James Shields was born in Banbridge of County Down, Ireland, on April 13, 1762. He grew up in Ireland, receiving a solid education in a classical school, including studies in Greek and Latin. His family was not rich, but James was an intelligent young man who loved learning and read extensively in a variety of subjects to further improve his own education. In 1782, he entered the University of Glasgow, Scotland, and graduated from there in 1786. Following his graduation, he attended medical college for another two years. Shields opposed the growing British rule over Ireland, and in July of 1791, Shields immigrated to the newly formed United States in search of a new and freer life.

Shields settled in Virginia, where he taught school for several years. In 1804, he became a U.S. citizen and married Jane Wright, with whom he eventually had 12 children.

In 1805, Shields and his family moved to Butler County, Ohio to settle on land he bought a few years earlier. He cleared the land and earned how to farm. He was elected to the State House of representatives in 1806 and served there until 1827.

In 1828, Shields won election as a Jacksonian Republican to the 21st Congress and represented the 2nd District of Ohio. He lost re-election in 1830, and returned to his home in Butler County.

Shields was well regarded in the community as a man of high moral character and strong integrity. Though extremely well educated, he displayed a humility regarding his knowledge and intelligence.

He also was known as a strong Christian person who had both read the Enlightenment authors' attacks of Christianity, but also formed strong intellectual arguments in favor of his Christian beliefs. He established a Sunday school in his neighborhood, and maintained connections to the American Bible Society, missionary societies, and the American Colonization Society. He always had a love for teaching and taught Sunday School in addition to teaching in more formal settings.

On August 13, 1831, James Shields was killed in a stagecoach that overturned near Venice, Ohio, and was buried in Venice Cemetery. His nephew, who was named after him, had a prominent political career, serving as a United States Senator for Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri.

Sources:
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
A History and Biographical Cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio. From OH Historical Society Journals

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