Benjamin Glover Shields (January 9, 1811 – November 15, 1892)[1] was an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives from Alabama.
Benjamin G. Shields | |
---|---|
United States Chargé d'Affaires, Venezuela | |
In office August 1, 1845 – January 2, 1850 | |
President | James K. Polk |
Preceded by | Vespasian Ellis |
Succeeded by | I. Nevett Steele |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's at-large district | |
In office March 4, 1841 – March 3, 1843 | |
Preceded by | James Dellet |
Succeeded by | George S. Houston |
Personal details | |
Born | Abbeville, South Carolina, US | January 9, 1811
Died | November 15, 1892 Marlin, Texas, US | (aged 81)
Political party | Democrat Unionist Republican |
Spouse | Sarah Thomas Harwell |
Parent(s) | Samuel Bayard Shields Milley Harris Glover Shields |
Education | Franklin College |
Early life
editShields was born at his family's plantation in Abbeville, South Carolina on January 9, 1811. He was a son of Milley Harris Glover Shields and Samuel Bayard Shields.[2] His father was originally from Newcastle County, Delaware, but his maternal grandfather was a wealthy planter from Abbeville.[1]
He later moved with his father to Clarke County, Alabama,[3] and later resided at Demopolis, Alabama, in Marengo County where he completed preparatory studies,[4] before entering Franklin College in Athens, Georgia.[1]
Career
editShields became a member of the Alabama House of Representatives in 1834.[4]
Between March 4, 1841, and March 3, 1843, he served as a Democrat in the Twenty-seventh Congress. In 1845, he was commissioned by President James K. Polk as United States Chargé d'Affaires to Venezuela. He remained in this position until January 7, 1850.[5]
Upon returning to the United States, he became an opponent of secession, ran unsuccessfully for Governor as a Union Democrat.[6]
After the U.S. Civil War, Shields moved to Texas and became one of the few Republicans in Texas. From 1874 to 1879, he served as U.S. Collector of Customs at the Port of Galveston.[7][4]
Personal life
editIn April 1832, Shields was married to Sarah Thomas Harwell, a daughter of Dr. Ishmael P. Harwell.[8][9] He died at his home near Marlin, Texas on November 15, 1892,[1][10] as a result of a cold he caught while riding in the rain to cast his vote for president on behalf of Benjamin Harrison and for governor on behalf of Jim Hogg.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "GEN BENJAMIN G. SHIELDS | SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES | He Pronounced the Democracy A Hard Money Party -- Appointed a Collector of the Port of Galveston". The Galveston Daily News. 23 Nov 1892. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ Brewer, Willis (1872). Alabama, Her History, Resources, War Record, and Public Men: From 1540 to 1872. Barrett & Brown. p. 376. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ Ball, Timothy Horton (1879). Clarke County, Alabama, and Its Surroundings. Clarke County Historical Society. p. 450. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ a b c "SHIELDS, Benjamin Glover - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ "Benjamin Glover Shields - People - Department History". history.state.gov. Office of the Historian, Bureau of Public Affairs United States Department of State. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ Hodgson, Joseph (1876). The Cradle of the Confederacy: Or, The Times of Troup, Quitman, and Yancey. A Sketch of Southwestern Political History from the Formation of the Federal Government to A.D. 1861. Printed at the Register publishing office. p. 296. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ Court, Texas Supreme (1880). The Texas Reports: Cases Adjudged in the Supreme Court. Gammel-Statesman publishing Company. p. 323. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ Smith, Winston (1990). The People of His Pasture: A History of the Methodist Church in Demopolis, Alabama. Birmingham Pub. pp. 33–34. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ Company, Southern Publishing. Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas. p. 45. ISBN 9783849673932. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
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has generic name (help) - ^ "Ex-Congressman Benjamin Shields". Pittsburgh Dispatch. November 18, 1892. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ "Gen. Benjamin J. Shields, Ex-Congressman and Ex-Minister to Venezuela". The Indianapolis Journal. 18 Nov 1892. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
External links
edit- United States Congress. "Benjamin G. Shields (id: S000359)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.