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Benjamin G. Shields

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Benjamin G. Shields
United States Chargé d'Affaires, Venezuela
In office
August 1, 1845 – January 2, 1850
PresidentJames K. Polk
Preceded byVespasian Ellis
Succeeded byI. 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 byJames Dellet
Succeeded byGeorge S. Houston
Personal details
Born(1811-01-09)January 9, 1811
Abbeville, South Carolina
DiedNovember 15, 1892(1892-11-15) (aged 81)
Marlin, Texas
Political partyDemocrat
Unionist
Republican
SpouseSarah Thomas Harwell
Parent(s)Samuel Bayard Shields
Milley Harris Glover Shields
EducationFranklin College

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.

Early life

Shields 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

Shields 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

In 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

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Brewer, Willis (1872). Alabama, Her History, Resources, War Record, and Public Men: From 1540 to 1872. Barrett & Brown. p. 376. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  3. ^ Ball, Timothy Horton (1879). Clarke County, Alabama, and Its Surroundings. Clarke County Historical Society. p. 450. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "SHIELDS, Benjamin Glover - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Court, Texas Supreme (1880). The Texas Reports: Cases Adjudged in the Supreme Court. Gammel-Statesman publishing Company. p. 323. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Company, Southern Publishing. Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas. p. 45. ISBN 9783849673932. Retrieved 9 March 2019. {{cite book}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  10. ^ "Ex-Congressman Benjamin Shields". Pittsburgh Dispatch. November 18, 1892. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  11. ^ "Gen. Benjamin J. Shields, Ex-Congressman and Ex-Minister to Venezuela". The Indianapolis Journal. 18 Nov 1892. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's at-large congressional district
March 4, 1841 – March 3, 1843 		Succeeded by
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Chargé d'Affaires, Venezuela
August 1, 1845 – January 2, 1850 		Succeeded by
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