Harry M. Cannon, one of the most extensive and successful fruit-growers of western Colorado, whose fine farm of forty-five acres, with about thirty-six in choice fruit trees, is a model of thrift, good management and skillful culture, was born at Madison, Jefferson county, Indiana, on March 20, 1865, and is the son of Thomas L. and Martha (Nichols) Cannon, the former a native of Aurora, Indiana, and the latter of Milton, Kentucky. The father is still living in his native state, and has been foreman of a planing mill there throughout his mature life. His wife died in 1865, when her son Harry was but two months old. They had a family of six children, all of whom are dead but Harry and one of his brothers. After the former left school he worked at cigar making for some time, then ran a dairy and farmed for eight years in Indiana. In September, 1901, he came to Colorado and settled in Mesa county. Here for a year he rented and in the autumn of 1902 he bought the place on which he lives. It comprised twenty acres, seventeen of which were in fruit trees in good bearing order. He at once set out more trees after making his purchase, and in 1903 bought twenty-five acres more land. He now has thirty-six acres in productive orchards, the trees ranging from six to fifteen years old, and expects during this year (1904) to plant five acres additional, mostly in peaches. In 1903 his crop of fruit brought over seven thousand dollars, it being sold to eastern men, with whom he always deals direct; and he already has a contract for the sale of his crop of 1905. The apples last year were nearly one hundred per cent fancies, a very good showing for this section. But he is a practical fruit-grower and equipped with every appliance that his observation and reading have indicated as necessary for the best results in his work. Among these is a two-and-a-half-horsepower gasoline engine for spraying. On May 28, 1888, he united in marriage with Miss Katie Pefferkorne, a native of Ohio, born on August 2, 1867, the daughter of Chriss [sic] and Helen (Bruner) Pefferkorne. Three children have blessed and brightened his household, Walter T., Harry F. and Ruth E., all of whom are living at home. Mr. Cannon always finds a ready market for his fruit as it is always first class and has a high reputation where it is known. He takes an earnest interest in the development of the county and every undertaking for the lasting good of its people. In politics he is a Republican.
Source: Bowen, A. W. Progressive Men of Western Colorado. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., Publishers. 1905.