Probably the oddest Wyoming territorial official was Samuel D. Shannon, secretary of territory from 1887 to 1889. It is not odd that he was a secretary of the territory. What is odd is that he was appointed.
Samuel D. Shannon
(WSA)
Many of the territorial administrators worked their ways into political prominence, were successful businessmen or lawyers, or had served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Not so for Shannon. Shannon’s background was anything but admirable, and he had served with the Confederate Army.
Samuel Davis Shannon was born in May 3, 1833 in Camden, South Carolina. During the Civil War he was a staff member to General Richard Anderson. A handsome man with a magnetic personality, he had many friends and was a well-known womanizer. During the war, he married Elizabeth Peton Giles of Richmond, Virginia. The marriage was short-lived. She divorced him on the grounds of non-support.
At this point, Shannon’s history is unclear. One account, and probably the most entertaining, paints a picture of a freeloader. After the war, Shannon reportedly roamed the South and stayed for long periods of time with friends. His outgoing and polite manners offset the fact that he was moocher. He “had a sublime contempt for toil.”
Another account states that he applied himself in respectable work and eventually became a journalist in Charleston. Declining health forced him to move west. Shannon settled in Denver and then moved to Cheyenne, where he quickly became well known and had a large circle of friends.
Both accounts warrant closer historical scrutiny.
What is known is that opportunity brought Shannon to Wyoming.
On February 28, 1887, E.S.N. Morgan resigned as territorial secretary of state for Wyoming. Governor Thomas Moonlight, who had been appointed territorial governor in late January, relied heavily upon Morgan for guidance and support. Despite their political differences, the two men had a good working relationship. With Morgan gone, who would the President appoint in his place?
In March, Moonlight learned that Shannon was on the list of possible replacements. Shannon was reportedly in Washington DC, though what he was doing there is not entirely clear. Writing to Shannon, Moonlight stated that he would not endorse anyone nor did he feel a need to do so at the time. In other words, Moonlight was not going to have any input or say as to Morgan’s successor. The decision would rest entirely with the President.
Governor Moonlight’s terse note to Shannon stating that he “was not looking for a change.” He then also wrote to the Secretary of the Interior with the same. Later, Moonlight would send a longer letter to “My Dear Major” explaining that he felt he needed to be impartial and if he had said the appointment was agreeable to him it might be construed as showing favor.
(WSA Thomas Moonlight gubernatorial records, letterpress book Feb. 1887-May 1888, p46)
On April 9, 1887, President Grover Cleveland appointed Shannon as territorial secretary of State. Shannon left Washington, D.C. and no sooner had Morgan vacated his office, than Shannon took his place.
Unlike his predecessor, E.S.N. Morgan, Shannon was not required to swear a form of the “Ironclad Oath”, a part of which stated that “…I have never voluntarily borne arms against the United States since I have been a citizen thereof…” This oath, adopted by Congress in 1862 for all Federal employees, was a stumbling block for former Confederates in politics. Despite strong presidential opposition, the law persisted until 1884 when it was finally repealed.
(WSA SOS records, Oath of Office 1886-1887 file)
Shannon proved to be a good choice. He was competent and diligent. In addition to his statuatory duties, he served as territorial immigration agent, promoted Wyoming’s resources, and favored statehood.
Shannon left office on July 1, 1889, and returned to his old southern stomping grounds, where he once again relied upon the generosity of his friends to see to his welfare. Due to poor health, he was eventually placed in the Soldier’s Home at Pikesville, near Baltimore, where he died on September 13, 1896. He was buried in his home of Camden, South Carolina.[1]
— Carl V. Hallberg, Reference Archivist
1. “Capt. Samuel D. Shannon memorial,” FindAGrave.com.
Wyoming Postscripts 
Interesting that you said it was “What is odd is that he was appointed.” I think what you may have meant to say is that it was odd he was chosen to be appointed. All secretaries of Wyoming Territory were appointed.
Yes Kim, that is what we meant. Thank you for your clarification.