James Charles Shiels
- 8th Generation
- Parents: William Shiels & Mary McKenzie
- Born: Feb 13, 1903 in Keppel, Ontario
- Died: on Jun 4, 1960 at Quesnel, BC
- Married: Marjorie “Min” Coe on Dec 12, 1923 in Vancouver
- Occupation: Miner, Sawmill Operator, Violin maker
- Children: 3 – Arletta, Donald & William
James Charles Shiels was born Feb 13, 1903 in Keppel, Ontario, near Brussels. He was the only child of William Shiels & Mary McKenzie.
He moved with his parents to Burnaby, British Columbia and finished his schooling there. As a young man, he acquired work in the sawmills as an apprentice millwright.
He met Marjorie Clara Coe in 1923. They were married Dec 12, 1923 in Vancouver. Margaret was the daughter of a local merchant in Vancouver and was always called “Min”.
They lived in Burnaby during which time their daughter, Isabel Arletta (Bubbles), was born on Aug 31, 1924. A son, Donald James (Bud), was also born there on May 5, 1926. They moved for a time to Port Alberni where James received work at the local sawmill. James was introduced to the art of violin making and repair through a friend. At this time, the Great Depression was becoming a reality and work became scarce for everyone, particularly in the sawmill industry.
James and his family moved to Sidney, on Vancouver Island, and then on to Cranbrook, BC where a son, William George, was born on May 30, 1930. Shortly thereafter, James obtained employment with the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company and worked underground in the Sullivan lead zinc mine at Kimberley, BC. The family moved to the little town of Marysville, just south of Kimberley in 1931.
Acquiring a house for the family, James & Margaret, or “Min” as she became known to everyone, became greatly involved in community work and helping others in need. James or “Jim” now found time to take up his old interest in violin making and repair. He made a number of beautiful instruments, complete with his own formulas for varnishes that enhanced the tonal qualities of his instruments said to be beyond compare. That he was proficient at his art was made evident when the most famous violinists of the time, Fritz Chrysler, in the United States, heard of his expertise and commissioned Jim to repair one of his priceless Stradivarius violins.
About 1940, Jim resigned his underground work at the mine and started his own sawmill operation in the St. Mary’s Lake area with his son Donald. At that time, Donald was a promising young golfer and was seriously considering entering the professional tournament circuits. On Aug 5, 1943, daughter Isabel married John Kaye of Cranbrook at Regina, Saskatchewan while he was a member of the RCAF in pilot training.
During the war years, James and Min lived in Cranbrook, Creston, and Keremeos until they moved to Quesnel where Jim continued his work in the lumber and forest industry. Their son, Donald married Nelline Schug on Nov 8, 1948 and their youngest son, William married Veronica Gassoff in Barkerville, BC on Jul 3, 1949.
In later years, Jim’s work often took him northward as far as the Yukon Territory and it was it Atlin, Yukon that James became very ill and had to be returned to Quesnel for proper medical attention and family care. Members of the family were notified of the seriousness of his illness.
With all of his family present, Jim suffered heart failure and expired on Jun 4, 1960. He was buried in the Quesnel Cemetery.
Summary of James & Min’s Children
Isabel Arletta Shiels (1924-1998) & John Kaye
Isabel Arletta Shiels was born Aug 31, 1924 at Vancouver, BC. She was the 1st child of James Shiels and Min Coe. She was always known as “Bubbles”. She married John Kaye on Aug 5, 1943 at Regina, Saskatchewan while John was in training with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Four months after they were married, John was posted overseas and flew in the 408 Goose Squadron Bomber Command until 1945.
On his return to Canada, John and Isabel lived in Cranbrook while John tried a number of vocations from railroading, driving freightliners to commercial pilot in his transition to civilian life. In 1950 he won a competition for a position as a Customs and Excise Officer at the border port of Kingsgate, BC. In Jul 1962, they went to Prince George, BC. In Jun 1976, they returned to the Kootenays.
Isabel and John retired on Jan 11,1986 and took up genealogy as a hobby. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug 5, 1993 and continued to live in their dream home at Creston, BC and enjoy the balmy winters and bountiful summers in “Lotusland”. Their favourite pastime was visiting with their grandchildren.
Bubbles passed away Mar 2, 1998 in Creston and John passed on Dec 28, 1998. Both are buried Forest Lawn Cemetery at Creston, BC.
Isabel and John had 4 daughters, Judy, Bexie, Patricia and Shelley.
Donald James Shiels (1925-1970) & Nelline Marie Schug
Donald James Shiels, or Bud as he was known, was born May 5, 1925 at Burnaby, BC. He was the 2nd child of James “Jim” Shiels and Min Coe.
About 1940, Jim resigned his underground work at the mine and started his own sawmill operation in the St. Mary’s Lake area with his son Donald. At that time, Donald was a promising young golfer and was seriously considering entering the professional tournament circuits. He decided instead to work with his father and he continued working in various sawmills in Central, BC and the Lower Mainland. He became very proficient and was in demand as an excellent sawyer and scaler.
On Nov 8, 1948, he married Nelline Marie Schug at Keremeos, BC.
Bud always had heart problems. He signed up for the Army in WW2 but was returned home because of his heart condition.
Donald (Bud) and Nelline lived in Hedly, Copper Mountain and Princeton.
Bud & Nelline were divorced in 1966. Nelline and the children moved back to Keremeos. Bud continued to work in sawmills and was in Vancouver on Apr 14, 1970 when he died from heart failure & stroke. He was only 44 years old. Nelline continued to live in Keremeos until she passed away on Oct 30, 2024.
Donald (Bud) and Nelline had six children: Claire, Robert, Franklin, Richard, Dan and Karen.
William George Shiels (1930-2019) & Veronica Gassoff
William George Shiels was born May 30 1930 at Cranbrook, BC. He was the 3rd child of James Shiels and Min Coe.
He moved to Marysville with his parents where they lived until 1944. The family moved to Cranbrook and then to Creston, BC in 1945. The next move was to Keremeos in the spring of 1946 and they moved to Quesnel in the fall of 1947.
William married Veronica Gassoff in Barkersville, BC on Jul 3, 1949.
He worked for two years at the Department of Highways and one year for his father. He then went on to work for Weldwood of Canada at Quesnel. William was originally employed by Weldwood at their Quesnel operation about 1951. It was also around this time that Bill and Vera operated a trailer park, just south of Quesnel for a number of years.
After 16 years, William was transferred to the Williams Lake Weldwood operation in 1977 and worked there until his retirement on Dec 15, 1989. During this period, he was sent by the Company to Japan on a business trip.
After his retirement from Weldwood, William ran his own consulting business from 1989 to 1999. He travelled extensively throughout the US, as far south as Brazil and to Japan. He used years of experience and the wisdom and common sense he was blessed with by God, to trouble shoot, open up markets and recommend improvements.
In his retirement, William and Vera continue to reside at Williams Lake, BC before moving to Swift Current, Saskatchewan in Jul 2016 when they were forced out of their home by wildfires. William passed away there on May 20, 2019.
Bill & Vera had seven children: Sharon, Gordon, Ronald, Teresa, Joy, Ruth and Christine.