BIO: Jeremiah Francis SHANAHAN, Dauphin County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, pages 274-275.
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  SHANAHAN, JEREMIAH FRANCIS, D. D., first bishop of Harrisburg, Pa., 
was born at Silver Lake, Susquehanna county, Pa., July 13, 1834, son of 
John and Margaret (Donovan) Shanahan, both natives of cork county 
Ireland.  His early Catholic education and training were scrupulously 
attended to by his pious parents, who also provided for him a liberal 
course in the best schools.  For three years he attended an ordinary 
school at Silver Lake, from which he went to St. Joseph's Academy, near 
Binghamton, N. Y., and was graduated therefrom with honor at eighteen 
years of age.  His classical, philosophical and theological courses 
were completed at the Theological Seminary of St. Charles Borromeo, at 
Philadelphia.  His ordination to the priesthood, by Bishop Neumann, 
took place July 3, 1859, after which he was appointed by the bishop, 
rector of the new Preparatory Seminary at Glen Riddle, Delaware county, 
Pa., and for nine years discharged the duties of the place with rare 
ability and gratifying success.
  When the new diocese of Harrisburg was constituted in 1868, Father 
Shanahan was appointed its bishop.  His consecration took place July 
12, 1868, at the cathedral in Philadelphia.  His installation took 
place on September 20, of the same year, at St. Patrick's, in 
Harrisburg, which then became the pro-cathedral.  Here abundant and 
difficult labors awaited the young bishop.  His flock was sparsely 
scattered through eighteen counties, and were only partly supplied with 
under shepherds, each priest having a triple charge.  All church 
activities were to be organized and set in motion.  The good bishop was 
equal to the demands of the situation, and the wonderful enlargement 
and prosperity of the diocese demonstrated his ability, faithfulness 
and consecration.
  But the physical strength of Bishop Shanahan proved inadequate to the 
strain of labor so constant and consuming, and his health gave way.  He 
lived and labored long enough to organize the diocese, to plant schools 
and build churches, to win the admiration and affection of his people, 
and to gain the confidence and esteem of the entire community.  He was 
called to his rest and reward September 24, 1886; and a handsome and 
enduring monument, erected by his grateful and loving parishioners, 
marks his resting place in the beautiful grounds of St. Patrick's pro-
cathedral.
  This eminent servant of God has a worthy successor in the bishopric 
in the person of Archbishop Thomas McGovern, who found a happy and 
prosperous charge, and who is successfully continuing and extending the 
work so auspiciously begun by the first bishop.