One of the fine farms of Linder township is the property of Samuel Elmer Shannon, who resides on section 16. He is accounted one of the thrifty and successful agriculturists and stockraisers, owning one hundred and forty-six acres of land. He was born near Carrollton, May 21, 1862. His father, Thomas Shannon, was a native of Lancastershire, England, born July 29, 1825, and his father was William Shannon, who came to the new world in 1836, settling first in Canada, whence he afterward removed to New York. He lived near Lake Champlain for a few years and subsequently removed to Illinois, settling there about 1844. He took up his abode in Greene county near Carrollton, where Thomas Shannon was reared to manhood. The father was a man of good education and became one of the pioneer teachers of Greene county, also following that profession in Jersey and Montgomery counties. He was married here to Rebecca King, a native of Alabama, who spent her girlhood days in Greene county. Mr. Shannon purchased land and engaged in farming for many years, following that pursuit through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he followed teaching. He lived in different towns in Greene, Jersey and Montgomery counties, and then bought land in Greene county. He located in Greenfield, where he spent his remaining days, enjoying a well earned rest from further labor. He died there September 17, 1893. His first wife had passed away some years prior to that time and he afterward contracted a second marriage.

Samuel Elmer Shannon is one of a family of four sons and two daughters, of whom three sons reached mature years. His brother William is engaged in farming in Colorado, and Edgar is a farmer of Linder township. Mr. Shannon of this review was largely reared in Jersey county and pursued his studies in the public schools of that county and of Montgomery county. He worked at farm labor in his youth, early becoming familiar with the best methods of caring for the fields and cultivating the crops. After arriving at years of maturity he started out in life on his own account, locating on a farm in Linder township, and as a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Edna J. Johnson, a native of Greene county and a daughter of Andrew Johnson, one of the early settlers and prominent farmers of this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Shannon were married October 20, 1897, and afterward located on the farm where they now reside. He built a nice farm house, also two good barns and other outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He likewise planted an orchard and has made splendid improvements on his place so that it is a well developed farm property. He not only cultivates the fields but also raises and feeds good grades of stock.

Politically Mr. Shannon is a Republican, deeply interested in the welfare of his party, yet he has never sought or desired office for himself. He was elected and served, however, as school trustee in his township for nine or ten years and for one term was township collector. He has frequently been a delegate to the county conventions of his party and has served as central committeeman of this township. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church, in which he is serving as a deacon, and he takes a most active and helpful interest in the various departments of church work. He is recognized as one of the prominent young farmers of Linder township and is an active, progressive, public-spirited man, whose efforts in behalf of his community along line of material, intellectual, social and moral progress have been of direct benefit to his fellowmen.