Cannon, Dr. Jefferson S.Posted by Jean Crowl 9 May, 2009

From the Portrait and biographical record of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson counties, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1894)
May, 1894. Lake City Publishing Co.

DR. JEFFERSON S. CANNON, who is engaged in the practice of medicine at Terre Haute, was born in Hamilton County, Tenn., January 16, 1854. His father, Dr. Andrew J. Cannon, was born in the same State in 1818. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Melinda Sawyer, and was of German descent. The former was reared as a farmer, and in early life became a miller, but at the age of thirty-two he began studying medicine, and was in the office of Dr. Simpson for three years. He then began practice in Eastern Tennessee, where he remained until 1858, when he went to Arkansas, and there engaged in practice and in merchandising until 1880. He still makes his home in that State. His wife, however, was called to the home beyond in April, 1880. They were the parents of nine children: Eliza, wife of Rev. O. R. Bryant; Monroe, who died in 1881; Benjamin F, a Baptist minister of Texas; Mary, who became the wife of Jasper P. Henry, and died in 1876; George, who died in 1882; Jefferson S., of this sketch ; Dr. John S. , a graduate of the Kentucky School of Medicine, and now engaged in practice in Missouri; Robert E., who died in 1863; and Melinda T., wife of James Arnold, a farmer of Arkansas.

Dr. Cannon of this sketch spent the first ten years of his life upon a farm, and then entered an academy at Wallaceburg, Ark., where he completed his literary education. He then embarked in school teaching, which profession he followed for about five years, when he began studying medicine under his father, and also clerked in a drug store. In 1881 he began practicing in Arkansas in connection with his father, with whom he remained until 1882, after which he spent his time in Hot Springs until 1891, when he went to Oklahoma, where he remained for about eighteen months. During that time he was graduated from the Memphis Hospital Medical College. He is also a graduate of the Bomont Hospital Medical College of St. Louis, Mo. In the spring of 1893 he came to Terre Haute, where he has since made his home. The Doctor was married September 25, 1871, to Miss Lula J. Wood (a descendent says this is Louisa J. Wood), and by their union have been born four children: Newton J., Emma L., Robert E. , and Willie Ola, who died November 28, 1886. The mother passed away August 27, 1886, and the Doctor was again married, June 28, 1889, his second union being with Miss Hattie A. Aldrich, of Blaudinsville, Ill.

Dr. Cannon is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen lodges. He also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the practice of his profession he has won good success, and though he has only resided in Terre Haute for a year, he has secured a liberal patronage, which is constantly increasing.