All Sorts of Pittsburgers, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania, 1892



Philip Shannon Biography

PHILIP MARTIN SHANNON, distinguished as a leading spirit among the independent oil producers of Pennsylvania, was born at Shannondale, Clarion County, Pa., September 2, 1846. He was reared in his native town, and had just entered upon his college course when, inspired by Presi dent Lincoln's call for troops to put down the Rebellion, he enlisted, deceiving the enrolling officer as to his age, and was assigned to Company C., 62d Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Samuel W. Black, of Pittsburg. He served in the Army of the Potomac until the battle of Gaines' Mills, when, being disabled by a wound in the right foot, he was honorably discharged and returned home. On his recovery, he went to Pittsburg and secured employment as a traveling salesman. In 1870, Mr. Shannon went into the oil business at Parker. He was one of the pioneers at Millerstown, Butler County, operating largely in that field until the spring of 1879, when he went to Bradford and there became associated with the largest operators. The firm of Melvin, Walker, Shannon & Co., alone controlled 10,000 acres of territory. In 189o, Mr. Shannon moved to Pittsburg, and was one of the pioneers of the Shannopin oil field. He owns extensive and valuable property there, and has realized largely upon the investment. He is also engaged in oil production in Wyoming, and is interested in the development of 150,000 acres of territory in that State. In Forest County his holdings aggregate 12,000 acres, and he has other leases scattered throughout the country. He is prominently connected with the independent producers' movement, and acts as one of its managers. Mr. Shannon was for many years active in Republican politics. In 1874 he was elected burgess of Millerstown and filled the office acceptably. In 1876 he was a candidate for the Legislature, but the Butler County ring threw the vote of the oil section out of the Convention, thus defeating him. In 1885 he was elected Mayor of Bradford. Shortly before his removal 'to Pittsburg he was urged to run for Congress, but declined, and has since remained out of politics. Mr. Shannon was married on June 18, 1881, to Miss Hattie M. McIntosh, of Bradford. He stands high in the Masonic order, having reached the 32d degree in that fraternity, and is a past eminent commander of Trinity Commandery No. 58, K. T. He is a man of admirable social qualities, and has a host of friends in all parts of the State.


Source: All Sorts of Pittsburgers Sketched in Prose and Verse; Burgoyne, Arthur; Pittsburg, PA; The Leader; 1892.
Note: The correct spelling of Pittsburgh in 1892 was Pittsburg. The spelling Pittsburgh was officially restored in 1911.












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