Minnie Richter was born 16 Oct 1872 in Salem, OR to William and Albertine [Betz] Richter. She was one of six children born to the couple. Her father William died in 1887 when Minnie was fifteen years old. He had worked for a number of years as a guard at the penitentiary before his death from brain fever, at age 60.  

In 1895 the Marion County census captured a physical description of Minnie along with her occupation as a weaver. At 22 years old she was 5 ft. 4 in. tall, weighed 135 pounds, and had a dark complexion.  

On 3 Jun 1908 she married Fred C. Shanahan in Salem, OR at the home of her parents at 525 N. 20th St. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Schopp of the Evangelical Church. After the ceremony, the couple left for Portland where they lived. Fred was a piano tuner. He was 43 years old, and it was his second marriage. Minnie was 34 years old, and it was her first marriage. No children would be born to the union.   

By 1910, the couple had moved to Vashon, WA where Fred was from originally. He continued to work as a piano tuner. They owned their own house. The 1920 census recorded a change to their household, Minnie’s mother Albertine lived with them and Minnie was listed as the proprietress of a hotel. In 1930, the household remained the same unit, Fred was 65 years old, Minnie 57, and mother Albertine, 79. By the 1940 census, both Fred and Minnie had retired and lived alone.  

Minnie died 17 Mar 1943 in King County Hospital in Seattle, WA. She was 70 years old. Cause of death was cerebrovascular thrombosis following a fracture of the left femur. She was cremated and her ashes taken to the Richter family plot in Lee Mission Cemetery Salem, OR. Her husband Fred died 30 Dec 1944 and was also taken to Salem for burial. 

1893  Richter Miss Minnie, weaver, TKWM Co, bds w s 20th 2 s Asylum ave [her mother’s residence] 

1896  Richter Miss Minnie, weaver, TKWM Co, res Frickey’s add. 

1908  Richter Minnie, bds 525 N 20th 

1909  Richter Minnie, bds 525 N 20th [her mother’s residence] 

1895 Marion County Census. Minnie Richter. Age: 22. Born in Oregon. Height: 5’4”. Weight: 135#. Complexion: Dark. Occupation: Weaver. Religion: Protestant. Female.   

1900  Minnie Richter. Age: 27. Birth Date: Oct 1872 in Oregon. Home in 1900: Prospect, Marion, OR. Single, daughter to HOH. Additional household members: Albertina Richter, age 49 (mother), George W. Richter, age 29 (brother), Fred A. Richter, age 25 (brother), William Richter, age 22 (brother), Ella N. Richter, age 14 (sister).  

1905 Marion County Census.  Minnie Richter. Age: 32. Born in Oregon. No occupation listed.  

1910  Minnie R. Shanahan. Age: 36. Birth Date: 1874 in Oregon. Home in 1910: Vashon, King, WA. Married, wife to HOH. Years married: 2. Additional household members: Frederick C. Shanahan, age 42 (husband), Is Neda, age 36 (Japanese hired hand).  

1920  M. R. Shanahan. Age: 42. Birth Year: abt 1878 in Oregon. Home in 1920: Vashon, King, WA. Married, wife to HOH. Occupation: Proprietress of Hotel. Additional household members: F. C. Shanahan, age 54 (husband), A. Richter, age 65 (mother).  

1930  Minnie R. Shanahan. Age: 57. Birth Year: abt 1873 in Oregon. Home in 1930: 45 Vashon Dock Rd. No. 2, Vashon, King, WA. Married, wife to HOH. Additional household members: Fred C. Shanahan, age 65 (husband), Albertina Richter, age 79 (mother).  

1940  Minnie R. Shanahan. Age: 67. Birth Year: abt 1873 in Oregon. Home in 1940: Vashon, King, WA. Married, wife to HOH. Additional household member: Fred C. Shanahan, age 74. 

Frederick Clifford Shanahan. Birth: 1865, Oregon. Death: 30 Dec 1944 (aged 78-79) Seattle, King County, WA. Burial: Lee Mission Cemetery, Salem, Marion County, OR. Plot: OLD 095-03. Memorial ID: 27534681