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SOURCE: Portrait and Biographical Album of Mecost County, MI
        Chicago, Chapman Bros., 1882

   271-272

        EDWIN CANNON, manufacturer at Big Rapids, is a native of England,
     and a son of CHARLES and NANCY (MATTHEWS) CANNON.  He was born in
     Buckinghamshire, Nov. 17, 1837.  His father came to the United States
     in 1847, accompanied by his two sons, GEORGE and EDWIN, the latter a
     lad of ten years.  They went to Lenawee Co., Mich., where two years
     later, Mr. CANNON (Sr.) bought 80 acres of land in a wild state.  The
     wife and mother joined her family in Blissfield Tp., about this time,
     bringing with her the remaining children, JANE and JAMES.  They
     experienced all the inconveniences of first settlers, but appreciative
     of their privileges under a popular government, went heartily to work
     to secure all the benefits accruing to them from independent citizen-
     ship.  Their log cabin was humble and deficient in modern appliances,
     but it was their own, and the privations of that period are less in
     their memories than its charms and freedom.  Mrs. NANCY CANNON died in
     1879.  At 19, Mr. CANNON went to Blissfield, Lenawee Co., to learn
     wagon-making, where he worked two years, and then engaged in agri-
     culture four years.  In 1862, in company with MARK CANNON, a cousin,
     he bought a steam saw-mill, which they managed together about five
     years.  The enterprise prospered and Mr. CANNON sold his moiety to his
     partner and proceeded to establish a new mill in the vicinity.  Six
     months after its completion, he formed a partnership with JAMES
     TIBBALS, and removed the mill and fixtures to Hastings, Barry Co.,
     Mich.  This was about the year 1869, and the mill was utilized in
     sawing ties for the Grand River Valley R. R., then in process of
     construction.  Afterward the mill did custom work at Hastings until
     1871, when a second transfer was made to BYERS, of this county, and
     the power devoted to the same line of business In the winter of 1873
     the firm took a contract to saw lumber for CHARLES BARSTOW, at
     Hungerford, and the mill was again removed.  Mr. CANNON bought the
     interests of Mr. TIBBALS in the summer of 1876, and Aug. 1, 1881, the
     mill was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $6,000.  He came to
     Big Rapids soon after, and in partnership with GEO. M. GOTSHALL became
     proprietor by purchase of the manufacturing establishment of F.
     FAIRMAN, and has since been engaged in constructing edgers, tram-cars,
     engines, and mill machinery generally.  The annual transactions reach
     an aggregate vale of $90,000.

        Mr. CANNON owns a half interest in 600 acres of land in Hungerford
     besides his residence, and eight city lots on S. State street at the
     west end of Oak street.  He was married at Mattawan, Van  Buren Co.,
     Mich., April 20, 1872, to LEAVANA, daughter of LEVI BUTLER, a farmer
     and carpenter of Mattawan, who was born Nov. 21, 1845.  Mr. CANNON is
     a member of the Order of Masonry.


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