My Genealogy Hound

FINIS E. SHANNON, Sr., one of the oldest citizens of District No. 22, and a prominent farmer, was born November 20, 1814, in Wilson County. He is the youngest child of Henry and Jane (Hayes) Shannon. The father was of Irish descent, born January 10, 1766, in Virginia and was a farmer by occupation. About 1795 he came to Davidson County but afterward removed to Wilson County where he died September 25, 1841. The mother was born March 22, 1772, in Virginia, and died December 10, 1832, in Wilson County. The subject of our sketch received his education mostly outside of the school-room. July 31, 1838, he married Nancy Hearn, daughter of Milbry Hearn. Mrs. Shannon was born February 6, 1818, in Wilson County and by her marriage became the mother of two children: Norman P., who is a farmer, and Mary C., wife of James Doughty. After our subject’s marriage he located on the old home place. In 1856 his wife died and in the following year he married Rosanna A. Hunt, a native of Rutherford County, born in 1826, and the daughter of Samuel Hunt. To Mr. and Mrs. Shannon were born three children: Finis E., Texannah, and Frusey. In 1861 he sold the old home place and bought land in District No. 22, where he is now living. He lost his second wife in 1862, and in 1867 he married E. J. O’Neal; she lived but a short time after marriage and December, 1868, he married Elizabeth J. Etherley, a native of Wilson County, born in 1829. Mr. Shannon is one of Wilson County’s old citizens and has been quite successful, owning at the present time 500 acres of land. He has been a life-long Democrat casting his first vote for Martin Van Buren. He has also been an active business man, is obliging and courteous and is a good neighbor.