Peter Joseph Shields
Encyclopedia
On April 4, 1862 at the Shields Ranch, which was around Rancho Cordova, California
on the American River
, Peter Joseph Shields was born to John Shields who emigrated in 1850 from Donegal, Ireland and Elizabeth Shields, née Bowe, who emigrated from Waterford, Ireland in 1855. Both parents had survived the Great Hunger or Potato Famine which occurred beginning in 1845, and both had walked the Panama Isthmus on foot to arrive in San Francisco, and later, Sacramento. His father John had participated in the Gold Rush
in California and dug up 80 nuggets to purchase the undeveloped property which became the Shields Ranch. He was the third child, and named Peter after his mother's first husband, who died of Cholera
on the ship taking them from the isthmus of Panama to San Francisco, where she buried him in in the sandy cliffs of the new city.
Born 36 years after the death of Thomas Jefferson
and during Abraham Lincoln
's term as president, he had an early interest in politics, society, justice, and agriculture, which his mother Elizabeth had become especially involved with, winning many prizes at the state fairs and participating in agricultural societies. His deeper interest seemed to be in preparing the youth of the country to take hold of the future. "I think it's time the old men should cease to distrust the youth by which they are surrounded," he once said. "The young people I meet fascinate me. I think there never has been a time when the youth of the country have been so well prepared for the duties ahead of them." A philosopher, he talked of the courage of the youth, and felt it had "Not been dimmed" by failure. He also spoke of liking "...Their rebellion against the outgrown condition of the past". He felt "That they are being well prepared for their impend responsibilities" and was proud that youth were coming out of University with the facts of history, but with "Minds that are told to form their own judgements."
He earned his first dollar trucking watermelons from the ranch to Sacramento. At 17 he graduated from Christian Brothers College in Sacramento, then studied law reading in the office of the distinguished Jurist Amos Catlin. Though he never smoked or drank, illness forced him to quit law during his twenties, but in this thirties, he was successively the private secretary to Governor James Budd
, Secretary of the State Agricultural Society, and a law partner of Hiram W. Johnson who later became Governor and a United States Senator.
In 1900, at 38, he was elected to the Superior Court
in Sacramento. During his years on the Bench, he took his mother's passion and philosophy for agriculture and became deeply embedded in the California Agricultural Law
, policies and culture.
Of all his accomplishments, he was most proud of being known as the father of UC Davis, which he founded nearly single-handedly in 1906, which has grown into a major university and hospital, the main library and street still bearing his name, and on campus there is an oak grove planted in his honor after his death, and the Shields White Flower Garden, established when his wife of 60 years, Carolee died. It contains many of her favorite flowers. He is acknowledged as the man who did most to push through the California State Legislature
a bill establishing the UC Davis Agricultural College, fought for the funds and even helped select the site. A Peter J. Shields Scholarship fund of $7500 was established in 1839.
In his spare time, her raised a prize-winning herd of Jersey Cattle and won so many prizes at the California State Fair, he finally withdrew to give others a chance to win. During his career, many friends and peers urged him to run for Congress or a higher court, or even another higher political office, but Judge Shields refused, saying his "life and service belonged to the people of Sacramento". In keeping with this pledge, he wrote an annual birth message in the Sacramento Bee imparting his generous and intelligent philosophy and personal wisdom, applied to the problems of the time and looking into the future. He also was active in promoting and establishing the Boy Scout
movement in these region, and was an early president of the Golden Empire Council. Other accomplishments include being instrumental in the founding of the McGeorge School of Law
in Sacramento.
He was a dedicated Jeffersonian Democrat
and strong supporter of Congressman John Moss
and Governor Edmund Brown of California, serving in the honorary capacities in the campaigns of the later both for attorney general and for governor. He was known to be a confidant of presidents, senators, governors and educators.
He married Carolee Wiltsie of Sacramento in 1901, and they celebrated their fiftieth anniversary in 1951. Their only child died in infancy, which may have created the hunger for Judge Shields devotion to providing improvement in society for youth. Carolee was an accomplished pianist, but made a career of supporting her husband's career, acting as chauffeur, taking care of his somewhat fragile health, and always his devoted companion.
At age 95, there is an article in the Bee citing a huge ovation of over 1000 students at UC Davis in Davis, Yolo County, the college he established just west of Sacramento. In his annual birthday article, he called "The advanced years time to perfect life's work." He died at 100, and left his entire estate to Carolee, and simple rites were held, but his death was a time for the Bee to recall and record much about this very beloved citizen, Judge and advocate, whose legacy lives on to the many thousands of students who have gone to UC Davis, joined the Boy Scout's in Sacramento, faced the well-thought out opinions of his Judgements, enjoy the fruits of the land growing in California, and to those who simply looked forward to his April 4 Birthday philosophy article in the Bee.
Rancho Cordova, California
Rancho Cordova is a city in Sacramento County, California, USA, that incorporated in 2003. It is part of the Sacramento Metropolitan Area. The population was 64,776 at the 2010 census. Rancho Cordova is the Sacramento area's largest employment sub-center, with a daily influx of over 45,000...
on the American River
American River
The American River is a California watercourse noted as the site of Sutter's Mill, northwest of Placerville, California, where gold was found in 1848, leading to the California Gold Rush...
, Peter Joseph Shields was born to John Shields who emigrated in 1850 from Donegal, Ireland and Elizabeth Shields, née Bowe, who emigrated from Waterford, Ireland in 1855. Both parents had survived the Great Hunger or Potato Famine which occurred beginning in 1845, and both had walked the Panama Isthmus on foot to arrive in San Francisco, and later, Sacramento. His father John had participated in the Gold Rush
Gold rush
A gold rush is a period of feverish migration of workers to an area that has had a dramatic discovery of gold. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, and the United States, while smaller gold rushes took place elsewhere.In the 19th and early...
in California and dug up 80 nuggets to purchase the undeveloped property which became the Shields Ranch. He was the third child, and named Peter after his mother's first husband, who died of Cholera
Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
on the ship taking them from the isthmus of Panama to San Francisco, where she buried him in in the sandy cliffs of the new city.
Born 36 years after the death of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
and during Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
's term as president, he had an early interest in politics, society, justice, and agriculture, which his mother Elizabeth had become especially involved with, winning many prizes at the state fairs and participating in agricultural societies. His deeper interest seemed to be in preparing the youth of the country to take hold of the future. "I think it's time the old men should cease to distrust the youth by which they are surrounded," he once said. "The young people I meet fascinate me. I think there never has been a time when the youth of the country have been so well prepared for the duties ahead of them." A philosopher, he talked of the courage of the youth, and felt it had "Not been dimmed" by failure. He also spoke of liking "...Their rebellion against the outgrown condition of the past". He felt "That they are being well prepared for their impend responsibilities" and was proud that youth were coming out of University with the facts of history, but with "Minds that are told to form their own judgements."
He earned his first dollar trucking watermelons from the ranch to Sacramento. At 17 he graduated from Christian Brothers College in Sacramento, then studied law reading in the office of the distinguished Jurist Amos Catlin. Though he never smoked or drank, illness forced him to quit law during his twenties, but in this thirties, he was successively the private secretary to Governor James Budd
James Budd
James Herbert Budd was an American lawyer and Democratic politician. Involved in federal and state politics, Budd was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for the 2nd California district from 1883 to 1885, and later elected as the 19th Governor of California from 1895 until...
, Secretary of the State Agricultural Society, and a law partner of Hiram W. Johnson who later became Governor and a United States Senator.
In 1900, at 38, he was elected to the Superior Court
Superior court
In common law systems, a superior court is a court of general competence which typically has unlimited jurisdiction with regard to civil and criminal legal cases...
in Sacramento. During his years on the Bench, he took his mother's passion and philosophy for agriculture and became deeply embedded in the California Agricultural Law
Agricultural law
Agricultural law, sometimes referred to as Ag Law, deals with law on Agricultural infrastructure, seed, water, fertilizer, pesticide, etc.; Law on agricultural finance, Law on agricultural labour; agricultural marketing; Agricultural insurance, Farming rights, Land tenure and tenancy system and law...
, policies and culture.
Of all his accomplishments, he was most proud of being known as the father of UC Davis, which he founded nearly single-handedly in 1906, which has grown into a major university and hospital, the main library and street still bearing his name, and on campus there is an oak grove planted in his honor after his death, and the Shields White Flower Garden, established when his wife of 60 years, Carolee died. It contains many of her favorite flowers. He is acknowledged as the man who did most to push through the California State Legislature
California State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
a bill establishing the UC Davis Agricultural College, fought for the funds and even helped select the site. A Peter J. Shields Scholarship fund of $7500 was established in 1839.
In his spare time, her raised a prize-winning herd of Jersey Cattle and won so many prizes at the California State Fair, he finally withdrew to give others a chance to win. During his career, many friends and peers urged him to run for Congress or a higher court, or even another higher political office, but Judge Shields refused, saying his "life and service belonged to the people of Sacramento". In keeping with this pledge, he wrote an annual birth message in the Sacramento Bee imparting his generous and intelligent philosophy and personal wisdom, applied to the problems of the time and looking into the future. He also was active in promoting and establishing the Boy Scout
Boy Scout
A Scout is a boy or a girl, usually 11 to 18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement. Because of the large age and development span, many Scouting associations have split this age group into a junior and a senior section...
movement in these region, and was an early president of the Golden Empire Council. Other accomplishments include being instrumental in the founding of the McGeorge School of Law
McGeorge School of Law
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law is a private, ABA approved law school in the Oak Park neighborhood of the city of Sacramento, California. It is part of the University of the Pacific....
in Sacramento.
He was a dedicated Jeffersonian Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and strong supporter of Congressman John Moss
John E. Moss
John Emerson Moss was an American politician of the Democratic party, noted for his championing of the federal Freedom of Information Act through multiple sessions of the United States House of Representatives where he served from 1953 to 1978.Moss was born in Hiawatha, Carbon County, Utah, in...
and Governor Edmund Brown of California, serving in the honorary capacities in the campaigns of the later both for attorney general and for governor. He was known to be a confidant of presidents, senators, governors and educators.
He married Carolee Wiltsie of Sacramento in 1901, and they celebrated their fiftieth anniversary in 1951. Their only child died in infancy, which may have created the hunger for Judge Shields devotion to providing improvement in society for youth. Carolee was an accomplished pianist, but made a career of supporting her husband's career, acting as chauffeur, taking care of his somewhat fragile health, and always his devoted companion.
At age 95, there is an article in the Bee citing a huge ovation of over 1000 students at UC Davis in Davis, Yolo County, the college he established just west of Sacramento. In his annual birthday article, he called "The advanced years time to perfect life's work." He died at 100, and left his entire estate to Carolee, and simple rites were held, but his death was a time for the Bee to recall and record much about this very beloved citizen, Judge and advocate, whose legacy lives on to the many thousands of students who have gone to UC Davis, joined the Boy Scout's in Sacramento, faced the well-thought out opinions of his Judgements, enjoy the fruits of the land growing in California, and to those who simply looked forward to his April 4 Birthday philosophy article in the Bee.