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 ILLIAM J. SHIELDS, a native of Coles County, was born on the farm of his father, in Oakland Township, May 5, 1844, and at an early age became intimately acquainted with the routine of farm life, which he has since followed as the vocation of his choice, and by means of which he has built up a good home and surrounded himself with all the comforts of life. His property is pleasantly located on section 28, in the township of his birth, and he has naturally become identified with the interests of the people around him, both socially and financially. The parents of our subject were John and Sarah (Sublet) Shields, the former born in Jennings County, Ind., Oct. 1, 1814. The mother was a native of Kentucky, her birth taking place in Garrard County, July 28, 1819. Both came to Illinois with their parents when young people, and were married in Charleston, this county, in October, 1835. In due time they became the parents of eleven children, of whom seven are still living: Elzina died in infancy; Susanna died when about five years of age; Rebecca married John H. Patton and lives near Hinesboro, Ill.; William J., of our sketch, was the fourth child; James died young; Lucinda J. became the wife of Justin H. Hanley, now Sheriff of Edgar County; Jessie M. is living near Camargo, Douglas County; Daniel; Nancy B., who married J. H. Comstock, and Sarah E., the wife of Wilford Dean, are residents of Edgar County; John M. died in infancy. John Shields officiated for a period of thirty years as a minister of the Predestinarian Baptist Church, commencing his labors at Sugar Creek Church, in 1843. His standing in the ministry was of the highest, and the number of persons baptized by him ran up into the hundreds. He was serving the Providence Church in Edgar County, when death overtook him, May 13, 1873. William J. Shields received but a limited education in his youth, attending school only occasionally during the winter season, his time being otherwise employed on his father’s farm. One of the most important events of his early manhood was his marriage, which took place Oct. 29, 1862, his chosen bride being Miss Mary E. Buckler, and the ceremony being performed by Rev. Coleman E. Dawson, of the Baptist Church. Of this union there were born three children Jesse, John T. and Alma A. The mother died Feb. 22, 1877. The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married Jan. 23, 1879, Thomas Wyatt, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, officiating, was formerly Miss Ann E. Spry. She was born in Ohio, Feb. 8, 1850, and is the daughter of Isaac H. and Catherine (Hunter) Spry, both also born in Ohio, in about 1818. They were married in their native State, and came to Illinois in 1857, locating near Murdock, where they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Shields have one child, a daughter, Bertha. Mr. S., realizing the disadvantages of limited schooling, is giving his children a good education, and fitting them for intelligent and useful members of society. The father of Mr. Shields left him forty acres of land, which he afterward sold, and purchased his present homestead of fifty acres, which he has brought to an excellent state of cultivation, believing with Horace Greeley, that a small acreage well tilled is more advantageous than a large area partially neglected. The farm buildings are convenient and comfortable, and every thing about the premises denotes the industry and thrift of the proprietor. |
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