George M. Cannon
(1861-1937)
Dublin Core
Person Item Type Metadata
District
6th District Senator
Political Party
Republican
Latter-day Saint
Yes
Age at Election
33
Birth Date
December 25, 1861
Birthplace
St. George, Washington, Utah Territory, United States
Death Date
January 23, 1937
Spouse(s)
Marian Adelaide Morris (1861-1933) Married December 25, 1884
Pricilla Jane Walker (1854-) Married July 20, 1893
Kate Alice Reamer (1864-) Married June 25, 1896
Ellen Christina Steffensen (1877-1963) Married June 17, 1901
Katherine Vaughn Morris (1876-1930) Married August 7, 1901
Pricilla Jane Walker (1854-) Married July 20, 1893
Kate Alice Reamer (1864-) Married June 25, 1896
Ellen Christina Steffensen (1877-1963) Married June 17, 1901
Katherine Vaughn Morris (1876-1930) Married August 7, 1901
Occupation
Banking and Real Estate
Biographical Text
George Mousley Cannon began working for a coal company at twelve years old, where he was responsible for keeping financial accounts. He graduated from the University of Deseret in 1881 after which, he spent time as a surveyor for the Union Pacific and taught school. Cannon moved into banking and real estate. He was active in national party politics before many Utahns aligned with national parties and served as chair of the Territorial Republican Committee. In 1895, Cannon served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, where he was a prominent member, involved in key decisions. A supporter of women’s rights, Cannon was instrumental in the hiring of Henrietta Clark and B.T. MacMasters as Convention clerks.
As a senator, he “was chosen president of the senate as the unanimous choice” (Drumm 1896, 91). Cannon continued to support women’s rights during his time as a senator. Following the end of the first session, Cannon returned to real estate and banking. The following session, Cannon watched as his father, Angus M. Cannon, competed for a senatorial seat against one of his wives, Martha Hughes Cannon. The latter won, becoming the first female senator in the United States. When not working, Cannon spent time with his family, reading, occasionally writing, and engaging in horticulture. He died in 1937 from heart disease.
As a senator, he “was chosen president of the senate as the unanimous choice” (Drumm 1896, 91). Cannon continued to support women’s rights during his time as a senator. Following the end of the first session, Cannon returned to real estate and banking. The following session, Cannon watched as his father, Angus M. Cannon, competed for a senatorial seat against one of his wives, Martha Hughes Cannon. The latter won, becoming the first female senator in the United States. When not working, Cannon spent time with his family, reading, occasionally writing, and engaging in horticulture. He died in 1937 from heart disease.
Bibliography
Drumm, Mark. "The Bee Hive State." Drumm's Manual of Utah, and Souvenir of the First State Legislature, 1896. Hathi Trust Digital Library. Salt Lake City, Utah: M. Drumm, 1896. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/hvd.hx4jb7.
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KWCQ-FR4
Image of George M. Cannon by courtesy of HathiTrust Cropped from page 34 of Drumm, Mark. "The Bee Hive State." Drumm's Manual of Utah, and Souvenir of the First State Legislature, 1896. Hathi Trust Digital Library. Salt Lake City, Utah: M. Drumm, 1896. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/hvd.hx4jb7?urlappend=%3Bseq=42
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KWCQ-FR4
Image of George M. Cannon by courtesy of HathiTrust Cropped from page 34 of Drumm, Mark. "The Bee Hive State." Drumm's Manual of Utah, and Souvenir of the First State Legislature, 1896. Hathi Trust Digital Library. Salt Lake City, Utah: M. Drumm, 1896. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/hvd.hx4jb7?urlappend=%3Bseq=42
Collection
Citation
“George M. Cannon
(1861-1937),” Utah State History Digital Exhibits, accessed April 27, 2024, https://utahstatehistory.omeka.net/items/show/216.
(1861-1937),” Utah State History Digital Exhibits, accessed April 27, 2024, https://utahstatehistory.omeka.net/items/show/216.