Robert Jackson Canniff was born on September 18, 1894, in Marlboro, New York. During World War I, Canniff served with the sanitary corps from February 1918 to May 1919 when he was honorably discharged with the rank of second lieutenant. Following his discharge, Canniff joined the YMCA and oversaw the organization of welcome home ceremonies at Newport News, Virginia. Canniff died on March 5, 1968.