Robert C. Cannon

For other people named Robert Cannon, see Robert Cannon (disambiguation).

Robert C. Cannon (June 10, 1917 – October 22, 2008) was an American lawyer and judge. He served as presiding judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in the Milwaukee-based District I court. Earlier in his career, he was significantly involved in Major League Baseball, worked to bring the Milwaukee Brewers franchise to Milwaukee, and came within one vote of being elected Commissioner of Baseball.

The Honorable Robert C. Cannon
Presiding Judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals District I
In office August 1, 1978 – July 31, 1979
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	William R. Moser
Judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals District I
In office August 1, 1978 – August 1, 1981
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Rudolph T. Randa
Personal details
Born	(1917-06-10)June 10, 1917 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
Died	October 22, 2008(2008-10-22) (aged 91) Saint John's on the Lake, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
Resting place	Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Spouse	Helen E. Gildea ​ ​ (m. 1942; died 2004)​
Children	6
Parent	Raymond J. Cannon (father)
Profession	lawyer, judge

Biography

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Cannon was married and had six children. In 1941, he graduated from Marquette University Law School. His father was Raymond Cannon, who served in the United States House of Representatives. He died on October 22, 2008.^[1][2][3]

Baseball

Heavily involved in bringing the Seattle Pilots franchise (now the Milwaukee Brewers) to Milwaukee from Seattle, Washington. He came within one vote of being elected Commissioner of Major League Baseball.^[4] Later, he worked as Legal Counsel to the Major League Baseball Players Association for six years.^{[citation needed]}

Judicial career

Cannon was elected to the Milwaukee Civil Court in 1946. He joined the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in 1978, immediately becoming a Presiding Judge and remaining one until 1979. In 1981, he retired from full-time judicial duty but remained a reserve judge.^{[citation needed]}

In August 1968, Fr. James Groppi led a demonstration outside of Judge Cannon’s Wauwatosa home over his membership in the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, which restricted its membership to whites only. Robed Klansmen turned out in counter protest. Other residents held signs saying such things as “Keep Tosa White.” Cannon told the press, “I will remain in the Eagles as long as I live.”^[5]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Court of Appeals (1978)

Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District I Election, 1978^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
General Election, April 3, 1984
	Nonpartisan	Robert C. Cannon	56,817	100.0%
Total votes			56,817	100.0%

References

1. Silvers, Amy Rabideau (October 26, 2008). "Judge Cannon was tough but compassionate". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
2. "Honorable Robert C. Cannon". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-11-27.
3. Biographical Sketch of Robert C. Cannon
4. "Robert C. Cannon". Retrieved 2011-11-27.
5. Patrick D. Jones, The Selma of the North: Civil Rights Insurgency in Milwaukee (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2009), 109.
6. Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1979). "Elections in Wisconsin". The state of Wisconsin 1979-1980 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. p. 886. Retrieved September 14, 2020.

Legal offices
New court	Judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals District I August 1, 1978 – July 31, 1979	Succeeded by Rudolph T. Randa
	Presiding Judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals District I August 1, 1978 – August 1, 1981	Succeeded by William R. Moser