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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County
Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908

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The Biography of William SHIELDS 

[Surnames: BLACK, BROWN, COLEMAN, FISHER, LITTLE, MURPHY, PITTMAN, PRESTON, RAY, SHIELDS, WEAVER, WILLCOXEN] 

SHIELDS, WILLIAM

    
He, in duration of residence is one of the oldest farmers of Fulton County, is located on Sect. 10 Liverpool Twp. He was born near Canton, Nov. 26, 1836, and is a son of Andrew J. and Margaret (Red) Shields. Robert Shields, the father of Andrew, was a native of Tennessee, migrating from that state to Indiana and thence to Fulton County, where he settled near Canton. He was successfully engaged in farming for many years, and finally became a resident of Canton, where he died. His first wife, Naomi Little, who accompanied him from Indiana, died at a very early period on the farm on which he originally settled. His second wife was Mrs. Brown, who moved with him into Canton, where she also died. Andrew J. Shields was a native of Indiana and located in Fulton Co. at an early period. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, as follows:
Martha, widow of Wesley Pittman, and then of Alfred Weaver
William
Mary Ellen, deceased, wife of Humphrey Murphy, of Iowa
Robert, a resident of Cozad, Dawson Co. Nebraska
Andrew J. who is engaged in farming in Buckheart Twp.
Naomi, widow of Henry Fisher, of Urbana, Illinois
Margaret, widow of Boone Willcoxen, who resides in Lewistown 
    
The mother of this family died Oct. 10, 1896, the father having passed away just after the cholera epidemic of 1849. 
    
William Shields was but a lad when the death of his father occurred, and has but a faint remembrance of him. The former has been a resident of Fulton Co., for sixty-eight years with the exception of three years spent in McDonough County, Il. He is the owner of 200 acres of highly cultivated land. He has borne the reputation of being one of the most thorough farmers in his township. 
    
May 14, 1861, Mr. Shields was united in marriage to Nancy Wilcoxen, a daughter of Elijah C. Willcoxen. They have become the parents of the following children:
Florence L. b. 5 Sept, 1862, who was the wife of George Coleman, and died Sept. 6, 1887.
Andrew L., b. Aug. 22, 1863, and died mar. 14, 1864
Elijah C., a farmer in Liverpool Twp., who married Minnie Black, and has children Earl and John.
Annie, b. July 6, 1866l, who married Wiley Ray and is the mother of Ethel, Wiley A., George, Clifford, Hazel M., Sylvia, Jesse E., Clugston, and an infant.
George L, who is a member of the parental household.
Charles G., b. Oct 4, 1880, a farmer in Liverpool Twp., who married Mary Preston, and has two children, Herman and Ross. 
    
Mr. Shields is a Democrat. He had creditably discharged the duties of School Director and has been a steadfast advocate of the interest of the public school system.