New-York tribune., 1906-11-04

member OF the commission to Investigate the
condition of the contrabands he rendered loyal
and valuable service to the Republic Not alone
he conspicuous soldier and ardent patriot,
but he distinguished alike in Industrial. CIVIC
and social life. Almost all OF his ninety-one years
were spent less directly in the service or
his country and fellow men.
Colonel Cannon was born in Troy N Y. No
vember !, 1873 His father well known in that
part OF the state. having founded the big rolling
mills in that city and having built the Cannon
Place Block. which still bears his As
young man the son took up business and soon pros
pered. He was Of the first to realize the
possibilities which lay in the shipping trade Of the
lakes After establishing large interests there he
organized transportation Lake Champlain. and
later became interested extensively in the rail-
channels he soon amassed what was accounted a
considerable fortune before the war
straits, Just prior President Lncons admnistra-
ment came to this city to negotiate a Temporary
loan OF &c. 00O,00o. The bankers. entirely lacking
sumo the debt at frst refused 20 make the loan on
any any condltlon Finally, after meeting OF some Of
agreed to make the loan. but the Secretary of the
demanded, President Lincoln. on his Inauguration.
found the Treasury in q dangerous condition. Then
The next day inspired by the same patriotism that
sent men hockng TO the coloTs some of the wealthy
Of Simeon Draper. Among them Colonel Can
non General Dix, Christopher r. Robert and Samuel
sloan Their object was TO arouse patriotic spirit,
and the much harder task OF helping the federal
meeting, which marked the formation of the famous
Union Defence Committee, Colonel Cannon was
then in command Of the Department of the East
He at once took a leading par, in hurrying the
troops to the front and gained much praise for his
ceSTg pt n AnaTe hand9g oo the va ms - tbs
partment of Virginia with headonarters al Fortress
Monroe in the latter part Of 1851, Colonel Cannon
in 1852 the President appointed him member OF
the commission 10 investigate the condition of the
Colonel Cannon at once became the leading member
OF the commission and drew up the report Of the
commission 10 the President It was adopted al
most Immediately by the War Department its
nine months before President Lincoln issued the
his services President Lincoln offered TO Colonel
he was forced by i'll health to decline the appoint
ment.
Cannon made this city his home living with his
family for than thirty years at No. 81 Fifth
the death Of his only son. Henry LIE Grand Cannon
Eor many years. however. & ne spent pqc4 0I ms
ton, VT, having built a house there in 1857.
varied and extended. He was one of the organizers
and most Jealous members of the Union League
Company. of which he became president; he was
oi 'h9 Gri5snt T b ds citi Ss
periods of its history. and director trustee OF
waVS he Was equally conspicuous For Seven Years
he was a trustee OF the University of Vermont and
ser and breeder OF bIooded horses and caftia o5
his Vermont estate. His love Of good horses nearly
resulted in his death Tive years ago. While driving
in Burlington behind a spirited pair, the animals
SHE'D at an approaching streeJcar and plunged into
an express wagon Colonel Cannons carriage
overturned, throwing him violently 10 the ground.
He struck on his head becoming unconscious. Be
cause Of his advanced age his recovery was most
uncertain for long tizne but finally he
stored TO health, his vigorous intellect in no wise
impaired.
BESIDES being a member OF the Union League
Club Colonel Cannon also member Of the
city and Army and Navy clubs. and Of the Loyal
Legion. He gave up his Fifth avenue home about
eight years ago, moving to No. 10 West 4Tth
street His old home he sold to Johnston Living
ston, father of the Countess de NiIars Of
Paris.
Colonel Cannon left three children, Mrs. Chester
Crfswold Mrs Louis c. Clark and Mrs. Horace ].
Brooks. The widow Of Henry lie Grand Cannon,
who was before her marriage. in 1891. Miss Eliza
beth NJ. Thompson Of Detroit. became the wife or
Theodore Frelinghuysen several years ago.