Atlas of Darke County, Ohio, 1875 (Lake Griffing and Stevenson, Philadelphia, p. 8): Patrick Shields Biographical Sketch
[Inserted information added by Audrey (Shields) Hancock]

There is now living at Delisle [in Darke County, Ohio] a man [Patrick Shields] who has had a rather eventful life. Pat [Patrick] Shields was born in the north of Ireland, September 15, 1784, and is consequently now in his 92^nd year. He came to America in 1791, and after living for three years in Pennsylvania, he removed to Cincinnati [Hamilton County, Ohio], where he landed October 15, 1794. [Early pioneers moved from Pennsylvania across land and by boats and barges down the Ohio River to settle in Hamilton County, Ohio.] [In those days Hamilton County encompassed a vast territory which eventually was split into other counties.] He [Patrick] lived for a time with General [William Henry] Harrison, and attended school at his expense. He went as a substitute in the army of [Gen. William] Hull, and was present at the disgraceful surrender [at Detroit] of that General [William Hull]. He [Patrick] was afterwards an express-rider for Gen. [William Henry] Harrison, and in 1814 rode from Fort Meigs [Located in Perrysburg near Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio.] to Cincinnati [Hamilton County, Ohio] in two days. He passed through Cleveland [Ohio] in 1814, when there were but three log cabins there. He had been married twice, and has had twenty-two children, twelve of whom are yet living. [Only two marriages are known and verified by documents, although some records indicate he was married two or three times.] His first marriage license was issued June 16, 1806 [Certainly this was his marriage to Mary Fogle.], during a total eclipse of the sun, so that the candles had to be lit. [FACT: There was a total eclipse on this date.] He has been in twenty-three states and territories, and in his time was considered the best auctioneer and one of the keenest lawyers in the western country. He is now supported by a pension, and although his frame is bent with the weight of years, his mind is still vigorous and his memory unimpaired.