Disclaimer:

Information presented on this website is based upon facts and information available at this time from sources as cited. Much is still lacking validation in many areas. Some conclusions are made based upon preponderance of evidence. Perhaps in time other information will be discovered to prove some statements as incorrect. Sources used may include primary records, secondary records, and others' research: birth records, death records, burial records, marriage records, court records, census records, obituaries, Bible records, research and information from others. Know that even the primary records have errors as many times the informer was another who gave incorrect data...very evident in death records, obituaries and census records. Spelling by clerks/recorders and penmanship left much to be desired. Many of our ancestors were illiterate or spoke with their foreign accent or brogue making an even more difficult task for the clerks/recorders. Many records were lost in courthouse fires and floods. ASH

"ISAAC M. SHIELDS, Farmer; P. O. Arcanum; was born in this county and township in 1846 (sic); his parents were Isaac and Elizabeth Shields, natives of Preble County, further record of whom is made in sketch of Amanda Weaver. Mr. Shields has always followed farming having bought and sold several farms, upon which he lived for longer or shorter times, until in the spring 1874, he bought the farm where he now lives, and moved on it in the spring of 1875, since which he has built a large brick house, a very fine barn and made other improvements, and has now one of the finest residences in the township. When Mr. Shields started in life, he had not capital of any amount, he is now owner of 280 acres of land, 220 is now under good cultivation; this large property with all improvements he has become owner by his own activity, industry and shrewd management, and is still a young man of 33 years of age, just in the prime of life; and should his health be spared, he has every prospect of becoming one of the wealthiest men of the township. He is the father of seven (sic) children six being now living. They are, viz: Amanda Elizabeth, Isaac Mathias, Susanna, Minnie Rosella, Elva Marriah, William Roy. He was one of those who, at the call of his country during the rebellion, allowed his patriotism to carry him forward to its defense; he enlisted early in the War of 1862, in the 110th Regiment, In Co. B. O. V. I., and served through the war, returning safely to his loved ones at home. In this sketch we are pleased to put upon the pages of the History of Darke County one of its citizens, a young man whose record shall stand bright and shining light of industry, success and true patriotism to his children and children's children and all generations, as a worthy example to follow; and if they do follow it, it will lead to the sure road to success and prosperity.

(Source: "History of Darke County, Ohio," Beers, 1880, Van Buren Twp., Biographical Sketches: ISAAC M. SHIELDS, pp. 733-734)

Shields, I.
Township 9, Range 3, Section 33
Shields, I. M.
Township 9, Range 3, Section 10
Shields, Isaac M.
Township 9, Range 3, Section 22

Passes Away. Well Known Lady Breathes Her Last. Leaves Husband and Nine Children. Mrs. I.M. Shields, aged 67 years died at her home one and a half miles north of Arcanum, Tuesday morning (Mar. 17) at 7:15 after suffering the past six months from cancer. She leaves a husband, three sons and six daughters and nineteen grandchildren. The sons—Ray, Mat and George. The daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Curtner, Mrs. Susan Bowers, Mrs. I.B. Robbins, Mrs. Florence Landis, Mrs. Olive Wogerman, Mrs. Elva Miller. Funeral services to be held Friday (May 20) morning at 9:00 o’clock by Rev. C.W. Hoeffer of Hollansburg. Burial at Abbottsville.

In Memoriam. Mrs. Ellen Shields wife of Isaac Shields was born one mile and a half north of Arcanum, Ohio July 31st, 1846 and died at her home near the place of her birth March 17, 1914, aged 67 years, 7 months and 17 days. She was the daughter of Matthias and Amanda Weaver, old time pioneers of Van Buren township and she lived the whole of her life within a mile of her birth place. She was married to Isaac Shields Nov. 14, 1863 by Rev. Mordicai Ford. To this union were born ten children, one who preceded mother, in infancy. She united with the U.B. Church at Ninevah about forty one years ago. She had been ill for five years and bed ridden for six months. Services at Abbottsville Church Friday, March 20 at 10:30 by Rev. C.W. Hoeffer of Hollansburg. She leaves a husband, six daughters, three sons, six sisters and 2 brothers, 20 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren.

A Fine Monument. The Miami Granite and Marble Works of Piqua, Ohio this week contracted with I.M. Shields of north of Arcanum for a fine $4000. Monument to be erected in Abbottsville Cemetery in memory of his wife, who died several months ago. The monument will be surpassed by one monument in Darke County, that of Henry St. Clair in Greenville Cemetery. It will be by far the most impressive structure in Abbottsville Cemetery. The weight will be over 50 tons and will be 22 feet in height. The top will be surmounted with a beautiful urn with pendums of lillies of the valley.

Erects Monument. The Isaac M. Shields Monument in the Abbottsville Cemetery. Heaviest Monument in the County. The heaviest monument ever erected in Darke County by any individual is that of I.M. Shields which was erected in Abbottsville Cemetery last week. The passerby will hardly fail to notice the imposing granite memorial that stands out far above the others in the west end of the cemetery. At the base the stone is 8 feet square and from this it mounts upward to a height of 26 feet. The weight of the entire stone is 55 tons. The monument is a fine piece of work and a credit to the company that erected it. It is cut out of Light Barre Granite. The approximate cost is $4000. Many claim it is the finest in the county with the exception of the St. Clair monument in the Greenville Cemetery. The work was erected by Miami Granite and Marble Co. and the entire construction was done in their plant opposite Forest Hill Cemetery in Piqua. Incidentally, Mr. J.J. Comolli, President and General Manager is a native of Barre, Vermont where he and his father worked in the granite quarries until several years ago. Picture of I.M. Shields monument—1/2 page adv. by Piqua Monument Co. [Piqua, Miami County, Ohio]

I, Isaac M. Shields, of Van Buren Township, Darke County, Ohio, being of sound and disposing mind and memory and desiring to make such disposition of my estate as seems best to me, do make and publish and declare this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all my former wills and codicils.

Item first--I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid.

Item second--I direct that all of my property both real and personal be sold and that the proceeds of the sale of my property be divided as follows.

Item third--It is my will that the sum of one thousand ($1000.00) dollars received from the sale of the property be held in trust by my son, George L. Shields, and in the event of his death that his oldest son hold such money in trust and in the event of both their deaths, that the said sum of money so held in trust be then deposited with some Trust Company or Bank for the purpose and object of this trust and I hereby declare the object of said trust shall be for the purpose of caring for and maintaining the lots and graves and monuments and urns, belonging to myself and my immediate family that are situate in the Abbottsville Cemetery in Darke County, Ohio, and I direct that the said Trustees shall invest the one thousand ($1000.00) dollars in first mortgage securites and that the income from such investments shall be used for the purposes herein enumerated. That, the said Trustees shall take good care of the lots and graves and monuments and urns and shall replace the metal flowers now on said graves, when necessary.

Item four--I give and devise to my children, Manda Elizabeth Curtner, Isaac Matthew (sic) Shields, Susan Bowers, Minnie Rosella Robbins, Elva Miller, LeRoy Shields, George L. Shields, Florence Landis, and Olive Wogerman all of the balance of the proceeds of the sale of my real and personal property, to be divided equally among them and in the event of the death of any of my children, then their issue is to take and receive the same share that their parents would have received, if alive.

Item five--It is my will that the five lots I now own in Abbottsville Cemetery and not used as family lots, be sold and the proceeds divided the same as provided for in Item Four of this will.

Item six--I hereby appoint my son, the said George L. Shields, the executor of this, my last will and testament, and I hereby authorize him as such executor to sell and convey all or any part of my real or personal property without the intervention of any Court, on such terms and for such prices, as to him may seem best and to make and execute such deeds as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this will.

Witness my hand this third day of January, nineteen hundred and twenty.

(Signed) I. M. Shields

The foregoing instrument was signed, sealed, declared and acknowledged by Isaac M. Shields, as and for his last will and testament in our presence, and subscribed by us as witnesses, at his request, in his presence, on this third day of January, Nineteen hundred and Twenty.

Geo. W. Porter
F.A. Billingsley

[Note: In the will transcripton above of Isaac M. Shields, the name of his son, Isaac Mathias Shields, is given as Isaac Matthew Shields. Transcriber unknown. ASH]

Shields Farm Sold for $12,150. Thursday (Nov. 20). The Isaac M. Shields farm, located one mile north of Arcanum was sold last Thursday afternoon at public sale for $12,150. The farm was bid off by Denver Curtner. The farm consists of 80 acres and is well improved.

Pioneer Farmer and Civil War Veteran Answers Call. Isaac M. Shields, prominent farmer of Van Buren township died at his home one mile north of Arcanum last Friday night (Sept. 14) shortly after 8 o’clock. Mr. Shields was 79 years and was born in Darke County. He was a member of the GAR and served in the 110th OVI, Co. A. He is survived by three sons—Roy Shields, George Shields and Mat Shields. Six daughters—Mrs. Chas. Bowers, Mrs. Edw. Curtner, Mrs. Isaac Robbins, Mrs. Wilson Landis,, Mrs. Harry Wogoman and Mrs. William Miller. Funeral held Monday afternoon (Sept. 17) at Abbottsville Church with Rev. Hoeffer assisted by Rev. J.A.Pantle. Burial at Abbottsville Cemetery.

Auction. Monday Oct. 22, 1923, 1 mile north of Arcanum at Stop 66 on the Dayton and Northern Traction. Personal Property of Isaac M. Shields, dec’d by George L. Shields, Executor. C.A. Roll, auctioneer and Bud Corwin, clerk. (Arcanum Times Oct. 4, 1923)

Shields Farm Sold for $12,150. Thursday (Nov. 20. 1923). The Isaac M. Shields farm, located one mile north of Arcanum was sold last Thursday afternoon at public sale for $12,150. The farm was bid off by Denver Curtner. The farm consists of 80 acres and is well improved. (Arcanum Times Nov. 27, 1921)