My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography from the book,  The History of Franklin County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

Francis M. Canon was born in Washington County, Ark., November 26, 1833, near Prairie Grove. His father, James Canon, was born in South Carolina, and when a young man went to Georgia, where he married Patsy Knowles, a native of that State. From Georgia Mr. Canon went to Tennessee, and after four years’ residence there moved to Arkansas in 1830, and for about twelve years farmed in Washington County. He then moved to Franklin County, and there died in October, 1865. He served under Gen. Jackson in the War of 1812, and participated in the battle of New Orleans. Francis M. Canon lived upon his father’s farm in Franklin County until grown, and in 1855 was married in Washington County to Sarah J. Spencer, daughter of D. H. and Elizabeth Spencer. In August 1862, he joined the Second Arkansas Infantry, under Col. Gunter, Confederate army, and served until the close of the war. He fought in the battle of Prairie Grove, and after his regiment was disbanded, in 1865, returned to Franklin, and resumed his farming. He located upon his present farm in 1867, to which he has since added until he now owns 240 acres of land, 200 being the home place, and 100 acres of which are improved. Mr. Canon lost his first wife in September, 1883, by whom he had six children, all save one now living: Elizabeth, wife of Paul Jenkins; Martha E.; S. P., clerk in Ozark; Mary Belle, deceased; William H. and John F. July 27, 1887, Mr. Canon was united in marriage to Nancy Bounds, who was born and reared in Mississippi, and is a daughter of Joseph Bounds, of this county. Mr. Canon is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the Presbyterian.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 163 biographies included in The History of Franklin County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Franklin County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Franklin County, Arkansas family biographies here: Franklin County, Arkansas

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.