----- Original Message -----
From: "Zach Karen" <zachk(a)tr.k12.in.us>
To: "karen Zach" <karen.zach(a)sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 1:05 PM
Subject: SHANNON bio Ft Co
History of Allen and Woodson Co KS. Iola, KS: Iola Register, 1901 -
p.
263 -
-Thomas B. SHANNON - one of the enterprising merchant of Iola,
successfully conducting an extensive hardware establishment is TB
Shannon, who since 1897 has been a well known factor in commercial
circles in this city. He was born in Attica, Indiana, Jan 28, 1871, and
is a son
of GW Shannon, whose birth occurred in Virginia, May 31, 1835. The
grandfather, Thomas Shannon, was also a native of the Old Dominion, born
at Sharon Springs, Blanc County march 20, 1817 and in that state the
father
of our subject resided until 1865, making his home upon a farm. He then
removed to Fountain County, Indiana, where he again followed farmining
until the Spring of 1871, when he came to KS, settling in Woodson County
on the present townwite of Vernon. In 1873 he removed to Neosho Falls
where he learned the tinner's trade under the direction of ex-Gov Finney.
In
1880 he engaged in the hardware business in Toronto, KS where he
remained 10 years and in the fall of 1890 he became a resident of
Anacortes, Washington where he is now successfully conducting a
hardware business. He was married in Wythe Co VA to Miss Callie Brown,
who was born in Whythe Co VA Oct 7, 1831, a daughter of Josiah Brown
also a native of VA. She died in Neoshoo Falls, KS Aug 26, 1874, leaving
two children namely: TB of this review and GD who is connected in business
with his father in Anacortes. The subject of this sketch is indebted to
the
public school system for his educational privileges, and in his youth he
became familiar with the hardware trade in his father's store. At the age
of
19 he entered upon an independent business career in Blaine, Washington,
as a dealer in hardware, since which time he has been connected with that
line of commerce. In the Spring of 1897 he disposed of his store in
Blaine
and came to Iola, where he entered into partnership with Fran M. Horville
under the firm name of Shannon & Horville. This connection was
maintained until Sept 1898, when Mr. Shannon purchased his partner's
interest and has since carried on business alone. During the summer of
1900 he remodeled and added to his store building and now occupies both
floors and an 80 foot basement with his large stock of shelf and heavy
hardware. He carries everything found in a 1st clas establishment of the
kind, and in the rear of the store he has a tin and plumbing shop, doing
all
kinds of work in those trades. He deals in buggies, wagsons and farming
implements in addition to hardware, stove and ranges, tinware, paints and
oils, guns and cutlery, and his patronage is constantly increasing. On
the
30th of November 1892 Mr. Shannon married Miss Lulu Brewer, of
Greenwood Co, KS. She was born in Colorado, Jan 8, 1873, a daughter of
EJ Brewer native of Mass. Their only child died Oct 25, 1894 and the
mother passed away on 12 Dec following. On the 1st of Feb 1899, Mr.
Shannon again married, his second union being Miss Agnes Mitchell who
was born in Franklin Co KS Feb 12, 1872 daughter of David H. Mitchell, a
native of MO. Their home is now blessed with the presence of a little
daughter, Winifred, born July 31, 1900. Mr. Shannon is connected with the
Knights of Pythias fraternity and BP O Elks and he and his wife are well
known and highly respected residents of Iola, the hospitality of many of
its
best homes being freely extended to them.
Karen Zach, English