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Note: Various corporate interests profited by the business discernment and keen enterprise of William P. Cannon, who for many years figured prominently in the commercial circles of Danville. A nativeof Indiana, he was born in Morgan county on the 18th of September, 1841, and was a son of Dr. Horace F. Cannon, who was born and reared in North Carolina and removed to the Hoosier state in 1840. Hewas a physician by profession and was drowned in Sugar Creek while on his way to visit a patient. In the state of his nativity William P. Cannon passed the days of his boyhood and youth and receiveda good practical education in Earlham College of Indiana. He commenced the study of law with his brother, the Hon. Joseph G. Cannon, and in 1862 was admitted to the bar. Forming a partnership withhis brother, he then commenced practice at Tuscola, Illinois, but in 1865 turned his attention to the banking business, becoming a member of the Wyeth, Cannon & Company, which conducted a privatebank, he being the active manager until 1870. During that year he assisted in organizing the First National Bank of Tuscola and was made its president, retaining that office until 1873, when hebecame a resident of Danville and organized the Vermilion County Bank, of which he was elected president. The name of this bank was subsequently changed to the Second National Bank in 1881 andthroughout the remainder of his life he was identified with its operations. In 1864 Mr. Cannon was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Wamsley, of Indiana, a daughter of William Wamsley, and they became the parents of three children, namely: Orville W., who is mentionedbelow; Joseph G., Jr.; and Mrs. Gratz Helm. The wife and mother passed away in May, 1898, and Mr. Cannon was called to his final rest on the 3d of May, 1902. No man in the community took a greater pride in the development and upbuilding of this city or was more actively identified with its welfare. He erected what became known as Cannon's Row onWalnut street shortly after coming to Danville and laid out several additions to the city. In this way he did much for its improvement and upbuilding. In connection with others he started the firststreet car lines here and as they did not pay and ran behind he bought up the shares of the dissatisfied stockholders who wanted to dispose of their holdings, for he had faith in the enterprise andknew that some day it would prove a profitable venture. In his efforts to carry on the business he was supported by A. C. Daniel and F. W. Penwell and their faith was subsequently rewarded, for theyat length sold to the present company at a fine profit. In all that he did Mr. Cannon was actuated by a desire to assist in the material progress of his adopted city and his death Danville realizedthat it had lost a valued and honored citizen. In his political views he was a republican, but never took a very active part in politics aside from casting his vote. Orville W. Cannon, the elder son of our subject, was for many years interested with his father in the banking business, being for some twenty years connected with the Second National Bank, but heretired some time ago and has since given his attention to some extent to the automobile business. He is an ardent republican in politics and is actively interested in public affairs, being, likehis father, a public-spirited citizen, who takes a commendable interest in the welfare of the city. He was married in Rossville, Illinois, to Miss Elizabeth Tomlinson, and they have one child,William B.
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