**************************************************************************** File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net. **************************************************************************** Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908 **************************************************************************** The Biography of Perry O. SHIELDS [Surnames: BORDNER, EWERS, FORD, HARDEN, SHIELDS, SNIDER, WILLCOXEN] SHIELDS, PERRY O. He is successfully pursuing the vocation of a farmer and stockraiser in Fulton Co., IL, and is located on Sect. 35, Lewistown Twp., where he cultivates 110 acres of exceptionally productive land. He is a son of Andrew J. and Jane (WILLCOXEN) Shields, natives of Fulton Co. Andrew J. Shields is engaged in farming in Buckheart Twp, Fulton Co. His wife died in 1870. Two children, May, deceased, and Perry O. resulted from their union. The former was the wife of Street HARDEN, of Los Angeles, CA. The father of Perry O. Shields subsequently wedded Nettie FORD, a native of Kentucky, and by this union had two children: Della, wife of William SNIDER, living in Buckheart Twp. Ina, wife of Charles SNIDER, of Dunfermline. The subject of this sketch was brought up to farm life. He received his mental training in the district schools of his neighborhood, and has lived in the same vicinity ever since. Including the 110 acres on Sect. 35 which he owns, he operated in 1905, 310 acres. Besides stock--horses, cattle and hogs, preferring the back and Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. He is classed among the most thorough and successful farmers in Fulton Co. On February 13, 1885, Mr.Shields was united in marriage with Madeline BORDNER, born Mar 6, 1868, a daughter of Moses and Elvira (EWERS) Bordner. Her father was an honored pioneer settler of Fulton Co., a memoir of whose life constitutes an interesting chapter of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Shields became the parents of five children, namely: Bessie, born Sept. 15, 1887, and died August 23, 1899 Ira, born Febr. 28, 1889, and died Dec. 2, 1890 Frank H., born Oct. 12, 1892 Henry D. born Apr 29, 1895 Edith L. born Dec. 10 1899 In politics Mr. Shields is an adherent of the Democratic Party, but is liberal in his views. He has creditably filled the office ot Road Commissioner of his township. Fraternally he is affiliated with the K. of P. As a farmer and as a man and citizen he is ranked among the representative characters in the community of which he is a member.