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Subject: Bio of John A. Canning
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2005 15:02:36 EDT

A Narrative History
of
The People of Iowa
with
SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN
EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY,
BUSINESS, ETC.
by
EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M.
Curator of the
Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa
Volume IV
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc.
Chicago and New York
1931

JOHN A. CANNING, who was born and reared in Monroe County, has been known by
the people of that county for a quarter of a century as a banker at Albia,
where he is president of the People's National Bank.

Mr. Canning was born in Monroe County September 20, 1874, son of Edward A.
and Jane E. (Thompson) Canning. His parents were born in Ireland, and both
were of the sturdy pioneer characteristics that meant so much to the
institutions and the fabric of society of early Iowa. The mother died in 1918 and the
father in 1916. Edward A. Canning came to the United States when a child
with his mother and two sisters, in April, 1851. They first lived in
Pennsylvania, but in November of the same year came to Iowa and settled in Monroe
County, which was then well out toward the western frontier. He grew up under
frontier conditions, and when the Civil war came entered the Union army and was
promoted to first lieutenant of Company E of the Sixth Iowa Infantry. After
the war he was a hard working and prosperous farmer. At one time he enjoyed
the distinction of being the best speller in his community. Once a Methodist
clergyman challenged him to a a spelling contest. The minister had
previously won a match, in which he was awarded a book for the prize, and this book he
offered as a prize to Edward A. Canning should he be successful. A match
was arranged, attracted a large crowd, and Edward A. Canning finally spelled
down the Methodist minister and was awarded the prize. The director of the
contest and the man who called out the words was former Gov. Nathan E. Kendall,
one of Albia's most highly distinguished citizens.
John A. Canning was educated in country schools and continued his education
in Penn College at Oskaloosa, and later in Tarkio College, a United
Presbyterian Church school in Missouri. He and his family are members of the
Presbyterian Church at Albia. From early youth his ambition was to follow a career
as a banker. His first important experience and training in finance came
while he was employed by a large Omaha real estate, abstract and bond house.

Mr. Canning in 1905 returned to Albia and in 1912 was made cashier of the
People's National Bank. Since 1923 he has been president of that solid and
conservative institution.
Along with a successful career as a banker has gone a constant willingness
and effort in civic affairs. For several years he was a member of the city
school board, and is now active in the Albia Rotary Club. Among other
interests, Mr. Canning owns two fine stock and grain farms north of Albia.

Mr. Canning married, October 13, 1904, Miss Henrietta H. Dinsmore, of
Kirkville, Iowa, daughter of Dr. David C. and Cyrilla J. (Andrew) Dinsmore. Her
father was a Union soldier for three years, being a captain in the First Iowa
Cavalry, and was a pioneer doctor who practiced over an extensive territory.
Doctor Dinsmore died November 9, 1921, at the age of ninety0one, and his wife
passed away at Kirkville in June, 1921. Mrs. Canning has long been prominent
in educational and social affairs at Albia. She is a past president of
Chapter H. P. E. O., is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and
for twenty-seven years belonged to General De Lafayette Chapter of Indiana,
but has recently transferred her membership to the Albia organization. She is
president of the Albia Woman's Club and a member of the board of trustees of
the Albia Public Library.

Mr. and Mrs. Canning have one son, John A., Jr., born August 20, 1910. He
was a member of the class of 1931 at Grinnell College, where he majored in
journalism. Mr. Canning was managing editor of the Grinnell Scarlet and Black,
student newspaper, president of the Iowa College Press Association, and an
active participant in several organizations on the Grinnell campus. He also was
a student at Culver Military Academy and the University of Iowa.



Debbie Clough Gerischer
gerischer.rootsweb.com/

Iowa History Site
iagenweb.org/history/index.htm

Scott County
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