I have traced this Shannon family back to James Alexander Shannon. (My Great Great Grandfather) He was the son of James Shannon and Jane McHeleney Shannon of Londonderry, Ireland.
When he was 14 years of age, the family came to America, settling in the state of Illinois. It is assumed that his parents James and Jane Shannon came to America also.
One story tells that James Alexander Shannon came to America, to Illinois to live with an Uncle who worked him very hard. If this is the case, then maybe his parents did not come to America from Ireland.
In 1871, James Alexander Shannon went to Kansas at the age of 19, to pre-empt a claim 5 miles NW of Clearwater, KS.
He worked as a carpenter and a brick mason, and then later he farmed. After proving up his claim and building a cabin, he returned to Illinois.
He then married Julia Bramley on November 25, 1875. Julia was born March 3, 1854 in Mercer County, ILL.
They remained in Illinois for a few years and had three children born in Ill. The children were: Hattie Jane, Myrtle Ella and a baby girl that died.
James and Julia Shannon then returned to Kansas to the homestead that James had built a few years earlier. It was here that their next three children were born: Harry Wilbur, Guy Ellsworth and Glenn Willsworth.
James Alexander and Julia Shannon remained on this farm for many years.
After raising the five children and living on this farm for 44 years, Julia Shannon, had a stroke and passed away on May 19, 1928, at the age of 74.
After Julia's death in 1928, James Alexander Shannon moved into town (Clearwater, KS) with his son, Guy Shannon and family until the time of his death, March 17, 1933. He and Julia Shannon are both buried in the Clearwater Cemetery.
NOTE** Julia Bramley Shannon's parents were Mathew and Harriet Louise (Brack or Brock?) Bramley, who had emigrated from Monmouth Shire, England to Illinois. They are buried in the Little York, ILL. Cemetery.
I have found 2 obituaries for Julia Bramley Shannon. I found them to be quite interesting. They are as follows:
MRS. SHANNON ANSWERS CALL:
The community was saddened on Sunday of this week when it became known that Mrs. J.A. Shannon had passed away. She had been in town Wednesday and although a few months ago she had suffered a stroke, she recovered from that and was able to be about again. Thursday morning, she had another stroke, it being fatal. She passed away on Saturday night.
The funeral was held from the methodist Church in Clearwater on Monday afternoon, the Rev. E.A. Nossaman officiating. Burial was made in the Clearwater Cemetery.
Mrs. Shannon was one of those women of character who leave their mark on all who come into contact with them. Her friendship, while given freely, was no less valuable because of its munificense. The entire community mourns her passing.
The obituary as read by Mr. Nossaman follows: Julia Ann Bramley was born in Illinois, March 4, 1854, and died at her home near Clearwater, May 19, 1928, age 74 years, 2 months and 15 days.
THE NEXT OBITUARY READS:
ON SAME FARM FOR 44 YEARS
Julia Ann Shannon, 74 died at her home near Clearwater early Sunday. She came to Clearwater from Illinois in 1884 and for 44 years lived on the farm where she died. She is survived by her husband, James A. Shannon, two daughters, Mrs. Hattie Jane Jolly, Oklahoma City and Mrs. Ella Mae Clemmons, Wichita. Three sons: Ellsworth E., Clearwater, Glenn of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and three sisters Louise Moorehead, Mrs. T.E. Walters, and Mrs. M. Van Swearingen all of Illinois. Funeral services will be held in the Clearwater Methodist Episcopal Church today at 2:00pm, Rev. E.A. Nossaman will officiate. Burial will be in Clearwater Cemetery. Pallbearers will Be Frank Mitchell, Pete Schauff, Gus Leichhardt, W. McLaughlin, N.B. Smith, Worth Chambers.
THE FOLLOWING IS AN OBITUARY FOR JAMES A. SHANNON:
Aged Citizen Succumbs to Brief Illness:
James A. Shannon services conducted from M.E. Church last Sunday afternoon.
James Alexander Shannon son of James and Jane McHeleney Shannon, was born near Londonderry, Ireland April 17, 1852.
When he was 14 years of age the family came to America settling in the state of Illinois. When James was about twenty years of age, he and 2 other young men came west into Kansas where he homesteaded what later became the family home and one of the more finely developed and improved farms of the community.
After a few years spent in the fundamental work of the homestead, Mr. Shannon returned to Illinois and on November 17, 1875 was united in marriage with Julia Bramley of Galesburg, Ill.
About nine years later, Mr. & Mrs. Shannon returned to Kansas and to the homestead for a permanent residence.
The finely developed farm, the fellowship of neighbors, and the high regard in which they were held testify to the success of these years of pilgrimage.
Mrs. Shannon passed away in 1928 and the following Spring, Mr. Shannon came to Clearwater, residing with his son and family until the time of his death. Mr Shannon was the father of six children, one dying in infancy. The others, Mrs.W.T. Clemons of Wichita, Mrs. J. H. Jolly of Oklahoma City, OK., H. W. Shannon of Wichita, KS., Glen of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and G. E. of Clearwater survive him.
Funeral services were held in the Methodist Episcopal Church building Sunday afternoon, conducted by A. P. Sherman with Rev. Bookless assisting. The body was laid to rest beside that of his wife in the Clearwater Cemetery. Mr. Shannon was eighty one years of age.
**NOTE**
James Alexander & Julia Shannon's daughter Hattie Jane Shannon (my great grandmother) married John Isaac Salisbury (my great grandfather) and had three children: Verna B.,(my grandmother) Earnest and Olive Salisbury.
Hattie and John divorced and Hattie later remarried to John Jolly of Oklahoma.
THE FOLLOWING IS TAKEN FROM A HANDWRITTEN LETTER FROM JAMES A. SHANNON TO HIS GRANDDAUGHTER, VERNA. B. SALISBURY DAVIS SEARS. THIS LETTER WAS WRITTEN 8 MONTHS AFTER THE DEATH OF JULIA SHANNON:
Baynesville, Kansas
January 24, 1929
Well Verna I am going to write you a few lines to you and scend you some little thing that was your grandmas. they are not of mutch value but they are old ones. this little Bible I am scend you is over and 100 years old. it belongs to your grat grat grandmother and I think more of it than any thing I could cend you. the close would be of no use to you so i scent them all to your mother. (meaning Hattie) She needs them for they are hard up and I can't pity her one bit. if she had stayed with your father (meaning John I. Salisbury) she would have a good home now. She and the children were up and stayed with me 2 weaks durin the holadays. I gave her all of Ma's things that was worth any thing, I am going to have another sale and sell away things and sale the farm. I sure hate to do so it has been my home for 57 years. I havent seen your father since Ma was buried but Myrtle said they were all well. Will Clemens is in iowa now his brother vince is saying how he cant get well he has been in bed for three months they say he is nothing but skin and bones he has abscy on the brain. it is cold today the coldest day we had this winter it is 10 above right now and snowing a little. we have had very little snow this winter so far the ground is geting white now. I dont remember I rote you since we were to the mountains or not, but we had a good time and I sure would like to gow back again and stay longer. we didnt see half of the sights and some of the purdy towns. Well Verna i dont know mutch to write about. did you get the check I scent you for christmas. I will scend you a few little things that grandma thought special. i cant think of anything more to write so I will close for this time hoping to heer from you soon. i dont know where I will be after the first of march. Yours for ever truly your lonly grand father
J.A. Shannon
Back To Homepage
Back to Shannon Lineage
Shannon Photo Album
