James Shields was born in Altmore, Dungannon, County Tyrone. In 1826 he went to America, settled in Illinois and studied law, becoming a judge of the Supreme Court in 1843. He once challenged Abraham Lincoln to a duel that was compromised. In 1846 he was appointed brigadier-general in the Mexican War, where he was severely wounded, and in 1849 was elected Senator for Illinois. From 1858-1859 he was Senator for Minnesota. He served in the American Civil War as Brigadier-General from 1861 to 1863 and fought against Stonewall Jackson. He settled in Missouri and in 1879 was again elected to the Senate. He died in Iowa.

Born:	1806
Died:	1879