Hugh Shannon

SHANNON, DODDS

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/10/2014 at 12:47:06

VETERAN RIVER ENGINEER DIES IN ROCK ISLAND.

Had Worked Continuously on Mississippi Since 1886; Death Follows Illness of One Week.

Hugh Shannon aged 80, veteran riverman on the Mississippi, died at 4:20 yesterday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. H. J. Dodds, 1029 Seventeenth street, Rock Island. He had been ill for only a week, having worked until Nov. 1, when he was taken sick with complications, which caused his death.

Born in Londonderry, Ireland, July 3, 1843, he came with his parents to Le Claire, Iowa , when two years old. He lived there until 1901, when he moved to Rock Island.

He was educated in the Le Claire School, and at the age of 17 was granted a license to operate a ferry oat between Port Byron and Le Claire. A few years later he worked as an engineer on the Milwaukee railroad. In 1866, at the age of 23, he was issued an engineer’s marine license, and up to the time f his death he had not missed a season working as a river engineer.

For a period of 25 years Mr. Shannon was employed by the Weyerhaeuser & Denkmann company. and when that concern discontinued operating raft boats he began working on river pleasure craft. Recently he had operated the Kalatan, pleasure boat of Mr. and Mrs. William Butterworth of Moline.

Married in Le Claire

Martha Alvira Holsapple and Hugh Shannon were married in Le Claire, in August 1867. Mrs. Shannon died in Le Claire 35 years ago. Five Children were born to the union, of whom two survive. They are; Mrs. J. A. Dodds, Rock Island, and Mrs. J. A. Mayer, Le Claire, he had three grandchildren.

Short services will be held Sunday afternoon at 1 o’clock at the Dodds home in Rock Island, after which the body will be taken to Le Claire, where the funeral will be at the Presbyterian Church. Rev W. L. Essex will officiate at the service in Rock Island.

Interment will be in the Le Claire Cemetery.

Source: Rock Island Argus, Rock Island, Il., 09 Nov 1923.