Blair County PA Archives Biographies.....Canan, John A. February 11, 1850 - 
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Source: Twentieth Century History of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and Representative Citizens, Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold, 1911
Author: Jesse C. Sell

JOHN A. CANAN, manager of the Canan-Knox Supply Company, extensive dealers in
builders' supplies, with business location at Nos. 1712-1720 Margaret Avenue,
Altoona, Pa., has long been a leading factor in the successful business life
of this city. He was born February 11, 1850, at Hollidaysburg, Blair County,
Pa., and is a son of John J. and Margaret (Davis) Canan.
     The great-grandfather, John Canan, who later served with rank of colonel
in the Patriot army, came to the American colonies from the north of Ireland
between 1760 and 1777, lived in Huntingdon County, Pa., and died in his
ninetieth year. He was a man of evident superiority, and distinguished
himself in military, business, judicial and public life. Of his family of
sons the one who inherited most notably his remarkable talents was Moses
Canan, the grandfather of John A. Canan, of Altoona.
     Major Moses Canan acquired his title through gallant service in the War
of 1812. He subsequently located at Ebensburg, in Cambria County, Pa., and
later became a leading member of the bar and served one term as associate
judge. He died at Johnstown, Pa., in 1863. He married Mary Henderson, who was
also of distinguished military ancestry; her father being Major William Henderson.
     John J. Canan, son of Major Moses Canan and father of John A., was born
in Huntingdon County, Pa., in 1813, and accompanied his parents to Ebensburg
in 1831. He was also a man of brilliant parts in many ways. In early manhood
he was concerned in newspaper work both at Ebensburg and at Johnstown, and
after leaving the latter city and locating at Hollidaysburg in 1846, became
identified with large business enterprises. From that year until 1858 his
main business was freight forwarding by way of the Pennsylvania Canal, and
this led later to his embarking in the lime business at Canan's Station. He
took his sons into partnership under the name of Canan Brothers, which style
continued until 1876, when it became John A. Canan & Co. For a number of
years this firm continued, the business being the handling of builders'
supplies and coal, and the manufacturing of lime.
     John A. Canan spent a large part of his early school period at
Hollidaysburg, and from 1869 until 1871 was a student at Lafayette College,
at Easton, Pa. After his return home he soon became associated with his
father in the lime and building supply business, from which has developed the
important enterprise of which he is the capable manager, the Canan-Knox Supply
Company, the officers of which are: John A. and L. M. Canan, both residing at.
No. 2701 Broad Avenue, and Samuel T. Knox, residing at No. 2626 Broad Avenue.
In his political views Mr. Canan is a Republican, and at times he has served
in civic offices with the greatest efficiency.
     Mr. Canan was married May 29, 1888, to Miss Lizzie M. Morrow, a daughter
of the late Rev. R. H. Morrow, once of McVeytown, but later pastor of the
Presbyterian church at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They have two daughters, Margaret
M. and Mary H. Mr. Canan and family belong to the Broad Avenue Presbyterian
church at Altoona, in which he is an elder.

Additional Comments:
Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by the Blair 
County Genealogical Society, 431 Scotch Valley Road, 
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648. Copied and proofread by Linda M. 
Shillinger LindasTree@aol.com  OCRed by Judy Banja 
jbanja@comcast.net

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