Western Pennsylvania Genealogy
Compiled by Douglas H. Lusher


Family Group Record



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James Hall Shields and Nellie Manville Culver




Husband James Hall Shields 1

           Born: 1 Jun 1849 - near Mexico, Juniata Co, PA 1
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           Died: 
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         Father: Rev. James Shields (1812-1862) 2
         Mother: Mary Caroline McCormick (1817-1888) 2


       Marriage: 17 Oct 1878 1



Wife Nellie Manville Culver 1

           Born: 
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         Father: Charles E. Culver, Esq. (      -      ) 1
         Mother: 




Children
1 F Irene Shields 3

           Born: 1 Nov 1879 3
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2 F Nellie Caroline Shields 3

           Born: 9 Feb 1881 3
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3 M James Culver Shields 3

           Born: 31 Jul 1882 3
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4 F Viola Shields 3

           Born: 27 Feb 1884 3
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5 M Charles Culver Shields 3

           Born: 31 Dec 1885 3
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6 F Amanda Shields 4

           Born: 19 Oct 1887 4
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7 F Grace Shields 4

           Born: 24 Jun 1889 4
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8 M Robert McCormick Shields 4

           Born: 18 Jun 1891 4
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9 F Constance Shields 4

           Born: 15 Apr 1893 4
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General Notes: Husband - James Hall Shields


His early life was spent in the home of his birth, from whence he attended, for two or three winters, the country district school, and during two winters, together with his sister, he was under the care and teaching of a governess, in the house. His father died, and the following spring his mother removed to Chicago. Very soon after his arrival in Chicago, his mother placed him in school at Palmer's Academy, corner of Congress street and Wabash avenue. From January to June, 1864, he attended Prof. Quackenboss' private school, on the North side. In the fall of 1864 he began his course of academical studies at the Chicago University, and was admitted to the Freshman class in 1867. Much against his mother's wishes he decided to enter upon a business career, and, therefore, left the University at the Christmas vacation, in 1867, and after a three months' course at a Commercial College, went into the office of his uncles, in April, 1868. Beginning in the capacity of an office boy he served the firm of C. H. & L. J. McCormick from this time on until November, 1882, (with the exception of about a year and a half, dating from August, 1873, during which time he was engaged in a manufacturing business on his own account). He filled various positions in the office, and at the time of his leaving the service of the Harvesting Machine Company he had charge of the supply department and the printing and advertising.
In February, 1883, he entered into a partnership under the name of Shields & Brown, for the manufacture and sale of a patented article of steam pipe and boiler coverings. Under careful and judicious management the business increased so that, at the end of four years, the house had a branch in New York, and was doing business in all parts of the United States. In the spring of '87, the Shields & Brown Co. was incorporated in New York State. This company, in turn, sold out to the H. W. Johns Mfg. Co., on the 1st of July, 1891, and Mr. Shields became the manager of the western branch.
After his marriage he resided with his mother, at 380 Erie street, until the 1st of May, 1881, when he removed to 303 Huron street, a residence given to his wife by her father. In August, 1886, he went, with his family, to Highland Park, (a suburban city, twenty-three miles north of Chicago), to spend the summer, and finding the advantages so much superior to those of the city, for the health and comfort of their family, Mr. and Mrs. Shields exchanged their city home for a delightful and commodious residence, with extensive grounds, overlooking Lake Michigan.
After his residence in Highland Park, Mr. Shields took an active interest in everything that pertained to the public welfare, and took a prominent place in public affairs. He served the city for two years in the Common Council, during which time he took a leading part on the most important committees, and accomplished much in the way of public and permanent improvements for the city. He also served for three years as a member of the Board of Education, during which time a new and elegant school house was built.
In 1865, Mr. Shields united with the North Presbyterian Church. He always took an active interest in Sunday School work, and at times filled all the various positions in the Sunday School, in connection with his own church in the city and in Mission Schools. For several years he was Superintendent of the Sabbath School of the Highland Park Presbyterian Church, and also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of that church.
In the fall of 1891, Mr. Shields and a few of his friends in Highland Park, held a meeting in his library, for the purpose of organizing a family social club in that city. On December 9th, 1893, the Highland Park Club opened its club house and extensive grounds to its members, with Mr. Shields as president of the organization for the first two years. Much of the success of this addition to the various social phases of Highland Park was due to the management of the club's first president.
Although Mr. Shields was among the original members of the Union, the Iroquois and the Wausaukee Clubs, and the Sons of the American Revolution, and was for several years a member of the University Club, all of Chicago, yet he was not very much of a club man, preferring rather the attractions of his own fireside, where, surrounded by his wife and nine children, he believed there was no club on earth half so attractive; nor was there any hearthstone at which his friends or relatives would find a heartier welcome.

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Sources


1 Leander James McCormick, McCormick Family Record and Biography (Chicago, IL: Publisher Unknown, 1896), Pg 315.

2 Leander James McCormick, McCormick Family Record and Biography (Chicago, IL: Publisher Unknown, 1896), Pg 303.

3 Leander James McCormick, McCormick Family Record and Biography (Chicago, IL: Publisher Unknown, 1896), Pg 318.

4 Leander James McCormick, McCormick Family Record and Biography (Chicago, IL: Publisher Unknown, 1896), Pg 319.


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