Thomas Jefferson Shannon

Thomas J. Shannon, a successful and enterprising agriculturist of Vine·

yard Township, was born in this township April 7, 1842, and is the son of Alexander

and Pernarza (Oliver) Shannon, both natives of Kentucky. They we

married in Washington County, Ark., where each had moved with their parents

when small, and reared a family of seven children, three sons and four daughters.

The mother died at the age of thirty, and the father afterward married

Mrs. Sarah Crutchfield, who bore him one child. The father is still living, is

seventy-six years old, and has followed agricultural pursuits all his life. His

son, Thomas J., reached years of manhood on the farm, and received a limited education

in the common schools. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Second Cherokee

Regiment, Confederate States Army, and served until the close of hostilities,

being promoted to the rank of third lieutenant the last two years. Since the war he

has followed agricultural pursuits. In 1867 he married Miss Cynthia Denton, a

native of Tennessee, born February 3, 1846, and the daughter of Green berry

Denton. Eight children, five sons and three daughters, were the fruit of this

union. Mrs. Shannon died November 16, 1887. She was a member of the

Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and an excellent woman. Mr. Shannon is

the owner of 125 acres, of which ninety are tillable. He has made this county his

home all his life, and is a man well respected by all who know him. He is a

Democrat in his political principles.

SHANNON, T.J. – T.J. Shannon filed Veteran Application #13861 with the Confederate Pension Board of Washington County for a Confederate pension and it was received as allowed August 10, 1914 at the State, citing service with Company A, 2ndArkansas Cavalry from 1862 thru 1865. Mr. Shannon died November 30, 1930. His widow, Mrs. Zoe M. Shannon filed Widow Application #13861 with the State Confederate Pension Board and was allowed a Confederate widow pension on December 8, 1930. [State of Arkansas Confederate Pension Archives]