Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-08-01
About General Shields.

About General Shields.
The story is going the rounds of the
press that the venerable General Shields,
at the age of eighty-two years, is living
on little farm in Ohio in abjectly des-
titute circumstances. There must be
some mistake about this. Uuless we
greatly err congress some years ago
granted a pension of $4,000 year to this
old hero of two wars. If he is in the
receipt of such pension it follows that
he cannot be living in poverty unless
he is such poor manager that he can
not manage to exist on dead sure in
come of nearly $500 day. If General
Shields is not receiving liberal pension
from the government congress should
grant him one at once, even before the
present session closes. He rendered
splendid and efficient service in the war
with Mexico and later in the civil war.
Why, if only the wounds he received in
battle were taken in consideration Gen
eral Shields would be entitled to a pen
sion OF no mean proportion, but in such
q case the distinguished service render
ed the country should also be considered.
General Shields is one of the few heroes
OF two wars now living, and he is also
the only American citizen who has had
the honor of representing two different
states in the United States senate. If
this old patriot and soldier is not amply
provided for, such provisions should be
made forthwith. But we think there is
mistake about his being in destitute
circumstances.
The above clipping is from the
Progress, and was sent to the TRIBUNE by
resident of Freeland, with request
that the history of General Shields life
be looked up. According to several
biographies in this office we find that
the article is correct, so far as it relates
to his war record and his services in the
senate. We are, however, unable to
verify the statement that he is in desti-
tute circumstances in Ohio, as the brave
old general died at Ottumwa, Iowa, on
June l, 1879, and if he is in need of help
it is not within the power of congress to
grant it. The following is biography
of his life as it appears in the "Annual
Cyclopedia" of 1872
General James Shields was born at
Dungannon, Tyrone county, Ireland, in
1910, died at Ottumwa, Iowa, June l.,
1879. He emigrated to the United States
in 1926, studied law, and commenced the
practice OF his profession in Kaskaskia
Illinois, in 1882. He was man of fine
personal presence, and possessed rich,
sonorous voice, which he knew how to
use to advantage. His manners were
pleasing and cultivated, and there was
an attraction about him which made il
an easy matter for him to become a
leader in anything in which he took q
part. Much of the success of his life
resulted from this gift. In 1886 he was
elected to the Legislature from Randolph
county, and while at the capital made
the acquaintance of Stephen A. Douglas,
Abraham Lincoln, John ]. Hardin and
others of subsequent distinction. In
1889 he was elected state auditor, in 1919
was appointed a judge of the state su-
preme court, and in 1S45 commissioner
of the general land office. When the
war with Mexico broke out he was ap.
pointed brigadier-general by President
Polk, and was assigned to the command
of the Illinois Volunteers. He served
under General Taylor on the Rio Grande
under General Wool at Chihuahua, and
under General Scott at the capture Of
the City of Mexico. AT the battle oil
Cerro Gordo he was dangerously wound
ed by ball passing through his right
lung and barely missing his spine. After
his recovery he was engaged in the bat
ties around the city of Mexico. At Cha.
pultepec he was more seriously wounded
by ball in his stomach, and in recogni
tion of his services he was brevetted
major-general. In lS48 he was appoint
ed by the president governor of Oregon
territory, which office he resigned tc
accept that of United States senator from
limos. lie served until 1855 and after
ward took up his residence in Minnesota
ana upon Its admission as state in 1855
was elected senator for the term of two
years. lie then removed to California,
Where ne remained two years and mar
ried the wife who survives him. In
1861 he was commissioned a bripadier.
general, and joined the right wing of the
Army of the Potomac At Kernstown
and Port Republic he came nearer de.
feating General "Stonewall" Jackson
than any other Federal general ever did
lie resigned his commission in 1868 and
settled in Wisconsin, but soon after re
moved to Carrollton, Missouri, where
he resumed the practice of his profes
sion, and served as railroad commits
sioner. In 1874 he represented Carol
county in the legislature, and in January,
1879, he was elected by the Legislature
to serve out the unexpired term (six
weeks of the deceased Senator Bogg
On his return he was rendered a recep
tlon at Jefferson City, which took place
IN the hall of the house of representa-
tives. He made lengthy and very
successful address. With the exception
of an occasional lecture or address TO as.
sembblages of private citizens, he after
ward remained in retirement.