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Christopher Columbus Cannon From "History of Central Oregon," published 1906
Biographical Sketches of Lake County, pgs. 912-913 Christopher Columbus Cannon is certainly to be classed with the leading pioneers and substantial citizens of Lake county. He now resides at New Pine Creek where he has a fine estate and does general farming and stock rasing. He was born on February 12, 1842, in Holt county, Missouri, the son of George W. and Mary A. Cannon. The father died in the Goose Lake valley aged eighty-three and the mother died here at the age of eighty. They have been members of the Methodist church for over sixty years. In 1853, the family came across the plains with ox teams the father being captain of the train. On the 30th day of May in that year, they crossed the Missouri river and on October 26th of the same year they landed on Salt creek in Polk county, Oregon, where Mrs. Cannon's father, William Robinson, was living. He had came across the plains in 1847. In 1854, Mr. Cannon removed to the Umpqua valley and there built a mill which was burned down during the Rogue River war. In 1861, our subject began prospecting in the promising fields of western Oregon, Idaho and Washington and was well acquainted with all the leading camps. Then he returned to Lane county whither his parents had come and in 1869 he came to Goose Lake valley, locating at the mouth of Lassen creek. He built his cabin on June 14, 1869 and is supposed to be the only man now living here that helped to celebrate the 4th of July in that year. In 1871, the parents came and remained here until their death. Our subject hired to a Mr. Snyder to operate a sawmill and for seven years labored in that capacity, receiving as "wages" one hundred dollars per month. Then he engaged in farming and stock raising and several years ago sold his ranch in Lassen creek. He now has about three hundred acres of fine land adjoining the town of New Pine Creek, part of which is located on his land. His farm is all under cultivation, has three fine dwellings and three good barns, besides many other improvements and is one of the valuable estates of the county. In 1887, Mr. Cannon married Miss Blanche Follette, the daughter of Captain E. and Christina Follette. They formerly came from Iowa, to California and then settled in this country, being now residents of New Pine Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Cannon have one child, Olive Blance. Mr. Cannon and his wife and daughter are all members of the Methodist church and are highly respected people. As early as fifteen years of age, our subject started out for himself and has made his entire holding by reason of his industry and thrift. He had the privilege of assisting to care for his parents in their declining years and was very faithful in all his duties. It is very interesting to know that when Mr. Cannon first came here, he was considerable of a nimrod and had great experiences in slaying elk, deer, bear, cougar and so forth. He has met and slaughtered many of the genuine grizzly and has had some very narrow escapes. On one occasion, he was very nearly killed by a cougar but he always managed to find a way out and generally brought trophies of slaughtered game. |