Rensselaer Union, Volume 11, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 June 1879 — Obituary. [ARTICLE]

Obituary.

Gen. James Shields, the old veteran of two wars, died suddenly at Ottumwa, lowa, on Sunday evening last, where lie had been visiting relatives while engaged In the duties of his lecture course. The news of his death will carry sadness with it throughout the entire country, which had conic to regard the brave old soldior with feelings of kindly admiration and respect. Gen. Shields was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1810, and emigrated to the United States in 1827, settling ig Illinois about tlie.jroar 18:10. Prior to the outbreak of the Mexican War he held several offices, although lie was not naturalized until 1810. In 1834 ho was sent to the Legislature from Randolph County, subsequently was appointed Auditor by Goy. Carlin, and in 1843 was ejected a Supreme Judge•.». JH« appamtarl Con*missidner of the General Land-Office by h Weßident Polk, and, when theMexi-

can War broke out, by favor of the President he entered too servioe as a Brigadier-General, and made for himselfa record of soldierly skill and eourago that has rarely been surpassed by any American soldier. At Cerro Gordo he was shot through and through and reported as killed, but he recovered fn time to take a distinguished part in the closing events of the war under Gen. Scott, and was the recipient of a sword from the Slate of. South Carolina. On his return to Illinois, in 1849, he was elected to the United States Sen&to, but, only having been naturalized in 1840, the time required to make him eligible had nbt expired, and his seat was declared vacant. As soon as he beoame eligible, however, ho was again elocted, and served until his'tcrm expired. He subsequently mado Minnesota hip homo, and in 1857 was elected to the Senate from that Stato, and served two years. During the War of the Rebellion ne was given a commission in the Union Army, and served with great gallantry in the Department of West Virginia until he was again severely wounded. Meanwhile his old wounds broke out afresh. He became deaf and almost lost his eyesight. The combination of physical ailments compelled him to resign,. After the war he moved to Missouri, which has since been his home. With the events of his life during tho past few years—his election to fill the brief remainder of Senator Bogy’s term in the Senate, and his brilliant success as a lecturer—the public is already familiar. - In his death the country loses one of the mopt gallant and brilliant soldiers on hes rolls; an officer who will always be held in grateful remembrance for his distinguished public service; a gentleman of the highest dignity and most spotless character; a scholar of excellent cal tore; and a,, pa an of thosa genial and humane characteristics which apEealed not only to his own countrymen ut to the whole public. Chicago Tribune, June 3.