. Here he established a drug store, which he continued with success for many years, having a well appointed establishment, which was literally patronized because of the excellent line of goods which he carried and his straightforward honorable business methods. In 1902 he removed to Tacoma Washington, where he lived for five years, after which he returned to Muscatine and here his remaining days were passed.
On the 7th of April, 1858, Mr. Canon was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda Smalley, a daughter of Andrew and Rhoda ( Shepherd ) Smalley, who came to Muscatine in 1839 when the city was but a small trading post on the western frontier and was called Bloomington. Mrs. Canon was born in Carthage, Ohio, and was only two years old when her parents came to Muscatine, arriving in 1839. Here she has since lived, with the exception with five years spent in Tacoma and also a period when she was absent at school. By her marriage she became the mother of twin sons, Samuel and Andrew, but both died in infancy; and a daughter Nellie, who is now the wife of William E. Bliven, one of the most prominent and prosperous business men in Muscatine, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume. In April 1873, Mr. and Mrs. Canon adopted a baby girl, Anna Bertha, who is now Mrs. C. E. Hodgson, of Rock Island, Ill.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Canon were members of the Congregational church, and their upright honorable lives won for them the esteem and high regard of all who knew them. Mr. Canon was at one time a member of the state militia, while his younger brother was a soldier of ther Civil war and belonged to the Missouri scouts. His interest in the welfare of his fellowman was deep and sincere, and at all times he was a cooperant factor in the measures and movements which he deemed of value in promoting the progress and prosperity of the county. He died February 25, 1906, and his death was the occasion of deep regret to his many friends.
Back to Biographical Index Page