Cantrell was born February 13, 1874, in
Smithville, Tennessee, though he has also been described as hailing from nearby Keltonburg, and joined the army from
Nashville, Tennessee in May 1898. He was sent to fight in the Spanish–American War with Company F, 10th U.S. Infantry as a private where he received the
Medal of Honor for his actions. He was discharged in May 1899 after one year of service. Cantrell died August 3, 1948, and is buried at Nashville National Cemetery in
Nashville, Tennessee. ==Medal of Honor citation==