My Genealogy Hound

PATRICK SHIELDS, farmer; P. O. Delisle; was born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1831; his parents, Isaac and Elizabeth Shields, had born unto them thirteen children, of whom ten are now living; his father and mother were natives of Preble County. Mr. Shields was the second child of his parents, and came with them to Darke County in 1838, and located in Van Buren Township, where he has lived to the present time, with the exception of three years, in which he lived north of here about fifteen miles. In 1853, Mr. Shields was united in marriage with Mary J., daughter of Caleb and Mary Brown; to them have been born eight children all of whom are now living, three boys and five girls, viz., Nancy, Mary Alice, Caleb, Elizabeth, William L., Laura May, Ada and Donovan F. Mr. Shields though not one of the oldest, but yet an early settler, says he remembers well of the many hunts after wolves, bears and various kinds of game, which were then so plentiful; Mr. Shields commenced farming twenty-seven years ago, with a capital of $80, one cow and half a dozen chickens, and from this small beginning has by industry, frugality, skill and management, advanced step by step toward success, till now he is the owner of 221 acres of land, all under cultivation, and as good land as any in the township; has a good, two-story frame house, nearly new, and everything convenient and comfortable. During all this labor, Mr. Shields paid in support of the war of the rebellion about $1,600; he is still a man in middle age and with the fine competency he has obtained, the ability with which he handles his means, the industrious habits, and interesting family he has to help him on, he will in all probability arise to a prominence among the residents of the county; he is a living example in correct business habits for his children and future generations in time to come.