SHIELDS, William H.

SHIELDS, JENNINGS

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/14/2014 at 13:43:32

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. Pp. 247-49. Chicago. 1915.

WILLIAM H. SHIELDS

William H. Shields, of Leon, has met with gratifying success in the real-estate business. He was born in Eddyville, Iowa, on the 6th of October, 1865, a son of Isaac and Jennie Shields, who removed to Iowa in 1850. The father, although a native of Ireland, emigrated to the United States and settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, when but nineteen years of age, remaining there until his removal west. He engaged in merchandising for many years and was quite prominent in his community, serving in various local offices. His political belief was that of the republican party. Both he and his wife have passed away. To their union were born six children, of whom four survive, our subject, a brother at Eddyville, one at Frederick, Iowa, and one at Mount Ayr.

William H. Shields was reared under the parental roof and was given educational advantages. After completing the public-school course he entered Penn College at Oskaloosa, where he remained for two years, and he received a thorough business training through assisting his father with the work of the store. When about twenty-one years old his health began to fail so he left the store and began farming, which occupation he followed until 1913. For many years he has been associated with A. L. Ackerley in banking and in the real-estate business, the firm having interests at Leon and Grand River. In April, 1914, Mr. Shields removed to Leon, where he is now residing, and he has gained a place among the representative and prosperous business men of this city. He deals in both farm and city property and usually buys and sells outright. He has at various times held title to large tracts of land and for a quarter of a century owned an excellent farm in Grand River township, upon which he resided until he removed to Leon and which he has recently sold. He still owns three hundred and sixty acres in Eden township, one and a half miles south of Leon, and receives a handsome addition to his income from his land.

Mr. Shields was married in Decatur countv to Miss Amy Jennings, who was born in Ohio but was reared in this state, as the family removed here when she was but a child. Her father farmed in Grand River township and was well known among the early residents of that township. During the Civil war he fought valiantly in the defense of the Union. Mr. and Mrs. Shields have three daughters, Lulu, Ruth and Margaret, all attending school.

Mr. Shields is a republican and has been honored by election to all of the local offices, which he has filled with satisfaction to his constituents. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America and both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, whose teachings are the guiding principles of their lives. He has succeeded in business and has also won the sincere respect and esteem of his fellowmen, who recognize his integrity and honesty.

NOTE: WIlliam H. Shields died in 1945. Amy S. (Jennings) Shields died in 1938. Ruth E. Shields died in 1952. They were interred at Leon Cemetery, Leon IA.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014