1914 Biography - Thomas Shannon

Shannon, Thomas, retired merchant and prominent citizen, Morgan City, La., was born at New Orleans, La., Dec. 13, 1850; son of Thomas and Margaret (Moore) Shannon, both of whom were born in Ireland, where they were also married. After the birth of their first son, Michael, the parents emigrated to America, landing at New York City, whence they went south to New Orleans, where they located about 1849. The mother died at New Orleans during the yellow fever epidemic of 1853, and the father was accidentally killed in Alabama a short time following his wife's death, while engaged upon some work there. Thomas Shannon's educational advantages were very limited, by reason of this early bereavement of both parents. After the Federals entered New Orleans during the Civil war, the boy, being then 12 years old, he was employed as a cabin boy on the U. S. Dispatch Boat Leviathan, running between New Orleans and the mouth of the river. After 3 months this boat was captured by Confederates, under Capt. Harry Skinner, but later was retaken by the Federals. Returning to New Orleans, the lad again found employment as cabin boy on a Federal boat under Capt. Duncan, and sailed to Mobile, the boat being thereafter engaged in laying a cable from Cat Island to Ship Island, off Gulfport, Miss. After this service had been completed, Thomas secured a place as cabin boy on the steamer Gen. N. P. Banks, which carried Federal troops from New Orleans to Pensacola, Fla., and later carried ammunition to Spanish Fort, Ala., and to Admiral Farragut's fleet. Later, Thomas was with Farragut's fleet at the capture of Fort Blakeslee, Ala. Following this event, he returned to New Orleans and shortly afterward proceeded to Brownsville, Tex., where he became an employe of the U. S. Commissary department for a time. Later he did similar work at Point Isabella and at Bagdad, on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande. From the latter place he again returned to New Orleans, and after a brief rest went on to St. Louis, Mo., where he spent 3 years learning the tinner's trade. After having learned the business of a tinner, it seems the attractions of the river proved too great to admit of his continuing at that trade, and he accordingly made his way back to New Orleans again and for some time worked as storekeeper successively on the steamer Morgan and the steamer Josephine. In 1867 it appears that he decided to break away from the river life, and going to Morgan City, he found employment in the general store of McCurdy & Moss. This place proved reasonably satisfactory, and he continued an employe of this firm about 6 years. In Aug., 1873, having by the exercise of habits of thrift accumulated some capital and extended his acquaintance in business circles and otherwise, the young man opened a general merchandise store at Morgan City, and from the latter date to the present time, embracing a period of more than 40 years, the enterprise then founded has been open for trade during business hours. In 1911 Mr. Shannon turned his business over to his 2 sons and retired from active participation in trade. Mr. Shannon is a member of the Roman Catholic church, and a regular democrat. He represented Morgan City on the St. Mary parish school board 14 years. He has always been keenly appreciative of the advantages and importance of education, and during his long term of service as a member of the school board was an earnest advocate of every advantage that could be afforded the scholastic population of St. Mary parish, and in line with these sentiments many new and improved school buildings were erected in the parish during his tenure in office. Mr. Shannon was appointed postmaster at Morgan City at the beginning of Pres. Cleveland's first term and continued incumbent of that office throughout the Cleveland administration and 3 years under the administration of Pres. Harrison, 7 years in the office. In 1898 he was elected mayor of Morgan City, without opposition, and reflected in 1902 under similar conditions, serving 8 years. He was appointed by Gov. Sanders as chief oyster inspector for Louisiana, serving 2 years, and it is said that Gov. Sanders has expressed himself to the effect that among all his appointees to office, Mr. Shannon was the most zealous in the performance of his duties. Oct. 1, 1873, Mr. Shannon was married to Miss Hannah Kepper, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Henry Kepper, who have long been residents of Morgan City. Mrs. Shannon was born at Oldenburg, Hanover, Germany, and came with her parents to Morgan City when a child. To Mr. and Mrs. Shannon 6 children have been born, namely: Thomas H., Maurice D., now mayor of Morgan City; Meta Elizabeth, Francis, Mary Grace and Luretta Winifred, the latter two now deceased.

Extracted 2020 Nov 01 by Norma Hass, from Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, published in 1914, volume 3, pages 394-396.

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