Portal:Illinois/Selected biography/33

Portrait of Gen. James Shields from the Minnesota Historical Society

James Shields (May 10, 1806 – June 1, 1879) was an Irish American politician and United States Army officer, who is the only person in U.S. history to serve as a Senator for three different states. Shields represented Illinois from 1849 to 1855, Minnesota from 1858 to 1859, and Missouri in 1879.

Born and educated in Ireland, Shields emigrated to America in 1826. He settled in Kaskaskia, Illinois, where he studied and practiced law. In 1836, he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, and later was elected State Auditor. His work as auditor was criticized by a young Abraham Lincoln, who with his then fiancée, Mary Todd, published a series of inflammatory pseudonymous letters in a local paper. Shields challenged Lincoln to a duel, and the two nearly fought on September 22, 1842, before making peace and eventually becoming friends.

Shields was appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court and subsequently was Commissioner of the U.S. General Land Office. At the outbreak of the Mexican–American War, he took an appointment as brigadier general of volunteers. He served with distinction and was twice wounded. After serving as Senator from Illinois, he moved to Minnesota and there founded the town of Shieldsville. He was elected as Senator from Minnesota. He served in the American Civil War, and at the Battle of Kernstown, his troops inflicted the only tactical defeat of Stonewall Jackson. After moving multiple times, Shields settled in Missouri and served again in the Senate. He represents Illinois in the National Statuary Hall. (Read more...)