Abraham H. Cannon
1859–1896 (37 years)
Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Biography
Abraham H. Cannon was an apostle from 1889 until his death in 1896 at age 37. The son of George Q. Cannon (First Presidency counselor), he was born into Mormon leadership.
Cannon practiced polygamy, having three wives. His final marriage in 1896 to Lillian Hamlin was controversial as it occurred after the 1890 Manifesto officially ending new plural marriages. He secretly married her in international waters off the California coast to circumvent anti-polygamy laws, showing that some church leaders continued the practice covertly.
He died shortly after this marriage, officially of an ear infection that spread to his brain. His death at such a young age prevented fuller development of his leadership. His plural marriage after the Manifesto became evidence that the church did not immediately cease the practice.
Served Under
Church presidents during this leader's apostolic service:
Wives (6)
Abraham H. Cannon was a polygamist with 6 marriages. 1 of these wives were teenagers at the time of marriage.
Marriage Age Comparison
6 wives · Ages at marriage
| # | Name | Marriage Date | Her Age | His Age | Age Diff | Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sarah Ann Jenkins | Oct 16, 1878 | 18 | 19 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | Ann Mousley Cannon ⚠ | Oct 15, 1879 | 15 | 20 | 5 | 2 |
| 3 | Amelia Minerva Young | Apr 5, 1883 | 18 | 24 | 6 | 2 |
| 4 | Wilhelmina Mouritsen | Apr 5, 1883 | 18 | 24 | 6 | 2 |
| 5 | Mary Barzana Edwards Croxall | Apr 16, 1894 | 26 | 35 | 9 | 1 |
| 6 | Lillian Hamlin | Jun 17, 1896 | 25 | 37 | 12 | 0 |
Children (10)
With Sarah Ann Jenkins (3 children)
- George J. Cannon (b. Jan 1, 1879)
- Abraham H. Cannon Jr. (b. Mar 12, 1881)
- Elizabeth Hoagland Cannon (b. Sep 22, 1883)