Shields, George Oliver (26 August 1846–11 November 1925), author, editor, and conservationist, was born in Batavia, Ohio, the son of John F. Shields and Eliza J. Dawson. He attended public school in Delaware County, Iowa, for only three months, which was the extent of his formal education. In late 1863 or early 1864 he enlisted in the Union army. He took part in Sherman’s “march to the sea” and was wounded in action at Resaca, Georgia, in May 1864. Shields was discharged from the army in July 1865, following what appears to have been a lengthy convalescence. After his discharge he traveled west, serving for a short time as an immigration agent in New Mexico. By some accounts, Shields was probably married, although few details are actually known....
