Bio of Shields, Patrick (b.1831) Wabasha Co., MN
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1884.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab1.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Shields, Patrick, Patrick Shields was born in County Galway, Ireland, in the
year 1831. His parents, Stephen and Bridget (Laylor) Shields (or Shiel)
were small farmers. When twenty-six years old he emigrated to the United
States, and found work in the Stark cotton mills at Manchester, New
Hampshire. Here he espoused Margret Beggan, also a native of Galway
county. In 1859 he removed his family to Fox Lake, Wisconsin, where he
worked on a farm until just prior to the breaking out of the great
rebellion. About this time he came to Wabasha county, and bought out a
squatter on section 30, in Highland township. He now occupies a farm on
section 29 in the same township, and has in addition to this place another
of eighty acres on sections 20 and 21. His wife is an invalid, but has
borne him the following children, viz: Mrs. Elizabeth Rodney, of Highland;
John, born February 5, 1858, a young man of good business ability and fine
education, residing at home; Maggy Curran, born October 12, 1859; Hanore,
born July 30, 1861; Mary, born September 29, 1867. In early pioneer days
Mr. Shield used to go barefoot in cold weather, as he was too poor to
purchase suitable covering for his feet, and has endured many other
hardships, but is now in comfortable circumstances. Four years after his
arrival in Highland he sold his original claim for two thousand dollars in
cash. He is a Catholic, but in politics independent.
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1920.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab3.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Shields, Patrick (page 330), was for many years a familiar figure in
Wabasha County life. All who knew this genial old man of Erin's soil were
charmed with his lovable personality, and his wont was to scatter sunshine
in the daily lives of all with whom he came in contact. He was one of the
few remaining pioneers of this section. It is said that when he first came
here there were but a few buildings in Plainview, and those small and
primitive. During his early life on Greenwood Prairie he endured many
hardships. But though he was in no better circumstances than his
neighbors, he believed n a full observance of all the amenities of
cultured life, and he took pride in presenting a neat and trim appearance.
For his was a will full of courage, and he labored incessantly until he
had accumulated a competence. No one knew Pat Shields, as he was lovingly
called, but to honor and respect him. He was a man among men, honorable in
all his dealings, and honest to a fault. Best of all he was of that happy,
jovial disposition that spread happiness, and brightness wherever he
chanced to be. A true friend who never forgot a kind act or word, ever
ready to assist the needy, and do for others in less fortunate
circumstances, he could not countenance a wrong. Although he had nearly
attained his eighty-seventh birthday, those who were not aware of the fact
could not realize his advanced years. Spry, active and buoyant, it was his
pleasure to announce that he was still young and active. That he is missed
by young and old need not be said. There are few who can number more
friends than he. He was a devoted member of the Catholic church,
independent in politics, thought and deed. He died January 1, 1918. His
time had come and he was willing to go, for he had often expressed the
desire that when he became feeble he might not linger longer on this
earth. Patrick Shields was born in Daylstown, County Galway, Ireland, in
1831, son of Stephen and Bridget (Laylor) Shields, who lived on a small
farm. The original family name was Shiel, several of that name having
taken a prominent part in the early history of Ireland. Patrick was reared
as a farmer. At the age of twenty-two he came to the United States and
found employment at the cotton mills of Manchester, N. H. In 1858 he came
west to Fox Lake, Wis., where he resumed his former occupation as a
farmer. At about the outbreak of Civil War he came to Wabasha county, and
bought out a squatter on section 30, Highland Township. By strenuous
effort and self sacrifice, he developed this farm until four years later
when he was enabled to sell it for $2,000 in cash, a very comfortable sum
in those days. Then he purchased a farm in section 29 in the same
township. To this he later added an eighty-acre tract in sections 20 and
21. With the passage of the years he acquired a competence, and was held
in high regard by his neighbors and associates as a man of honesty and
uprightness, rich in the possession of an untarnished name. Patrick
Shields was married in Manchester, N. H., to Margaret Beegan, also a
native of County Galway. This union has been blessed with five children:
Elizabeth, John, Margaret, Hanore and Mary. Elizabeth was born in
Manchester, N. H., January 14, 1855, married Thomas Rodney, and died
November 17, 1884; John was born in Fox Lake, Wis., February 5, 1858, and
died November 7, 1918. Margaret was born at Fox Lake, Wis., October 12,
1859, and married John Curran, now of Highland Township. Hanore was born
in Highland Township, July 30, 1861, and married G. L. Carpenter, now of
Oakwood Township. Mary was born in Highland Township, September 29, 1867,
and is the wife of Philip Welti, of Plainview. Mrs. Shields attended
faithfully to the duties of her household, and was her husband's
sympathetic helpmeet in all his undertakings. She was a faithful wife and
a dutiful mother, and her death July 9, 1895, was sincerely mourned.