Andrew J. Shannon

    Andrew J. Shannon, one of the old and honored pioneers of Harrison Township, Blackford County, is a native of Ohio, born in Tuscarawas County July 3, 1830, a son of a son and Catherine (Color) Shannon, the father being a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania, and of Irish descent. They were married in the State of Ohio, where they lived until the subject of this sketch was sixteen years old. They then came with their family to Blackford County, Indiana, locating on a heavily timbered farm June 15, 1846. There was a rude log cabin without a roof on their land, 17 x 16 feet in size, and here the father lived until 1856, when the farm was purchased by our subject. The father then removed to section 15, Harrison Township, where he died October 12, 1877. The mother died in Ohio.

    Andrew J. Shannon, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood on the old farm in Blackford County, on which his father first settled, and his youth was spent in assisting to clear and cultivate the land. He was united in marriage October 6, 1853, to Miss Margaret E. Teach, who was born in Belmont County, Ohio, November 1, 1833, a daughter of John and Ann (Mustard) Teach, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Pennsylvania.

    Mr. and Mrs. Teach came to Blackford County, Indiana, in 1847, when they settled on the Godfrey reserve. Three years later John Teach went to California, where he died. The mother continued to reside in Blackford County, Indiana until 1877, when she removed to Kansas and died in that State in 1879.

    Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Shannon six are living -John Ammon, Dennis F., Anna E. C., Arthur M., Andrew A. and Carrie H. William J., James B. and Lafayette S. are deceased.

    Mr. Shannon has made farming the principal avocation of his life and is now the owner of a good farm of eighty-seven acres, of which seventy-seven acres are cleared. His house is built of hewed logs. He has a large commodious barn, 40 x 88 feet, and his land proves him to be a thorough practical farmer. In his political views Mr. Shannon is a Republican. Both he and his wife are active and consistent members of the Christian Church, of which he is one of its liberal supporters. He is always interested in the advancement of his township or county, and every enterprise for the public welfare had his encouragement and support.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887.