The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-05-02
WESLEY CANNON
Typical Career Of a Well Known
and Prominent Citizen of
Helena.
One Of the Milllonaires OF Mon
tana With an Interesting
Career.

The Largest Taxpayer in tho City and
Promoter OF Modern Municipal
improvements.
The National Magazine, a publication de-
voted almost exclusively to the west and
northwest, makes a speciality Of publishing
tho portraits Of wenlthy and prominent
men in this section, az wall as giving
sketches Of their careers. The April num-
Der contains a life-like picture of Chas. W.
Cannon, OF this city, and also a sketch OF
his life, which IL as follows: +
The story neyer ceases to be an interest,"
ing one Of the pioneers who opened MP the
new country Of the great west to civiliza-
ton, while at hos same time In q few years
achieving individual business SUCCESS Of
the greateat magnitude. In view OF the
rapid occupation Of the new states by
means OF immigration, the opportunities
for such rapid climbs to wealth are rapidly
clipping away and giving place to n general
average of comfortable completeness. A
decade or two hence the phenomenal en-
terprises which have created the Montana
%milliouaires will be part Of tho history of
the past.
A typical career is hat of Charles Wesley
Cannon, who 10 descended through a long
line OF Huguenot ancestors from Jan Can
non, the founder OF the Cannon family in
America. Jan Cannon became a large
merchant in New York city, the record
showing that he was in America as early as
1852. His descendants nave comprised q
number Of esteemed and prominent citi-
zens Of the republic.
Charles W.. Cannon wac born in Cleve-
land, O.. July !, 1886, and at an early age
with his parents to Iowa, which
was at that time what was known az a part
OF the territory Of Michigan. The father
himself as a merchant in Du-
buque and there the son passed his boy
hood, receiving his education in the com
mon schools. Upon the failure Of lis faith
health the merchants entire business
upon Charles, at that time but 1G
years OF age. Thus care and responsible
lty, which usually comes with mature
proved in this case, Us it has done in
the career OF more than one successful
nan, a severe but most valuable schooling.
boy showed enterprise and ability ia
the conduct Of the business and became
richer in experience.
In 1853 he entered into partnership with
George 3. Smith. and under the name 81
CAnnon5G Smith the firm became one of
largest and most successful in the state
Of Iowa. In 1868, soon after a double be.
reavement by the death Of their father and
only sister, Mr.: Cannon and his younger
brother determined to leave the soene of
their sorrow and identify themselves with
the far west. Mr.. Cannon sold out his
business to advantage. and in the spring of
The year the journey was begun towards the
mining region. The young men crossed the
plains with their own team and wagon,
takin the route past Omaha. north Of the
Platte river and Lander's cutoff. The trip
tedious for the most part, and occa-
many hardships and privations dur
lng the five months consumed in reaching
Virginia City, Montana. But there were
exciting episodes. Twice they were attacked
BY parties Of Sioux Indians, and barely
with their lives.
Arrived at Virginia City, they imme-
lately began merchandising under the
firm name OF Cannon Bros, but upon the
announcement of the discovery Of the ex-
tensive gold placer mines in Helena the
following spring. Mr.. Charles Cannon i'm
nedlately set out for the new Eldorado.
Ind opened a new business house under the
Of Cannon d Quade. Out Of this
irm, later on, grew that Of Kerohival, Can
d Co.. which as a wholesale grocery
depot of mining supplies, became one
If the largest establishments in the terri
;ory.
But MI. Cannon, with keen d~iscernment,
.oresaw the bright future of Helena, and
'atlsed from the mercantile pursuits in
So, to give his entire attention to real
state and the mining business. In both of
,hese directions he was uniformly success-
'ul and in a few years became a million
llre. To-day he is the largest taxpayer in
Helena, and one OF the young city's most
citizens.
He was largely instrumental in procuring
or his adopted city her gas, electric light
Ind street railway Bystems, and he ia the
and largest Btockholder of each
the three companies which furnish these
lie is vice-president of tho
nontana Central RAILWAY. and a director of
eyeral mining companies. Outside OF his
III these dii ectious, MIR, Cannon
8 one OF the largest wool growers in Mon
ana. Ills ranch comprises 5000 acres. re-
Iulres twenty-eiaht miles of fence to
nolose it. and is stocked with nearly 2O,O 900
heep, besides cattle and horses. This es-
is thoroughly equipped with
he latest implements and is Il model of it's
At OleWlne. Ia, great sheds haye
cen constructed, where c~onsignments of
hsep for the east nre detained and fed
NTH they are i'll proper condition for the
'hlcnRo market. The wool from Mr.. Can
.on's hocks commands the highest prices
or Montana wool in the local and Boston
In March, 1868, MIR. Cannon was
to Catherine b. MARITIME. only
sughtsr CT the late Capt. w. w. MARITIME,
t ithaca, N. Y. Mrs. Cannon is a
sdy of rare culture and refinement,
lender in society, her home
open for entertainment of her
riends. who never fail of n most hospita-
10 welcome. Two children have blessed
ais home. but one of them, Bernice Mar
nlque, a beautiful girl, died in 1889, at
le age of Is years. William Ls Grand,
ae son, now 10 years of age, received his
arly education in Francs and Germany,
nd was repaired for college at
Panl's school, Concord. N. Fl. The
smlly AVE travelled extensively in Eu-
'pe, and generally spend a considerable
art or their winter in New York CITY. '
9th MIR. Cannon and his accomplished
life are members of tho Episcopal church. \
r. Cannon il Il staunch republican in
.ol1tlos. but his business ENTERPRISES have
completely engaged his time that he has
nlformly refused to hold any public office. n
ut i'll developing the resources of his h
1opted state he has probably contributed
ore etfectnally toward the prosperity of
lat section and the entire country than he
'uld have done in a whole lite time in n