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Born in Salt Lake City, Frank Jenne Cannon (1859-1933) was the eldest child of Sarah Jenne Cannon and George Q. Cannon. Later that year, George Q. Cannon was appointed an Apostle in the LDS Church, and in his later life he became a member of the First Presidency. At age 19, Frank Cannon graduated from the University of Deseret with a diploma in journalism. He married Martha A. Brown in 1878 and moved to Ogden. There he pursued a career in journalism, which also took him to San Francisco in 1881 as editor of The Chronicle. However, poor business decisions, heavy drinking, and poor personal choices plagued Cannon and his family throughout the 1880s.
Cannon turned to politics, helping to organize the Utah Republican Party in 1891 and serving as a delegate from Utah Territory from March 4, 1895 to January 4, 1896. After statehood, the Utah State Legislature chose Cannon as one of its first U.S. senators. Cannon’s political career seemed promising until he alienated LDS Church leadership and Utah’s sugar industry by voting against a tariff on imported sugar (Dingley Act). Furthermore, his long-time struggles with alcoholism and rumors of sexual scandal plagued Cannon. These issues, combined with his advocacy for Free Silver, contributed to Cannon’s political downfall. Cannon lost his bid for reelection and left office March 4, 1899. The following year Cannon affiliated with the Democratic Party, and served as its chairman from 1902 to 1904.
Disaffected with the LDS Church, Cannon returned to his career in journalism, becoming an outspoken opponent of Mormonism. He worked as editor of the
The collection includes materials collected by Cannon regarding his speaking engagements, an anti-polygamy pamphlet, a promotional pamphlet for the play "Polygamy", materials from Cannon's service in the Senate. And materials related to the Pennsylvania Railway System.
The Frank J. Cannon Papers, circa 1870-1925, Utah State Historical Society.
Donated by Patricia T. Scheuer, 2016.
The collection is open to public research.
The collection is accessible in the Research Center for Utah State History.
The Frank J. Cannon Papers, circa 1870-1925, is the physical property of the Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah. Literary rights, including copyright, may belong to the authors or their heirs and assigns. Please contact the Historical Society for information regarding specific use of this collection.
A photograph of Frank J. Cannon with his family has been separated and cataloged as Mss C 1978.
The leather portfolio is located in the artifacts collection.