Nelson Donnellan Shields (abt. 1839 - 1933)

Born about 11 Oct 1839 in Preble Co., OH

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Isabelle Gatton — married 25 Dec 1867 in Franklin Co., OH.

Descendants

Died 21 Mar 1933 at about age 93 in Franklin Co., OH

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This profile is part of the Shields Name Study.

Biography

NELSON DONNELLAN SHIELDS, son of Patrick SHIELDS and Selina FREEMAN, was born 11 October 1839 in Preble County, Ohio. He appears to have been named for Dr. Nelson Donnellan J.P. who resided in the area. Nelson was reared in the family home, but at the time the 1860 census taken on June 2nd in Twin Township of Preble County, Ohio, Nelson age 16 (sic), was residing with his half-brother, George William Shields. However, by July, 1860 he was enumerated in the residence of his parents as N. D. Shields, age 21, who was working as a day laborer. At that time three other siblings were still living at home. George William Shields remarried 24 June 1860, so Nelson apparently returned home at that time. Nelson married 25 June 1863 Darke County, Ohio to (1) Nancy Ann Westfall; and they divorced 20 September 1867. It appears that sometime in that period of time that Nelson left the Darke County, Ohio area.

He then married for the second time on 25 December 1867 in Franklin County, Ohio to Sarah Isabella Gatton, born June 1845.

On the 10th of June 1880, Nelson and I. Sarah were residing in Prairie Township, Franklin County, Ohio. Nelson was listed as a "laborer." Their three children (Cora, Mary, & Frank) were residing with them along with another "laborer." In July 1880, Nelson and Sarah filed a quit claim conveyance from Franklin County, Ohio to their right to the land left to the heirs of Selina (Freeman) Boyd-Shields, deceased widow of Patrick Shields of Darke County, Ohio.

At the time of the 1900 U. S. Federal Census, Nelson and Sarah I. were still residing in Prairie Township in Franklin County, Ohio. He continues to work as a day laborer. Sarah is given as having been the mother of four children with only one still living [in conflict with the 1910 census].

By 1910, Nelson and Sarah had relocated to Brown Township in Franklin County, Ohio. This census indicated that Sarah was the mother of 4 children of which 3 were living. None of the children were residing with the couple.

In 1920 the couple (Nelson and Sarah) were was back in Prairie Township, Franklin County, Ohio. Whoever gave the census information that year erroneously gave Nelson's parents as being born in Germany. Nelson at age 75 was listed as a farm laborer.

In 1925, Sarah died, and in 1930 Nelson at age 90 years is residing with his daughter and son-in-law, William E. and Mary E. (Shields) Tipton in Franklin Township, Franklin County, Ohio.

Nelson died 1933 Franklin County, Ohio.

Burial - 23 Mar 1933, Alton Cemetery, Franklin Co., Ohio.

Resources:

Biographical notes abstracted, in part, from Webpage by: Audrey (Shields) Hancock

Census - 20 Nov 1850, Van Buren, Darke Co., OH, with parents and siblings.

Census - 9 Jul 1860, Van Buren, Darke Co., OH, with parents and siblings.

Census - 12 Jun 1880, Prairie, Franklin Co., OH (ED# 2, pg. 16/58, line 9) - Married, 3 children.

Census - 1900, Prairie Twp. Franklin Co., OH (ED# 137, visit 54, pg. 6'32).

Census - 15 Apr 1910, Brown Twp., Franklin Co., OH (Pg. 1B) - Married, no children at home.

Census - 1920, Prairie Twp., Franklin Co., OH (ED# 300, visit 205, pg. 17/19) - At a farm on Cole Rd.

Census - 21 Apr 1930, Franklin, Franklin Co., OH (ED# 181, visit 269, pg. 23/67) - Widower, with his married daughter Mary and her husband, William Tipton, at 62 Jackson Ave.

Findagrave.com - Memorial# 20607512 (Created by: Dave).