Central California Biographies

A memorial and biographical history of the coast counties of Central California : illustrated : containing 
a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its discovery to the 
present time, together with glimpses of its auspicious future, illustrations and full-page portraits of 
some of its eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers, and prominent citizens of 
to-day (1893)

Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Author: Barrows, Henry D; Ingersoll, Luther A

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 


JOHN SHIELDS, an esteemed pioneer of California, crossed the plains from Keokuk, 
Iowa, via Council Bluffs, and the northern route, in 1852, being six months in 
making the journey. Upon his arrival in the Golden State, he first located in Shasta county, 
where he lived two years, from there going to Trinity county. Here he devoted four- 
teen years of his life to mining, and was favored with average success. Since April, 
1870, he has been a resident of San Benito county. 

Mr. Shields was born in Ireland, in 1831, and at the age of seventeen came to America. 
His life has been one of industry and sobriety. In San Benito he has developed a 
fine estate, has a comfortable home, and has reared a family of seven children, all of whom 
are capable of taking independent and honorable positions in life. 

He was married in Santa Clara county, in 1864, to Miss Julia Wallace, a lady of ster- 
ling qualities, and who proved herself a faithful wife and devoted mother. She died in 
1892. The names of their children are: Frank, Augustus, Agnes, Ida, John, George 
and Murty. Frank and his brother-in-law, J. E,. Young, are engaged in the Garden City 
Brass Works, at San Jose. 

Mr. Shields was reared in the Catholic faith. In politics, he is an out-and-out 
Prohibitionist.