1899 Birth:979,930 Birth date of 30 September 1899 taken from 1969 death certificate and is supported by 1900 census enumeration in which Walter is listed as 8 months old, born in the month of September 1899. Birth place of Chicago assumed because parents George J. Cannady and Mary Ryder were married there in 1892 and resided there at the time of the 1900 census enumeration. There is no indication the family left the Chicago area.

1900 U.S. Census:930 Walter enumerated in the household of his father George J. Cannady at 5714 Lowe Street in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois as a son, white, male, Sept. 1899, 8 months, single, born in Illinois, father born in Indiana, mother born in Illinois. Also residing in the household were mother Mary Ryder and siblings Helen, George C., William, and Ruth.

1910 U.S. Census:949 Walter enumerated in the household of his father George J. Cannady at 722 Thirty Fifth Street in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois as a son, male, white, 10, single, born in Illinois, father born in Indiana, mother born in Illinois, can speak English, can read and write, attended school within the year. Also residing in the household were mother Mary Ryder and siblings Helen, Chester, William, Ruth, and George Jr. as well as maternal grandfather Andrew Ryder.

1920 U.S. Census:2631 Walter enumerated in the household of his brother-in-law Conrad Schellenberg at 417 South 89th Street in 31st Ward Chicago, Cook County, Illinois as a brother-in-law, male, white, 20, single, can read and write, born in Illinois, father born in Indiana, mother born in Ohio, mechanic at Empress Co., works for wages. Other household residents were Walter's sister Ruth Cannady Schellenberg and his brothers William, age 23, and George, age 12.

1930 U.S. Census:1363
Cook County, Illinois (Chicago, Ward 7)
Enumerated 11 April 1930
2506 E. 77th Street
Walter Canady •• head, rents home, $60 monthly rent, has radio set, married, white, 29, married, first married at age 23, can read and write, born in Illinois, father born in Illinois, mother born in Illinois, manager in grocery store, veteran of World War
Lillian •• wife, female, white, 30, married, first married at age 24, can read and write, born in Illinois, father born in Irish Free State, mother born in Irish Free State
Helena •• daughter, female, white, 6, single, can read and write, born in Illinois, father born in Illinois, mother born in Illinois

1930 Conservator Petition:1518 On 18 July 1930, Walter J. Cannady petitioned the Probate Court of Cook County, Illinois to be appointed conservator of the estate of Mary Cannady, who was described as "insane." At the time, her personal estate did not exceed $150.

1936 U.S. Social Security Application:1081 Walter John Cannady; residence, 1441-E 55 St., Chicago, Illinois; employment, Simons Grocery and Market, 2625 E. 75th Street; age, 37, born 9-30-99 in Chicago, Ill.; father, George Cannady; mother, Mary Rider; dated, 12/2/1936.

1969 Death Certificate:979 Walter J. Cannady; death date, April 28, 1969; male, white, age 69; born September 30, 1899; place of death, Cook County, Proviso Township, Veterans Administration Hospital, Hines, Illinois 60141; born in Illinois, U.S. citizen; widowed; occupation, laborer in general industry; World War I veteran; resided in Illinois, Cook County, Markham Township, 3361 West Rossener Drive; father, —— Cannady; mother, Mary Ryder; burial, Holy Sepulchre, Worth Township, Illinois, May 1, 1969.