Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-10
AN OLD CITIZEN DEAD
MIR. JAS. WYATT SHIELDS PASSED
AWAY YESTERDAY MORNING..
HIS A LONG And USEFUL LIPE.
Owned Considerable Property In
Richmond and Was n Most Enter
prising Man-IIIs Wife Now Criti-
caIIy Ill at the Old Homestead.

Mr.. James Wyatt Shields, one OF Rich.
monds oldest and most prosperous citi-
zens. who resided here during the greater
portion OF a useful life OF S6 years. du-
ring which he accumulated, by thrift ana
close attention to his affairs, a consider
able fortune, died at an early hour yes
terday morning at his beautiful. old
home, on the corner Of Nineteenth and
Grace streets. He had been Ill only
about eight weeks, and his death was
due to a general giving away Of his sys-
tem which had gradually been impaired
by the ravages Of age.
Mr.. Shields was perhaps the largest
owner of Richmond property in this city.
and probably did as much during his long
life here as any other one man toward
the upbuiding Of the eastern portion Of
Virginia's old capital. He was a man Of
great enterprise and indomitable energy.
and was held In the highest esteem by
a large circleso OF friends. who survive to
mourn his death.
HIS LIES HISTORY.
Mr.. Shields was born in Warwick coun-
ty on the 1st day OF January, lsli; and.
when yet boy. moved 10 this city. with
his parents. Matthew Wyatt Shields and
Mary Royster Bell Shields. He attended
school with old Parson Hart. one OF this
city's old-time tutors, as his instructor.
When young man he engaged In the
foundry business with Sampson. Peay Ss
Co., whose place of busines was then
in rear of the Second Presbyterian church.
out the war. and during those four
years Of strife was engaged I'm the manu-
facture Of bombs for the Confederate
army.
After the war Mr.. Shields retired from
active business. and began investing in
Richmond real estate. i'm which he al
ways had an abiding faith. He invested
largely in Church Hill property, and he
1t was who did the greater part of the
work Of improving Church Hill avenue.
WAS TWICE MARRIED.
Deceased married early in life, Miss
Mary Ann Wilson. of Charles City coun-
ty and one son. Rev. James w. Shields.
OF the Episcopal Church. resulted from
that marriage. He died at Orkney Springs
on August 1, 1880, and left widow and
one daughter.
After the death OF his first wife, Mr..
Shields, the elder. married Miss Caroline
Beck. of this city, who survives him,
though now extremely Ill, having been
stricken with paralysis three months ago.
DR.. Charles NJ. Shields the eminent
eye and ear specialist, is the only son OF
the second union.
Deceased was for twenty-five years the
senior warden of old st. Johns church,
and one of his last acts was TO superin-
tend the repairing OF the steeple OF that
ancient edifice after ifs injury by the
storm come months age. a.-s.-..--
WAS A POLICE COMMISSIONER.
Mr.. Shields served the city for six years
in the capacity of Police Commissioner.
retiring from Office about ten years ago.
He took the keenest interest in all things
pertaining TO the city's affairs, and even
during his final Illness had himself kept
posted as to what was going on in Rich
mond. He was especially interested in
the proposed erection by the Chesapeake
and Ohio OF a new depot on lower Main
street.
Deceased was one of the Oldest odd
Fellows in the city. though he hadn't
attended lodge during late years.
The funeral will take place from st.
Johns church this afternoon at $3.50
o'clock and the vestrymen OF that church
will act as rall-bearers. Rev r. A.
Goodwin. pastor of the church, will con-
duct the services, and the interment will
be In Hollywood.