BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Pages 610-611.


JOHN B. SHANNAFELT is one of the largest railroad contractors in the state
of Ohio. His home is at Bellaire, Belmont county, Ohio. Mr. Shannafelt
was born near Nugers Town, Md., in the year 1812. His parents were
Henry and Sarah Shannafelt, both natives of Germany. The father was a
farmer in Germany, and came to this country about the year 1807, locating
in Washington county, Md., where he purchased a tract of land, remaining
there until his death in 1815. He was the father of two children: William
F., who became the superintendent of the Cumberland & Mount Savage railroad,
meeting his death while in the discharge of his duties overseeing the task
of replacing a derailed engine on the track, and John B., the subject of
this biography. The mother died in 1817. John was unable to attend school
in his boyhood and all the education that he acquired has been gained by
dint of hard work and associating with others who have had more advantages
in that line. When but a small boy he was employed on the Government
Water-Works at Washington, D. C. He removed to Elliott's Mills, Md.,
and began working in taking out granite rock for the road-bed on the
Baltimore road, which has since become the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. He
was employed in running a horse car from Frederick City to Baletown, a
distance of sixty-four miles when locomotives were as yet unknown. He
continued in the employ of the Baltimore road until 1852, when he became
a railroad contractor. In 1840, he went into the southern states and took
large contracts for the building of roads in those states. He has built
roads in seventeen different states of the Union. In 1854 he came to
Bellaire, at which time he was engaged in building the Central Ohio
railroad. Mr. Shannafelt afterward moved his family to Peltsburg in
1857, and began the construction of the C.& P. railway. When the war
broke out he enlisted in the First Virginia artillery, serving with them
until 1865. He was in seventeen hard fought battles, and participated
in twenty-six skirmishes. He was severely wounded in the battle of
Freeman's Ford while trying to save his captain's life, he was also
wounded in the battle of Gettysburg. After the close of the war he
returned home and resumed his business, and has since continued in it
with increasing success. January 15, 1849, he was married to Frances
Keller, who was a resident of Frederick City, Md. Nine children have
come of this marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Shannafelt are both earnest members
of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Shannafelt is a republican, and
has filled several important offices, and was a member of the equalizing
board of the state of Ohio. A man who has made a marked success of his
life, both financially and as a citizen of good repute.