History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 67

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728

USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 67
USA > Ohio > Belmont County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 67

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

BIOGRAPHICAL.

HON. WILSON SHANNON.

BY R. H. TANEYHILL.

The Shannon family, of which Hon. Wilson Shannon was a a member, is the most distinguished one that has yet lived in the bounds of Belmont county. The ancestry of the family were na- tives of Ireland, as the name indicates. They in all probability lived on its western shore or dwelt along the banks of the largest river where waters flow through " the green island of the sea." The first known aneestor and the immediate progenitor of that family was an Irish merchant, who, about the middle of the last century bid farewell to his native land to go and seek a home and better his fortunes in the wilds of America. He sailed from Ireland for this country, with his wife and his little son George, about the year 1760. His wife dying on the passage was buried in the ocean, and he and his little boy after a long and stormy voyage landed at Wilmington, Delaware. In a short time busi- ness demanded his return to Ireland. So leaving little George with an Episcopalian clergyman of Wilmington he set sail for his father-land, but was lost at sea.

The little boy had fallen among friends and his orphanage ex- cited their highest generosity towards him. He was reared and educated by them as if he had been one of their own children. But as he grew to manhood, stimulated by that restless west- ward tending spirit so characteristic of our people, he left Wil- mington and pushed out into the wilds of Pennsylvania. He settled in Bedford county, that state, and in the year 1783 mar- ried Miss Jane Milligan, a farmer's daughter. Immediately af- ter his marriage he crossed the mountains and settled near the town of Claysville, Washington county, Pa., upon lands now known as the Porter farm, but then were called Waller's fort, as a block-house had been erected thereon by the first settlers. Here were born unto him five sons and one daughter in the or- der named, to-wit : George, Thomas, John, Naney, James and David. In the spring of 1796 he moved to Ohio county, Va., about four miles from Wheeling. Here were born two other children, a boy and a girl, in the order named, to-wit: Lavina and Arthur. In the spring of 1800 he moved into Belmont county and settled in what is now Kirkwood township, on the lands now known as the James Deal farm. In the spring of 1801 he moved into what is now Warren township and located on a piece of government lands, which was entered by Thomas Moore, of Loudon county, Va., in the following summer. It was the S. E. quarter of section 12, survey of 1785. After Mr. Moore entered those lands he rented them to Mr. Shannon for a term of years. Mr. Shannon before locating on the lands had put up a cabin and cleared some ground. Having leased the lands he proceeded to make other permanent improvements. The cabin ereeted by him stood almost precisely where Mr. Jones now re- sides, a few hundred yards northwest of the town of Mt. Olivet, on the old Boden road from Barnesville to the national turnpike. The farm from the time Mr. Moore entered the lands to this day has been known by the name of the Moore farm. At this cabin on the 24th day of February, A. D. 1802, Wilson Shannon was born-the first born child of Warren township.

In January, 1803, Mr. George Shannon went out hunting early one morning. Late in the afternoon a heavy snow storm began to rage and as he was making homeward through the storm and the woods he became bewildered, and after wandering about in a circle that constantly lessened as he walked and night com- ing on he made several unsuccessful efforts to kindlo a fire. Faiilng to ignite the tow, and overpowered by exhaustion, he seated himself against the foot of a large sugar tree and in the morning was found frozen to death. His death occurred on lands now owned by Wm. Tabbert, Sr., a short distance east of the town of Mt. Olivet. He was buried in the "Township Bu- rial ground" at southwest corner of section teu, and he was the first person ever buried in it.

At the death of W. Shannon the charge, care and support of the family, nine persons in number, fell ou Thomas the oldest son then at home, and well and faithfully did he peform the duty imposed upon him. Although only in his sixteenth year, he pushed on the operations for tho farm and performed much labor

for the neighbors and new-comers, and he and his little brothers made a good living for the family and added money to that which had been left by the father.

George, the oldest son, who was of an adventurous and roving nature, towards the end of 1802, lett home to make a living for himself. He made several trips up and down the Ohio, and near the close of 1803 he joined the Lewis and Clark expedition, then camped for the winter on what was then called Wood river in the state of Illinois, nearly opposite St. Louis, Missouri. As a member of that expedition he was private secretary of Lewis & Clark and one of its most courageous characters, and did much to keep up the spirits of the men to encounter the hardships and perils of its journeyings. As she expedition was returning it quarted for the winter with the Mandan Indians on the upper Mississippi. During its stay, Capt. Merriweather Lewis pur- suaded a chief and his family to go with them to Washington City to see the "Great Father," promising the chief that he would see him safe back to his people. Having seen the President, Capt. Lewis true to his promise, obtained of the President some soldiers and a commission to George Shannon as an eseort to the old chief and family to their home. When Capt. Shannon with his soldiers and charge approached the country of the Mandan tribe he found that the Rickarees and they were at war against each other. One day Shannon's escort encountered a gang of Rickaree warriors. The Rickarees at once began a plot to capture and massacre the escort and the chief and his family. They proffered Capt. Shannon a grand treat. The boats were moored and securely tied to trees, and the escort was about to go on shore when fortunately a Mandan squaw, a captive with the Rickarees, suddenly leaped on board of one of the boats. That disconcerted the whole plot. The warriors rushed towards the boats, the ropes were cut and the boats pushed outinto the river. Capt. Shannon, observing a warrior closer than he should be, shot him dead. That brought on a general fight, in which Shannon had the bone of one of his legs fractured. The escort with the boats escaped without the loss of a man, but Shannon being wounded the expedition was forced to return to St. Louis, which place they reached in safety. Capt. Shannon here had his leg properly dressed, and had he taken the care of himself that he should, the limb would have been saved, but he ventured to walk upon it before it was entirely well, and broke off the bone afresh, and to save his life the leg was amputated, The eseort disbanded and the Mandan chief and his family had to re- main at St. Louis nearly a year, when they were escorted safely home by one Capt. Williams, an old trapper.

So soon as George Shannon was able to make the journey he went to the city of New York, and for a year or so assisted in the publication ofan account of the Lewis and Clark expedition. After the publication of the account he returned to the west and located at Lexington, Kentucky. He here taught school and completed his education ; then studied law and entered upon its practice at that place. In a few years he was elected a cir- cuit judge and served a term of three years in that office. In 1828, he removed to the state of Missouri. He was there sent to the State Senate, was appointed United States District Attorney by President Jackson, and was a candidate for the United States Senate against Thomas H. Benton at his second re-election. This opposition to Mr. Benton arose out of a party feud, as Mr. Shannon was always a firm Democrat in politics. In August, 1836, while he was attending to some real estate business near Palmyra, Missouri, he was taken ill with a cramp colic, which all remedies proved powerless to relieve, and he died in a few days.

In a year or two after the death of the father, John, the third son, who had always had the best constitution of any of the family, developed into rugged manhood, and, having an eye for business, shrewd and judicial, he advised the purchase of eighty acres of land some little improved, and offered for sale by the owner, Mr. John Dougherty. His advice was followed, and the lands bought in the name of the mother. Those lands lie about two miles west of where the family then lived, and are now owned and occupied by Alexander Ogg, southwest quarter of sec- tion 23. The family removed to those lands in the spring of 1806.

While the family still resided on the Moore farm an accident occurred to Wilson that marked him for life. He and his brother Arthur were playing about the wood pile, and by a chance blow of tho axe Arthur cut off the little and next finger ot the right hand of Wilson. This disfigurement of the hand led to quite an amusing incident. While Wilson was state attorney of Bel- mont county, a large crowd of witnesses appeared at court from the then rough hills of Captina creek. Of course this crowd

I-24-B, & J, Cos.

188

HISTORY OFY BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

had their leading man, up to whom all the others looked. As a sample of how they should bemean themselves in the presence of the dignitaries of the county seat and imposing gravity of the high Court of Common Pleas, this leader, not exactly posted himself, called upon their friend Wilson for directions how they should act when called on to be sworn. Wilson, always kind and amiable, gave them full directions, and, to insure success, told him to do just as he did. The roll being called, the crowd pressed to their places and were ready to be sworn. The leader kept his eye on Wilson, and the crowd on their leader. "Hold up your right hands," exclaimed the clerk. Up went Wilson's right hand, the leader's, then the rest. The leader, seeing only two of Wilson's fingers up, closed down his little finger and the next, and so did his fellows, and the oath was given amid the titter of the bystanders and the smile of the judges.

While the family resided on the Moore farm little Arthur died and was buried by the side of his father in the township burial ground.

After the family had removed to its new home Thomas and John put their judgments, energies and labors together, and, wielding their own and their brother's muscles skillfully, soon began to lay up money. They carried on the affairs of the home farm so as to reap ample reward, and in the winter and spring devoted whatever of spare time they had to clearing lands for others. The price then for clearing an acre of land was from five to ten dollars, and they often made fifty to a hun- dred dollars a season at that labor. By the year 1812 the fam- ily had accumulated money enough, which when joined to the proceeds of the mother's lands that had been sold to Mr. Robert Ogg, to enter the lands that formed the homestead farm of Mr. John Shannon, being the southeast quarter of section 30 and the southwest quarter of section 18, and now making a part of the farm of Mr. Joseph Kenner. The first of these tracts was entered in the name of John and the latter in the name of Thomas Shannon-John, as the difference between the tracts, engaging to support his mother during her entire life.

The war of 1812 coming on, John, at the first draft, was drafted for a period of six months and served out his time in Capt. Joseph Kirkwood's company, and James became a re- cruiting officer in the service of the state. Thomas was drafted at the second draft, and was elected captain of the Belmont county company, and served out his time in Colonel DeLong's regiment. At the close of the war Thomas took up the trade of carpenter and followed that business for several years. John returned to his farm, and David, James and Wilson with him. And so the family remained for a year or two, when David and James removed to Lexington, Ky., to close out their education with George. Having completed his education David went to Florida, where he became private secretary to General Jackson, and during a temporary absence of the General discharged the duties of territorial governor. Shortly after this he died.

James studied law with George, was admitted to the bar and soon became a leading and prominent lawyer at Lexington, Ky. He married a daughter of ex-Governor Shelby. In 1832 he was appointed by President Jackson Charge d' Affaires to the Federa- tion of Central America. He reached his post, but had scarcely entered on the discharge of the duties of the office, when he fell a victim to that scourge of the South, the yellow fever.

In the year 1820, by the united efforts of Thomas and John, Wilson Shannon was sent to the Ohio University, at Athens, Ohio, to finish his education. He remained there two years when he was placed by his brother George at Transylvania University, Kentucky. Without graduating he began the study of the law with George, but in a short time returned to St. Clairs- ville and finished his course with Charles Hammond and David Jennings. Having been admitted to the bar he and the now venerable and learned Judge Kennon, Sr., formed a law part- nership for the practice of the law, which continued for several years. Mr. Shannon soon became a leading member of that able bar and held that rank until he left St. Clairsville permanently.

In 1832 he ran for Congress on the Democratic ticket, in op- position to that celebrated jurist, James M. Bell, of Cambridge, the Whig candidate, and was defeated by a majority of thirty- seven. However in his native county he beat Mr. Bell 298 votes.

The General Assembly of 1832 having made the office of State's Attorney an elective one, Mr. Shannon in 1833 run for that of- fice and was elected by a majority of 1,265 votes over his oppo- nent, Mr. William McMahon, the Whig candidate,

In 1838 Mr. Shannon was put in nomination by the Demo- crats for Governor of the state. The currency of the state had

become so worthless, its banks so corrupt and its finances, as a consequence, so debased, that the people began to demand that proper legislation be had to remove that pecuniary debauchery. Mr, Shannon offered them as a panacea for those monetary ills, "bank reform" and that swept the state like a cyclone. He was triumphantly elect- ed by a majority of 5,738 votes over the Whig candidate, Hon. Joseph Vance, and so became the first native born govern- or of Ohio. In 1840 he was again a candidate, but opposition to the Whigs that year was fruitless and he was beaten by Mr. Corwin by the unprecedented majority of 16,130 votes. In 1842 Mr. Shannon was again nominated by the Democrats for gov- ernor and the people believing that some how through the bank- ing ideas of Mr. Shaunon a sound monetary policy would come, re-elected him by a majority of 3,893 votes over Mr. Corwin. The people were not mistaken, for in a few years the Ohio state bank system of banking was created by the General Assembly and was the best ever devised by any state in the American Union, and the germinal idea of that system was the intellect- ual product of Gov. Shannon.

At the election of 1842 the Democrats secured a large majority of the legislature on joint ballot. There were many opponents to the re-election of Hon. William Allen, to the U. S. Senate and they determined to defeat him in caucus if possible. To attain that end they prevailed upon Governor Shannon to be the op- posing candidate, but he was defeated in the caucus by a major- ity of one vote. Mr. Shannon refused to use his personal influ- ence to secure his election and therefore took no part in the con- test personally. If he had gone into the arena with his magical personal powers there is not a doubt but that he would have defeated Senator Allen. Mr. Shannon and Senator Allen were personal and political friends and the struggle for the Senator- ship did not in the least disturb the strength or sincerity of that friendship and it continued steadfast and true while they both lived.

On the 13th day of April, 1844, Governor Shannon resigned the office of Governor to accept the position of Minister to Mex- ico, to which court he had been accredited by President Tyler by commission signed on the 9th of April, 1844. He continued at the Court of Mexico until the 14th of May, 1845, when diplo- matic intercourse was suspended with that Republic, and he demanded his passports. He returned to St. Clairsville, but soon after he moved to Cincinnati, where he remained about six months, and then moved back to St. Clairsville.

During the gold excitement of 1849 Mr. Shannon formed a company of twenty-five men, and, at his own expense, took them to California with the intention of mining for gold. The expedition was a failure. The company disbanded, and Mr. Shannon released every man from his obligation to him. He then located at San Francisco and engaged in the practice of his profession, In about two years he returned to his family at St. Clairsville.

In 1852 Mr. Shannon was elected by the Democrats to Con- gress for the district composed of the counties of Belmont, Guernsey, Noble and Monroe. While in Congress he served on the committee on foreign affairs, and was one of the four Ohio Democrats who voted for the Kansas and Nebraska bill. After the close of his Congressional term he was appointed Governor of Kansas by President Pierce, and located at its then capital, Lecompton. He continued to be governor of that distracted territory until 1857, when he was relieved at his own request, and was succeeded by Governor Geary, of Pennsylvania. Dur- ing Mr. Shannon's gubernatorial term in Kansas its capital was removed to Lawrence. Soon after he became governor of Kan- sas he removed his family to Lawrence, where they have resided ever since.

After retiring from the office of governor Mr. Shannon engaged actively in the practice of his profession; and for over twenty years he was regarded by his brotherhood as the foremost lawyer in the state. His practice was very extensive, and was confined to the most important cases litigated in the state. In 1875 he, in connection with Hon. Jeremiah Black, of Pennsylvania, argued the celebrated Osage land case before the Supreme Court of the United States and won the case for the settlers. While on his journey to Washington to make his argument he paid his last visit to his native county and greeted his old companions and friends for the last time. He was the picture of a hearty, hale old man of the olden time-kind of heart, honorable in principle, and every look, move and word overflowing with be- nevolence and love to all. He visited his old homestead at the west end of St. Clairsville, examined its walls, inspected its rooms, and strolled along its walks, and said: "I want once

189

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

more to own the old home and come and spend my last days with my old friends and neighbors." But the yearnings of his heart did not reach fruition, for in less than two years he was called "to rest from his labors, He died in the year 1877, and was buried at Lawrence, in his adopted state.

Governor Shannon was married twice. His first wife was Miss Elizabeth Ellis, a sister of Mrs. Judge Kennon of St. Clairs- ville. They had one child, James, who died after arriving at manhood, and is buried in the M. E. Cemetery at that town. After the death of his first wife he married Miss Sarah Osborn of Cadiz, Ohio. Four sons and three daughters were born to them. Three of the sons, John, Albert and Wilson, have died since the family removed to Kansas. Osborn, the only surviving son, lives in Lawrence, Kansas, and was engaged with his father in the practice of law. Mary, the eldest daughter, is the wife of General T. W. Sherman, a regular army officer stationed at Newport, Rhode Island. Sallie is married to a man named Walsh, and lives at St. Louis. The other daughter is married and resides in the State of Maryland.

Politically Governor Shannon was a Democrat, and through- out life be clung to the fortunes of the Democratic party. He rejoiced in its triumphs and sorrowed in its defeats, but whether victory perched upon its banners, or disaster overwhelmed its le- gions, he personally preserved the integrity of his honor and the dignity of his manhood, and passed through life and to his exalted political distinctions withont a spot upon his name.

As a lawyer, Governor Shannon was bold, persevering and diligent. He was a great student and sounded the profoundest depths of legal learning to which his mental powers would reach. To the members of the bar he was courteous, to the court and jury he was respectful, and to witnesses kind and forbearing. To the younger members of the profession he was always carly to extend a helping hand, and never seemed so happy as when he was assisting them to untie the knotted threads of their cases, or aiding them over the rough places of their business.

Governor Shannon was a man of noble presence; tall and erect, but gracefully bnilt; his eyes deep blue ; face slightly florid ; his hair a dark auburn, rather stiff and bristly and was al- ways cut short. He never wore a beard, but kept it closely shaven. He was a gentleman in the highest and noblest sense of the word, and "in all the tender and affectionate relations of life that bind man to wife, children, kindred and friends he was all that love could demand, affection claim, friendship ask, or humanity expect from mortal man.

JOHN SHANNON.

Mr. John Shannon continued on the home farm in section 30, during his life. He supported his mother while she lived and gave material aid and wise counsel to his brothers whenever their interests required them. He was the kindest of husbands, the most affectionate of fathers and the best neighbor the commu- nity had. He really carried his kindness to his neighbors to an extreme, as he often discommoded himself to accommodate them. Over his sisters he exercised the watchful care of a father, and when each was married gave her an outfit with which to start on the journey of married life. Nancy, the eldest sister, married Mr. Morgan Gilliland, and Lavina, the younger sister, Mr. Humphrey Anderson, a young farmer of the neighborhood.

. The most distinguished member of the Shannon family now living is the Hon. Isaac Parker, of St. Joseph Mo., a grand-son of John Shannon. He was born in Warren township, was edu- cated at the Classical Institute of Prot. John I. Thompson at Barnesville, studied law with John Davenport, Esq., and then "went west and grew up with the country." He has been cir- cuit judge for the St. Joseph district, Mo., a member of Con- gress from same district, and is now U. S. District Judge for the Southern District of that state.

In early and mature manhood Mr. John Shannon was a great hunter and very often exposed himself to the inclemencies of the weather, the ill effects of which, as he grew older, made him an invalid, and he was confined to his farm for many years previous to his death. He died on the 8th of January, A. D. 1861, and was buried at Gibron's Chapel. It is useless to say that his death was regretted by all and that it threw a gloom over the whole township, for John Shannon was beloved by everybody, and his place could not be filled.

THOMAS SHANNON.

Thomas Shannon was born in Washington county, Pa., in the latter part of the year 1786; came to Ohio in 1800 and to Warren township the following year, where he resided until death. Hle

was during almost his whole life a leading and conspicuous char- acter in the history of Belmont county. About the year 1812, he married Miss Casandria Anderson and that union resulted in quite a family of children; the only survivor of which is Mrs. Eliza Bradfield, wife of Mr. John Bradfield, the foremost dry goods and tobacco merchant at Barnesville. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Shannon sold his farm in section 18, and bought the property now the Frasier House, and began the mercantile business. At the second draft in Belmont county in the war of 1812 he was drafted for a term of six months. He was elected captain of the Belmont county company, in Colonel Delong's regi- ment, and served out his full term. The fabulous shrinkage of values following the war of 1812 brought disaster upon Mr. Shan- non and swept away his property. He returned to farming, and in a year or two he had so far repaired his fortunes that he rented the property now owned and occupied by Mrs. Jane Piper, with the intention to engage once more in merchandizing. But his worth had become known throughout the county and in 1819 he was elected as the representative of Belmont county in the General Assembly, and was continued in that station by re- elections for the years 1820-1-2. In the years 1824-5 he was once more elected to the Legislature as Representative for Bel- mont county.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 67

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 728

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728