History of Michigan, / by Charles Moore. [Vol. 3]

1726 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN
where he received the degree of Pharmaceutical Chemist in I907, and two
years later that institution conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of
Sciences. During the two latter years there, I9o8 and I909, Mr. Shannon
was assistant to Dr. J. O. Schlotterbeck, dean of the department of chemistry of the University of Michigan, and in I909 Mr. Shannon was appointed instructor in food and drug analysis in the department of pharmacy at that institution, a position which he held until January, I9II. At
that time came his appointment to his present office, secured from State
Food and Drug Commissioner G. M. Dame, under Governor Osborn. Mr.
Shannon stands high in the ranks of his profession in Michigan, and is a
member of the American Chemical Society, the American Pharmaceutical
Association, secretary of the chemist section of the Association of American Dairy Food and Drug Officials, and associate referee on Saccharine
Products of the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists. His fraternal connection is with Lansing Lodge, No. 33, F. & A. M.
Mr. Shannon was married to Miss N. Eloise Whitman, who was born
in the city of Detroit and reared at Ann Arbor, daughter of Harlan Whitman, formerly of Ann Arbor but now of Woodstock, Ontario, Canada.
One son has come to Mr. and Mrs. Shannon: John Loren.
BENJAMIN FREDERICK BURTLESS. One of the most popular and
efficient among the younger state officials of Michigan is Benjamin
Frederick Burtless, secretary of the board of state tax commissioners,
and of the state board of assessors, with which department he has been
connected for more than fourteen years. Mr. Burtless is a native son
of Michigan, and is descended from two pioneer families, those of
Burtless and Carr.
John Burtless, the paternal grandfather of Benjamin F. Burtless,
was a native of New York state, and brought his family to Michigan
during the early 'forties, settling at Manchester township, Washtenaw
county, as a pioneer. There he took up land from the Government,
cleared and cultivated it, and passed the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits, becoming one of the substantial and highly respected
men of his community. On this farm, in I842, was born William Burtless, the father of Benjamin F. He grew to manhood in Manchester
township, early adopted farming as his vocation, and became one of
the leading men of Washtenaw county. For some years he was identified with the grain, wool and livestock business, buying these commodities from the farmers of not only Washtenaw county, but of the counties of Jackson and Lenawee, and through able business management,
foresight and good judgment accumulated large holdings. He was
prominent in public affairs of the county, and at various times held important positions of trust, among them that of supervisor of Manchester
township, an office which he occupied for a period of more than ten
years. Mr. Burtless was well and favorably known in Masonic circles,
belonging to the Lodge, Chapter, Commandery and Shrine. His death
occurred March 31, I912, when his community lost one of its best and
most helpful citizens. The maternal grandfather of Benjamin F. Burtless was Elijah Carr, also a New Yorker and likewise a pioneer of Manchester township, where he settled during the early formation, taking
up land from the Government, and developing a handsome homestead
from the wilderness. His daughter, Carrie, the mother of our subject,
was born in Manchester township, and still survives.
Benjamin Frederick Burtless was born in Manchester township,
January 24, I877. His educational advantages were good, and after
he had graduated from the Manchester high school he took a special
course in the Ann Arbor high school, following whicn he attended a