My Genealogy Hound

William B. O’Shields has long had the reputation of being one of the best farmers in the county, and as a merchant his name and fame is co-extensive with Phillips and the surrounding counties. Every step of his career has been marked by acts of liberality, and he has ever displayed a vital interest in the higher development of his county, which is no doubt owing, in a measure, to his having been born here. His birth occurred on the farm where he now lives, October 5, 1851, and he is the youngest of ten children born to Isaac and Jarvey G. (Nixon) O’Shields, both of whom were born in South Carolina, the former’s birth occurring about 1813, and the latter’s in Phillips County, Ark., October 16, 1873. His wife died in 1863 at the age of fifty-one years. Their marriage took place in South Carolina, and in 1844 they came to Arkansas, locating in Phillips County, where he followed farming until his death, being quite successful in this calling. He inherited Irish blood from his parents, who were born in the Emerald Isle, and in his political views was first a Whig, but later became a Democrat. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and bore him the following family of children, the names of those who are living being here given: Jennie (widow of Thomas Carter, who died while serving in the Confederate army), Thomas N. (who is a farmer and blacksmith of this county), Richard L. (also a farmer of the county), Isaac (following the same occupation here) and William B. The following are the names of those who are deceased: Nancy (wife of William Jackson), Fanny (who died after reaching womanhood), Mollie (wife of William Jackson), John, and Elizabeth (the wife of Thomas Kibby). William B. O’Shields received the most of his education in Phillips County, and supplemented a common school course by an attendance at Phillips Academy, where he acquired an excellent education. On attaining his majority he began farming for himself, and in 1881 began merchandising also, and has since followed both these occupations, his labors being attended with the best results. In his political views Mr. O’Shields is a Democrat, and on that ticket was elected, in 1878, to the position of constable, and, in 1882, to the office of justice of the peace. In 1885 he was married to Miss Mary Davidson, a daughter of John and Margaret Davidson. She was born in Helena, Ark., is a member of the M. E. Church, South. They have two children: Lottie B. and Maggie May.