Father: Thomas Shiels Siblings: Thomas 1819 John 1826 George 1828 Anne 1831 William 1833
Jean Shiels
- 6th Generation
- Parents: Thomas Shiels & Barbara Jean Cranston
- Born: Jul 23, 1821 in Biggar, Scotland
- Died: May 20, 1907 in Wingham, Ontario, Canada
- Married James Anderson
- Occupation: Boarding House, Farmer
- Children: 8
Jean Shiels was born born Jul 23, 1821 at East Mains, Coulter, Lanarkshire, Scotland. She was the 3rd child of Thomas Shiels & Barbara Jean Cranston. She was very good looking and a very smart girl.
She received a minimum education in the school on the Duke of Buccleuch’s estate and at a young age she went to work on a dairy farm owned by the Anderson family. After a few years there, in 1846, she married James Anderson, the owner’s son.
The young couple stayed on the family farm for several more years, during which time three children were born to them. James was born in 1848, Barbara on Jun 4, 1849 and Helen on Nov 22, 1852. The young family sailed for Canada in 1853. They stopped for a short time near Whitby and then came west to what is now Dublin, Ontario. In those days, it was called Irish Town.
James and Jean ran a boarding house there for three years and a son Thomas was born there on May 28, 1854. When land became available, James and Jean attempted to obtain a homestead in Grey Township across the road from Jeans’ brother John but a claim jumper spoiled their plans.
They were successful in obtaining a 200-acre homestead on the 6th concession of Turnberry Township. James and Jean had four more children there. Jane was born on Sept 1, 1857, Jessie on Oct 22, 1859, Robert on Mar 15, 1861 and Mary in 1867.
Upon the death of James Sr on Aug 22, 1885, the land passed to Jean his widow, and to Jean and John Raky, Mary Anderson, Ellen Richardson (a widow) and an interest to John Shiels (Jane’s brother) and John’s wife Janet.
Jean died on May 20, 1907 at age 85 and is buried in Wingham.