Paul R. Shanahan was born on a farm in Saline County, a member of a pioneer family who came to Kansas in 1870. A graduate of rural grade school and Salina High School, Shanahan attended Kansas Wesleyan University.
In 1937, he was appointed undersheriff of Saline County and served four years before being elected sheriff for two terms. He was a former president of the Kansas Peace Officers Association. Following his terms as sheriff, he was elected to the Kansas Legislature where he served three terms. Shanahan served as a majority floor leader in 1949 and had two terms on the Legislative Council. He was elected Secretary of State in 1950 and served in that office at the time of his death. He consistently received more votes than any other elected official on the ballot.
He died at his home in Topeka after a long illness. Survivors included his wife, Elwill Shanahan. A Requiem High Mass funeral, was held in Assumption Church in Topeka with the Most Rev. Edward J. Hunkeler, archbishop of the diocese of Kansas City officiating. The casket was carried into the church through an honor guard of highway patrolmen and members of the Topeka police force. In attendance were Governor and Mrs. William H. Avery, Chief Justice J. W. Parker, and a large group of elected state officials and Supreme Court justices. Burial was in his hometown of Salina.
In 1937, he was appointed undersheriff of Saline County and served four years before being elected sheriff for two terms. He was a former president of the Kansas Peace Officers Association. Following his terms as sheriff, he was elected to the Kansas Legislature where he served three terms. Shanahan served as a majority floor leader in 1949 and had two terms on the Legislative Council. He was elected Secretary of State in 1950 and served in that office at the time of his death. He consistently received more votes than any other elected official on the ballot.
He died at his home in Topeka after a long illness. Survivors included his wife, Elwill Shanahan. A Requiem High Mass funeral, was held in Assumption Church in Topeka with the Most Rev. Edward J. Hunkeler, archbishop of the diocese of Kansas City officiating. The casket was carried into the church through an honor guard of highway patrolmen and members of the Topeka police force. In attendance were Governor and Mrs. William H. Avery, Chief Justice J. W. Parker, and a large group of elected state officials and Supreme Court justices. Burial was in his hometown of Salina.
Paul R. Shanahan was born on a farm in Saline County, a member of a pioneer family who came to Kansas in 1870. A graduate of rural grade school and Salina High School, Shanahan attended Kansas Wesleyan University.
In 1937, he was appointed undersheriff of Saline County and served four years before being elected sheriff for two terms. He was a former president of the Kansas Peace Officers Association. Following his terms as sheriff, he was elected to the Kansas Legislature where he served three terms. Shanahan served as a majority floor leader in 1949 and had two terms on the Legislative Council. He was elected Secretary of State in 1950 and served in that office at the time of his death. He consistently received more votes than any other elected official on the ballot.
He died at his home in Topeka after a long illness. Survivors included his wife, Elwill Shanahan. A Requiem High Mass funeral, was held in Assumption Church in Topeka with the Most Rev. Edward J. Hunkeler, archbishop of the diocese of Kansas City officiating. The casket was carried into the church through an honor guard of highway patrolmen and members of the Topeka police force. In attendance were Governor and Mrs. William H. Avery, Chief Justice J. W. Parker, and a large group of elected state officials and Supreme Court justices. Burial was in his hometown of Salina.
In 1937, he was appointed undersheriff of Saline County and served four years before being elected sheriff for two terms. He was a former president of the Kansas Peace Officers Association. Following his terms as sheriff, he was elected to the Kansas Legislature where he served three terms. Shanahan served as a majority floor leader in 1949 and had two terms on the Legislative Council. He was elected Secretary of State in 1950 and served in that office at the time of his death. He consistently received more votes than any other elected official on the ballot.
He died at his home in Topeka after a long illness. Survivors included his wife, Elwill Shanahan. A Requiem High Mass funeral, was held in Assumption Church in Topeka with the Most Rev. Edward J. Hunkeler, archbishop of the diocese of Kansas City officiating. The casket was carried into the church through an honor guard of highway patrolmen and members of the Topeka police force. In attendance were Governor and Mrs. William H. Avery, Chief Justice J. W. Parker, and a large group of elected state officials and Supreme Court justices. Burial was in his hometown of Salina.
Inscription
Saline County Sheriff 1941-1945
Saline County State Representative
1945-1951
Secretary of State 1951-1966
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
