Abraham Hoagland Cannon (also reported as Abram H. Cannon) (March 12, 1859 – July 19, 1896) was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Personal history

Cannon was born in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory. His parents were George Q. Cannon, a Latter Day Saints apostle, and Elizabeth Hoagland, daughter of Abraham Hoagland. Cannon studied at Deseret University. Later, he studied architecture under Obed Taylor.

Marriages

Cannon married Sarah A. Jenkins on October 16, 1878. Cannon practiced plural marriage. He married his second wife, Wilhelmina Mousley, on October 15, 1879. On March 17, 1886, Cannon was convicted under the Edmunds Act of unlawful cohabitation and sentenced to six months' imprisonment and a fine of $300. Despite this conviction, Cannon married his third and fourth wives—Mary E. C. Young on January 11, 1887, and Lilian Hamlin on June 17, 1896. Cannon was pardoned in 1894 by U.S. President Grover Cleveland.

Publisher

In 1882, at the age of 23, Cannon assumed business control of the Juvenile Instructor and associated publications. He continued his management until his death. In October 1892, Cannon and his brother John Q. Cannon took control of the Deseret News publishing. He also became the editor and publisher of The Contributor.

LDS Church service

On October 9, 1882, Cannon became a member of the First Seven Presidents of the Seventy of the church. On October 7, 1889, church president Wilford Woodruff named Cannon a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was ordained an apostle on that date by Joseph F. Smith. Cannon served in this capacity until his death.

Death

Early in the summer of 1896, Cannon visited California, where he presumably visited the ocean, swam in it, and got ocean water trapped within his ear. This led to an ear infection, and by mid-July Cannon was seriously ill. He underwent at least one surgery to relieve pressure and drain the infection, but the illness continued. Cannon died on July 19 at the age of 37 in Salt Lake City.

Works