BIOGRAPHY
of
WILLIAM H. (perhaps HENRY)3 SHIELDS
s/o Patrick2 Shields (Daniel1) and (1) Mary Fogleof
WILLIAM H. (perhaps HENRY)3 SHIELDS
His Story and Family
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 |
WILLIAM H. (perhaps HENRY)3 SHIELDS, s/o Patrick2 SHIELDS (Daniel1) and (1) Mary FOGLE, was born 10 October 1810 in Butler County, Ohio1. He came to Preble County, Ohio with his parents on 15 November 1813.2 In his youth, he was fifer on muster days.3 Records and family researchers give his name as: William, William H., and William Henry Shields.4 There is a a strong possibility that he was named for William Henry HARRISON, because of his father's [Patrick's] close connection with the HARRISON family during the War of 1812.5 William H. resided in various townships in Preble County and also in Darke County, Ohio.
William H. Shields married three times [Nancy Rex, Eva Elizabeth (Snyder) Fornshell, & Elizabeth Weiland] and was the father of 14 known children.
His first marriage occurred on 22 April 1830 Preble County, Ohio to (1) Nancy REX, dau/o Daniel REX & wife, Katharine. Nancy (aka “Nannie”) was born abt. 1810 in Pennsylvania.
He was teacher in his early days of married life in subscription schools.6 He was also a weaver by trade and had built his own loom.7 His first residence was on old school lease, 1/2 mile west of Englewood [Harrisburg] located on the National Road. 8
At the time of the 1840 U. S. Federal Census, William Shields as head of household was listed as (30 under 40) and residing with his family in Harrison Township, Preble County, Ohio. Others were not named in this census, as they were only listed in their perspective age groups. It appears Nancy (30 under 40) and their children listed were: John (under 5), Daniel (5 under 10), Jane (under 5), and Elizabeth (5 under 10)9
Nancy (REX) SHIELDS died on 20 July 1841 in Preble County Ohio,10. This occurred two months after the birth of her fifth child, James F. Shields. She is buried at the Lower Lewisburg Cemetery in Harrison Township, Preble County, Ohio.
Daniel, Jane, John, & James are mentioned as heirs in the 1854 estate of their maternal grandfather, J. Daniel Rex of Preble County, Ohio.111. Elizabeth Shields born September 1830; married Robert Richey
2. Daniel Shields born abt. 1834. [Nothing more is known.]
3. Jane Shields born abt 1836. [Nothing more is known.]
4. John Shields born abt 1838. [Nothing more is known.]
5. James Frazier Shields born 10 May 1841 Preble County, Ohio; m. Delilah Belle McNutt
The widower, William H. Shields, then married 10 October 1842 Preble County, Ohio to (2) Eva/Eve Elizabeth (SNYDER) FORNSHELL, widow of John FORNSHELL. William & Eva Elizabeth were married by J. Gruber M.G.. Eva Elizabeth, daughter of Baltzer/Balser SNYDER and Mary [-?--], was born 1818 in Ohio.
At the time of the October 1850 U. S. Federal Census 12 the couple and some of their blended family were residing in Jefferson Township, Preble County, Ohio. From the court record below13 and the 1850 Census it appears that Eva Elizabeth's son, John A. Fornshell, was not residing with his mother and step-father, but was put in the care of his maternal grandmother, Mary Snyder. William's & Nancy’s daughter Elizabeth married in 1849 so she is absent from the family group; their son Daniel is missing from the family (whereabouts unknown); and their son, James F. was apparently being reared by members of the REX family. William H., Mary, and Thomas, the biological children of William H. (Sr.) and Eva Elizabeth are with their parents at this time. However, within two years tragedy would strike the household again and William H. Shields, Sr. would find himself a widower with motherless children.
Eva/Eve Elizabeth (nee Snyder) Fornshell-Shields apparently died after the 13 October 1850 U. S. Federal Census date and before the below-mentioned Preble Co., OH Probate Record date of 08 November 1852.14 Her burial place is unknown.
6. William H. Shields born 17 July 1843; died bet. 1862-1865
7. Mary A. Shields born December 1845; married George R. Voorhis
8. Thomas Shields born 17 September 1848; married Sarah R. Pearson
These children of William & (2) Elizabeth and her son (John Fornshell) from her previous marriage were mentioned in court record of 10 January 185514. William and (2) Elizabeth's children were then mentioned in the court record of 1 February 185515
It appears that William H. Shields was not married again until as least three or more years after the death of Eva Elizabeth. Then on 30 December 1856 in Preble County, Ohio he married (3) Elizabeth Weiland16, who was 20 years his junior. They were married by Patrick McGrew, J.P. Elizabeth, daughter of unknown parents, was born 16 March 1832 in Pennsylvania.
In 1860 William was a 49 year old farmer. He and his family were enumerated as residing in Twin Township, Preble County, Ohio, and at this time it appears that Elizabeth at 28 years had perhaps given birth to her first child, who at 3 months was still unnamed when the census taker arrived. His sons (William H. Jr. and Thomas) by Eva Elizabeth were residing with them and an eight year old unknown female child named Mary J. Shields was also living with the family. Mary A. Shields, dau/o William & Eva Elizabeth, appears to have been residing elsewhere.
By the time the next census17 (1870) was taken, William and his family were residing in the Gettysburg area of Van Buren Township in Darke County, Ohio. He is now 59 years of age and still farming. His third wife, Elizabeth, was 38 years, and their young sons (Franklin, Edward, and George) were mere lads at home. William's son, Thomas, by Eva Elizabeth (Snyder) Fornshell-Shields, was living at home and helping his father on the farm. Also, working on the farm was George J. Shields.
William H. Shields died 21 March 1871 in Adams Township, Darke County, Ohio.18 His burial location is unknown. Within months three of his children were deceased. Less than three years later, his 3rd wife, Elizabeth, died on 9 November 1873 in Darke County, Ohio. Her gravesite, also, is unknown. It could probably be assumed that the two are buried near each other in some unknown cemetery. Two children (Franklin & George) were then left orphans by their mother's demise.
William Shields born October 10, 1810; died March 21, 1871 Elizabeth Shields born March 16, 1832; died November 9, 1873 |
9. Milton Shields, born 12 October 1860 [birth date questionable]; died 5 November 1871 [death date questionable]20
10. Charles Shields, born 12 February 1862; died 10 September 1862
11. Franklin Shields, born 3 November 1864; died November 5, 1864 [death date questionable...ALBS]
12. Edgar Shields (per Bible Record) [Edward per other records], born 20 March 1866; died 7 September 1871
13. George B. Shields, born 23 February 1870; [died May 8, 1936...ALBS]
14. Cora E. Shields, born 17 August 1871; died 6 September 1871
1 Anita L. (Bowers) Short & Ruth Bowers, DANIEL SHIELDS Family Lineages, ca 1970; 2008, Correspondence with ALBS.
22005, Garst Museum, Greenville, Darke County, Ohio: SHIELDS file by ASH
32006, March 17-18, E-mail to ASH: Diane VanSkiver Gagel, a REX Researcher
4 2006, March 17-18, E-mail to ASH: Information from Diane VanSkiver Gagel, a REX Researcher, names him as William Henry Shields
5 It seems likely that Patrick Shields (wf, Mary Fogle) probably named their son, William Henry Shields, because Patrick from the 1875 Darke Co., OH Atlas tells of his relationship with Gen. William Henry Harrison. “He lived for a time with General Harrison and attended school at his expense. He went as a substitute in the army of Hull and was present at the disgraceful surrender of that General. He was afterward an express rider for General Harrison, and in 1814 rode from Ft. Meigs to Cincinnati, Ohio in two days.”
6 2006, March 17-18, E-mail to ASH: Information from Diane VanSkiver Gagel, a REX Researcher
7 2006, March 17-18, E-mail to ASH: Information from Diane VanSkiver Gagel, a REX Researcher
8 2006, March 17-18, E-mail to ASH: Information from Diane VanSkiver Gagel, a REX Researcher
9
1840 U. S. Federal Census
Preble County, Ohio
Harrison TownshipMales:
1- under 5 [John Shields]
1- 5 under 10 [Daniel Shields]
1- 30 under 40 [William H. Shields]
Females:
1- under 5 [Jane Shields]
1- 5 under 10 [Elizabeth Shields]
1- 30 under 40 [Nancy (nee Rex) Shields](Internet, Heritage Quest: Series: M704 Roll: 421 Page: 138 Image: 1)
10 2006, March 17-18, E-mail to ASH: Information from Diane VanSkiver Gagel, a REX Researcher
1112
(Note: Not all heirs of this estate will be copied here...only the parts that apply to the children of William and Nancy (Rex) Shields). Click on link to see entire estate record.
20 January 1855. Notice given to: Elizabeth Ritchie, Jane Shields, John Shields and James Shields.
“The joint answer of Jane Rex, Catharine Rex, Adam Rex, John Shields, James Shields infant defendants to petition dated 18 December 1854” Joel W. Harris, guardian.”
Listing of all heirs of Daniel Rex, dec’d which includes:
“Heirs at law of ______ (left blank) Shields, dec. late Rex of Preble County, Ohio who was the wife of William Shields and daughter and heir at law of said deceased Daniel Rex, to-wit: Elizabeth Ritchie (late Shields) married to Robert Ritchie of Preble County, Ohio; Jane Shields, John Shields, James Shields, minors of Preble County, Ohio and Daniel Shields of St. Louis, Missouri.”
Preble County, Ohio – Case #1983 Guardianship of Shields children – Patrick Shields, guardian
Bond dated 10 January 1855 by Patrick F. Shields, guardian with George Shields and John Dinninger as sureties.13
1850 U. S. Federal Census
Preble County, Ohio
Jefferson Township
13 October 1850
#1541-1541William Shields, 40, male, farmer, b Ohio [b 1810]
Elizabeth Shields, 32, female, b Ohio [b 1818] [Eva Elizabeth (nee Snyder) Fornshell]
Jane Shields, 14, female, b Ohio [1836] [dau/o Wm. H. & Nancy (nee Rex) Shields]
John Shields, 12, male, b Ohio [1838] [s/o Wm. H. & Nancy (nee Rex) Shields]
William H. Shields, 7, male, b Ohio [1843] [s/o Wm. H. & Elizabeth [nee Snyder]
Mary A. Shields, 5, female, b Ohio [1845] [dau/o Wm. H. & Elizabeth [nee Snyder]
Thomas Shields, 2, male, b Ohio [1848] [s/o Wm. H. & Elizabeth [nee Snyder](Internet, Heritage Quest: Series: M432, Roll: 723, Page: 489, Image: 52)
8 November 1852
Preble County Probate Case #1750:
State of Ohio & Mary Snyder vs. Joseph P. Fornshell.
Filed 11-8-1852.Joseph says he was appted. gdn of John A. Fornshell and that John had not resided with his grandmother Mary Snyder for some years. He has resided with David M. Snyder who is not a suitable person to take charge of John. The boy has been beat and abused in a brutal manner. John wants to live with Grandmother and Uncle David. In 1850 Elizabeth Fornshell, who had married William Shields, died but had asked her mother Mary Snyder to raise her son, John. About 11-8-1852, Joseph P. Fornshell enticed John, age 13, away.
Summoned to testify included:
Daniel May, John, Nancy, and Catharine Rex Sr., Catharine Rex Jr., Elizabeth Kelly.1850 U. Federal Census, Preble Co., OH, Twin Township:
Mary Snyder was residing with the Joseph Shellers' family at #628-628.
Residing at #629-629 were John, Nancy, & Katherine RexElizabeth (nee Rex) Kelly was dau/o George Rex & Katharine Brown.
Daniel May relationship is unknown.2006, Information from Diane VanSkiver Gagel
14
10 January 1855
Preble County, OhioRe: Heirs of Eva Elizabeth (Snyder) Fornshell-Shields Case #1983 Guardianship of Shields children – Patrick Shields, guardian Bond dated 10 January 1855 by Patrick F. Shields, guardian with George Shields and John Dinninger as sureties. [Note:John Dininger married Mary Jane Shields, dau/o Patrick Shields & (1) Mary Fogle.]
[Note: Patrick F. Shields was s/o Patrick Shields & (1) Mary Fogle.]“To the Probate Court of Preble County, Ohio
Patrick Shields shows to the court that Elizabeth Shields formerly Elizabeth Snyder, dec’d, died leaving one child by a former husband Fornshell and three children from her last husband William Shields.The names of the last three being as follows: William H. Shields twelve years July 17 1855
Mary A. Shields nine years December (no day given) 1854
Thomas Shields six years September 17, 1854"That as heirs of their deceased mother the said children have an estate coming to them from their grandfather Balser (Bolser) Snyder, dec’d.”
“Said Wm. H. Shields died since last settlement leaving Mary Ann and Thomas as his heirs.”“Accountings were filed from 10 March 1862 to 31 October 1865.” [Note: This states that William H. Shields, bro/o Mary A. & Thomas Shields was now deceased.]
[It appears he was not married and had no children as his heirs are now his brother and sister.]
Could William have been in the Civil War (War Between the State) and died as a result of his service?
In 1865, he would have been about 21 years of age.
15
1 February 1855
Preble Co. Case # 1983William H. 12, on 7-17-1855; Thomas 6, 9-17-1854; and Mary Ann Shields, 9, Dec 1854.Patrick Shields, gdn. of children and heirs of Elizabeth Shields.
Filed 2-1-1855.
Surety: John Dininger and Geo. Shields.
[NOTE: John Dininger married Mary Jane Shields, dau/o Patrick Shields & (1) Mary Fogle.]
[NOTE: Geo. Shields appears to have been Geo. Wm. Shields, s/o Patrick Shields & (1) Mary Fogle.]
Source: Internet, 17-18 March 2006, E-mail to ASH: Diane VanSkiver Gagel, a REX Researcher: Court Record gives date of birth)
16 It is assumed that Elizabeth’s maiden name was WEILAND. Variants are found as WEIYAIND, WEIYAND, WEIGAIND, & WEILAND. Spelling variations appear by 1880 to have disappeared with the common spelling being WEILAND. In 1844 John Weiland married Margaret Fudge in Preble Co., Ohio, but a family connection is unknown.
1860 U. S. Federal Census
Preble County, Ohio
Twin Township
2 June 1860
#95-95
Wm. Shields, 49, male, farmer, Personal Property $200, b OH
Elizabeth Shields, 28, female, b Pennsylvania [Wm.'s 3rd wife.]
Wm. H. Shields, 16, male, b OH [s/o William & Elizabeth (nee Snyder) Shields] [b 1843]
Thomas Shields, 12, male, b OH [s/o William & Elizabeth (nee Snyder) Shields] [b 1848]
Mary J. Shields, 8, female, b OH [b 1852]
"No Name", 3/12, male, b OH [s/o William & Elizabeth (nee Weigaind) Shields] [b 1860]
(Internet, Heritage Quest: Series: M653, Roll: 1026, Page: 6, Image: 12)
If “No Name” is really Milton as given later in the Bible Record, then there is a discrepancy in his birthdate of 12 October 1860. He was already three months old when the census was taken in June of 1860. [Note: No 10y old "No Name" or "Milton" is enumerated in the 1870 U. S. Census in this family, so it is assumed that No Name/Milton died before 3 August 1870 when that census was taken, rather than the Bible Record of 5 November 1871.]
[NOTE: William H. Shields & Elizabeth (nee Snyder) Fornshell-Shields had daughter, Mary Ann Shields b 1845, but Mary J. Shields appears to be another person.]
17
1870 U. S. Federal Census
Darke County, Ohio
Van Buren Township
P.O.: Gettysburg
3 August 1870
#31-31Shields, William, 59, male, white, farmer, Personal Property $428, born OH; Father of foreign birth; Cannot read nor write
Shields, Elizabeth, 38, female, white, keeping house, born MD; both parents of foreign birth; cannot write
Shields, Thomas, 22, male, white, works on farm, Personal Property $100, born OH [s/o Wm. H. Shields & (2) Eva Elizabeth Snyder]
Shields, Franklin, 5, male, white, at home, born OH [s/o Wm. H. Shields & (3) Elizabeth Weiland.]
Shields, Edward, 4, male, white, at home, born OH [s/o Wm. H. Shields & (3) Elizabeth Weiland.]
Shields, George B.C., male, white, 3/12 months, born February, born OH [s/o Wm. H. Shields & (3) Elizabeth Weiland.]
Shields, George J., 19, male, white, works on farm, born OH
(Internet, Heritage Quest: Series: M593, Roll: 1194, Page 333, Image: 6)
George J. Shields in unknown, but probably related. Residing next door at #32-32 was his nephew, William4 Shields (Isaac3, Patrick 2, Daniel1) & his wife, Anna Maria Hathaway. .
18 August 2008, William H. Shields Data file by ALBS: DCO Death Record #316
William H. Shields did not die in 1843, as has been indicated in a number of places by a number of researchers. He married twice after the death of Nancy Rex. There is a gravestone in the Lower Lewisburg Cemetery that indicates that he died in 1843. This is incorrect.
19 Information 1960s from the Bible Records shared by Mr. & Mrs. Berman Shields (s/o George B. Shields & gs/o Wm. Henry Shields and his 3rd wf, Elizabeth Weiland) with ALBS, who never saw the Bible nor the record.
20 The 1860 U. S. Federal Census; Enumeration Date: 2 June 1860: “No Name,” 3/12, male, b OH (s/o William Shields & Elizabeth Weiland. If the “no name” child was Milton, he was born before the Bible Record date of 12 Oct. 1860, as the census date of 2 June 1860 appears to indicate the child was already 3 months old. Milton would have been born sometime in March. Milton’s name is not listed in the 1870 Census, so it appears that he was deceased as of 3 Aug 1870 and not living then to have died on 5 November 1871 according to the Bible Record.