The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1905-10-04
DAVID 3. SHIELDS,

Judge, was born near the village of Bax-
ter, Jefferson county, Jan, II, 1850, in
which locality he grew to young man
hood, attending the public schools until
he was 10 years of age. At that tender
age he began his career in the lumber
woods during the winters, in the spring
rafting and running lumber on Redbank
creek and the Allegheny River. His
summers were spent in working on the
farm. In 1871 he was united in marriage
with Miss Rebecca Brown, also of Jeffer-
son county. From the years 1879 to 1890
Mr.. Shields was engaged in carpenter
work, being employed a part of that
time in bridge building for the Allegheny
Valley railroad. As mark of his sue
cess at the carpenter trade, many build
ings in the vicinity of his home stand as
monuments to day.
In the spring of 1890 Mr.. Shields en-
gagged in numbering in Forest county,
having as partners in the business his
brother, ]. II. Shields, and r. NJ. Morri-
son. At this period he moved with his
family, consisting Of wife, one son and
one daughter, 10 jerks township, this
county, locating in the heart of an i'm
mense hemlock forest on Big Salmon
creek two and half miles north of Ma
rienville. Here he superintended the
erection of substantial mill and began
the manufacture of hemlock lumber, the
firm name being r. NJ. Morrison & Co.
In 1852 Mr.. Morrison sold his interest in
the property TO his partners, who sue
cessfully conducted the plant till they
had finished the tract. 1t was here that
Mr.. Shields, by hard work from the grey
dawn of morning till late at night made
his real start financially. He did his
days work on the mill besides planning
and arranging all the outside work, and
at night, while others were asleep, kept
his books. and he knows by experience
what it is to fill every post on a saw mill,
keting of the lumber.
In the spring of 1896 Mr.. Shields was
attacked with grip, which terminated in
rheumatism, and finally in leaving him
a cripple for life. During this illness his
life hung in the balance for many weeks,
and it seemed only indomitable will and
pluck that pulled him through. Finish
ing up his numbering operations an Sal
mon creek, Mr.. Shields engaged in
numbering again in 1889 at what is now
known as Loleta, his partners being G..
w. Amsler, J. c. Campbell and c. R.
Vasbinder. Here he and Mr.. Campbell
erected one of the finest numbering
plants in the state, in the center of a
3600- acre tract of hemlock. The follow
ing year his health again broke down
and he was obliged to relinquish for a
time active labor, and for three months
he was treated at a Buffalo hospital. He
disposed OF his numbering interests and
moved to Marienville where he has since
resided. In the great fire which almost
wiped the town off the map Mr.. Shields
was heavy loser, yet with that generosity
which has characterized his whole life, he
gave his check to the relief committee for
$500, besides extending helping hand
in many other directions to the sufferers
in that awful conflagration.
During all the years of his active busi-
ness life in which he has employed hum
dreds of men, no one has ever heard a
complaint from any of them against their
employer, but on the contrary no man
ever worked for him who would not
again gladly enter his employ, and who
have only praise to give of the treatment
received at his hands.
Mr.. Shields has been from principle a
Republican all his life, believing the sue
cess of that party to be for the best inter-
est ofall concerned, especially the man
who is obliged to earn his bread by the
sweat of his brow. He has never hereto
fore sought an Office, but has frequently
been called upon to fill positions of trust
in township affairs, and at present is an
honored member of the school board of
jerks township. He is one of the pleas
antest and most hospitable of men, and a
tower of strength for good in his COM
munity. A man whose honor has never
been questioned, and who would adorn
the Office for which his party has nomi-
mated him; one who would carry no ha-
tired or malice upon the Bench, and who
would retire with greater honor and more
friends than when he entered upon the
responsible duties of the Office of Asso-
ciate Judge. Such man ought to and
will be elected.