U.S. Congressman. He was born in Abbeville, South Carolina, raised in Alabama, attended the University of Georgia, and became an attorney and owner of a cotton plantation. He was active in the militia and attained the rank of Brigadier General. Shields served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1835 to 1838. In 1840 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat and served one term, 1841 to 1843. In 1845 he was appointed U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to Venezuela, serving until 1850. Upon returning to the United States, he became an opponent of secession, ran unsuccessfully for Governor as a Union Democrat, and later moved to Texas. After the Civil War, he became a Republican, one of the few in Texas, and served as U.S. Collector of Customs in Galveston from 1874 to 1879.
U.S. Congressman. He was born in Abbeville, South Carolina, raised in Alabama, attended the University of Georgia, and became an attorney and owner of a cotton plantation. He was active in the militia and attained the rank of Brigadier General. Shields served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1835 to 1838. In 1840 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat and served one term, 1841 to 1843. In 1845 he was appointed U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to Venezuela, serving until 1850. Upon returning to the United States, he became an opponent of secession, ran unsuccessfully for Governor as a Union Democrat, and later moved to Texas. After the Civil War, he became a Republican, one of the few in Texas, and served as U.S. Collector of Customs in Galveston from 1874 to 1879.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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