Meeker County MN Archives Biographies.....Shields, John S. 1830 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 December 24, 2019, 9:19 pm

Source: Alden, Ogle & Co.
Author: See Below

HON. JOHN S. SHIELDS, the present state senator from Meeker county, is a resident of
Darwin township, living upon his fine and extensive farm on section 34. He is a
native of Ottawa, Canada, horn November 8, 1830, and is of Irish ancestry, at least
upon his father’s side. He was reared and educated in the Dominion of his birth
until 1859, when he came to the United States, and from June until the following
fall remained mostly in the city of Minneapolis. During this time he came to Meeker
county, and prospected, spending July 4, 1859, here, and the following August came
here and made a settlement at Forest City, where he resided until that winter, when
he located where he now lives. Previous to leaving his home, on the 24th of May,
1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Kenney, and with his young wife
came through the Big Woods to the new settlement. Mr. Shields furnished the labor
toward making the first United States flag ever floated in Meeker county, J. B.
Atkinson furnishing the cloth and Thomas Grayson the paint. He was appointed in
1860, by the State, to cut a road through the Big Woods, and did so about this time,
and through it hauled the merchandise for a merchant at Forest City, which was the
first load brought that way. Mr. Shields remained upon his farm until the sad times
of the fall of 1862, but on the terrible Sabbath of the 17th of August, he heard the
news of the Indian outbreak and went to Forest City to investigate. He returned and
warned all within his reach. He took part in the inquest, and all the subsequent
movements of the settlers as detailed elsewhere. He sent his wife and children to
Clearwater, but he remained in Forest City and took part in all the marches,
engagements, etc., of the Home Guards, although not mustered into the company. When
the attack was made by the Indians on Forest City, Mr. Shields was sleeping in the
barn with the sixty horses of the Home Guards, and on the commencement of the firing
untied his two horses and endeavored to get to the stockade, but one horse was shot,
and with the other he got away. This was the only horse saved out of the lot. Many
more incidents of his bravery could be given did not space forbid, but it is enough
to say that he did his duty manfully.

   He afterward went to Minneapolis, where he remained until 1865, but in the fall
of that year returned to this county and to his farm where he now lives. He has
occupied several responsible positions since coming here, including that of chairman
of the town board, assessor, town clerk, and justice of the peace, and was elected
to represent the county in the State Senate in 1886, on the Farmers’ Alliance
ticket, of which organization he is the present president. He is the father of the
following six children: Isabella, born April 15, 1860, and died October 29, 1879;
Ellen J., born December 19, 1864; William A., born August 20, 1868; Maggie E., born
April 2, 1870; and Charles A., born October 2, 1872. On the 11th of December, 1874,
the death angel invaded this little family circle and drew from their affectionate
embrace the beloved wife and mother, leaving only her memory in their inner hearts,
where it is forever enshrined. Mr. Shields is an attendant upon the services of the
Episcopal church, and an upright, honorable gentleman.

   In the fall of 1886, as above mentioned, Mr. Shields was elected to represent his
district in the State Senate, took his seat at the opening of the Twenty fifth
Legislature, and holds that office at the present writing. In the last session he
was among the most active and influential members of that body, and ably represented
his constituents in a session which was among the most important held in the history
of the State. His influence and ability were recognized in the formation of the
senate committees, and none more zealously favored and aided anti-monopoly
legislation. He has been identified with Minnesota matters for more than a quarter
of a century and is well informed as to its history. An able parliamentarian, a
clearheaded and careful business man, he has accumulated a comfortable fortune.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
Illustrated Album of Biography
Meeker and McLeod Counties, Minnesota
1888


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