California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 SIDNEY J. SHANNON. A man of excellent business capacity and tact, enterprising and liberal, Sidney J. Shannon, an esteemed resident of Los Banos, is widely and favorably known throughout the length and breadth of the San Joaquin valley, his position with Miller & Lux as their land agent bringing him in contact with the leading men of this part of the state. A native Californian, he was born, August 27, 1868, at Fort Miller, near Millerton, Fresno county, a son of the late Hon. Jefferson M. Shannon. His paternal grandfather, Nathaniel Shannon, was born and bred in Kentucky, in early life moving from there to Marion county, Mo., where he cleared and improved a farm. Crossing the plains with ox teams in 1849, ne located at Diamond Springs, Eldorado county, Cal., where he at once embarked in business as a butcher, thinking to make more money by supplying the miners with meat than in digging for gold. His career, however, was short, his death occurring a few weeks after his arrival in the late fall of 1849. Born in Marion county, Mo., Jefferson M. Shannon was there brought up and educated. In the spring of 1850, following in the footsteps of his father, he crossed the plains to California, and not until his arrival on the coast did he hear of his father's death. Locating in Sonoma coun- ty, he carried on the butchering business there four years, meeting with good success. Settling on Chowchilla creek, in Fresno county, in 1854, he was employed for a time in stock-raising and dealing. Subsequently removing to Fort Miller, he was elected one of the early sheriffs of Fres- no county, a position which he held two terms, being connected with the office of sheriff and tax collector until the removal of the office to Fresno. While a resident of Fort Miller he served one term in the state legislature. In December, 1873, he removed to Fresno, where he became connected with the land department of the Southern Pacific, or Pacific Improvement Company, as general town-site agent, having charge of the location of town sites in California, Arizona and New Mexico. He made wise investments in land, becoming owner of several vineyards, comprising hundreds of acres, and being among the largest raisin-growers of Cali- fornia. Removing to Alameda, in 1888, he continued as town-site agent until his death, June 8, 1902. He was a man of upright character, respected and honored by all, and was a promi- nent member of the Republican party. Mr. Shannon married Rebecca M. Bailey, who was born in Jackson county, Mo., a daughter of Judge Gillam Bailey. Judge Bailey, a native of Kentucky, moved first to Missouri, settling as a pioneer in Jackson county. Coming across the plains to California in 1854, he located in Vi- salia, Tulare county, where he served as district judge for Fresno, Mariposa and Merced coun- ties for several terms. He died in Fresno. Of the union of Hon. Jefferson and Rebecca M. (Bailey) Shannon four children were born, namely : Scott Ashman, of Fresno, managing the Fresno county property of his father ; Idria, wife of W. E. Toms, of Alameda ; Sidney J., the special subject of this sketch ; and Leland S., of Alameda. The mother is still living, mak- ing her home at No. 1610 Central avenue, Alameda. His parents removing from Fort Miller to Fresno in 1873, Sidney J. Shannon was there educated, completing the course of study in the public schools when but fourteen years old. Entering then the employ of Miller & Lux, at Dos Palos, he began work in a low position, but gradually worked his way upward, remaining with the firm until 1888. In January, 1889, removing to Alameda, Mr. Shannon accepted the position of office boy with the Pacific Improvement Company, and proved himself so efficient that he was promoted from time to time, soon becoming chief accountant, in which position he remained until April, 1901. Resigning at that time, Mr. Shannon has since served in his present position as land agent for Miller & Lux, in this capacity superintending the colonization of different places, laying out new additions to towns and having charge of the land sales throughout the San Joaquin valley. In Alameda, Cal., Mr. Shannon married Johanna M. Brock, a native of Alameda, and they have one child, a daughter named Marie Margaret. Politically Mr. Shannon is a stanch Re- publican. Fraternally he is a member of Oak Grove Lodge, No. 215, F. & A. M., of Alameda; of Alameda Chapter, No. 70, R. A. M. ; of Oakland Commandery No. 11, K. T. ; of Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of San Francisco; a member and past president of Halcyon Parlor No. 146, N. S. G. W., of Alameda, and also a member of Fresno Lodge of Elks. Mrs. Shannon is a member of the Presbyterian Church.