Even if your are new to the Lead Hill area your are probably familiar with Deshields creek named after this pioneer family. Handy Deshields was born on February 28, 1819, in Coffee, Tennessee, his father, Joel, was 37 and his mother, Charlotta, was 37. He married Nancy Emily Womack on March 14, 1843. They had 11 children in 23 years. William DeShields-1847–1865, Sarah Deshields 1849–1860, John Wesley/Wes Deshields-1849–1939, Ceborne Deshields-1850–, Marian Sebrian Deshields-1852–1938, George Calvin DeShields-1855–1926, William Brice Deshields-1856–1940, David Clayborn DeShields-1859–1907, Mary Frances DeShields- 1864–1945, Jacob Deshields-1866–1957, Alice Ann DeShields 1870–1965 Handy died on February 9, 1897, in Lead Hill, Arkansas, having lived a long life of 77 years. Mary Frances DeShields daughter of Handy and Nancy was the mother of the Richey clan tracing a heritage through many Lead Hill area families. Their son David Clayborn DeShields was born on October 10, 1859, married Nancy Emaline Richey and they had one daughter together, Dora who married Burt Green and is the mother of the Pioneer Green family who have influenced the community and school for many years. Daughter Alice Ann DeShields was born on March 9, 1870, married Alonzo R Richey on May 10, 1886. They had seven children in 20 years ,Maud, Nancy, Benny, Ernest, Elzie, Garland, Opel. and Handy's wife was was related to the Green family a large pioneer Family from the LH area. Ancestory.com list over 200 family trees that tie back to Handy and his wife Nancy Deshields. We already know of the Richey's, the Clary's the Hunter's, the Bailey's, the Casey's and many others, but other family tree names linked to Handy and Nancy Green Deshieds include Riddle, Richardson, Wilmoth, Norman, Wilkerson and many more.
John Wesley DeShields son of Handy and Nancy Womach DeShields
Interesting Turnbo interview with Mike Green patriarch of the Green Family - again a little bit of a long read but mentions both the to Handy DeShields and the Macedonia school houses which were also used as churches now believed to be the site of Enon Cemetery . Also discussed is the Green Cemetery which I believe is located on the Perry Raley place above the Parsley Farm. The small stream known as South Fork which enters East Sugar Loaf Creek just above the town of Lead Hill in Boone County, Arkansas, was settled in the early days. A number of old time people who have lived on this little water course have passed into the great beyond. Though their earthly remains are resting beneath the sod but their memory is still fresh in the minds of the present residents who occupy the small farms in this valley. There is life and enterprise among the inhabitants, most of which take an interest in education and religious matters. Two good schoolhouses stand in this valley that have been built by the recent settlers which are also used for church purposes. One of these buildings is known as the Macedonia church house. The other was named for Handy de Shields who was an old time resident of this section. There is a cemetery where the Macedonia house stands where a number of pioneer men and women are awaiting the final call at the great judgement day where we all will have to render an account of ourselves while living on earth. This village of silent sleepers is a beautiful spot for the repose of the dead. In speaking of the names of settlers who lived on South Fork when he came there he mentioned Mr. Pleas McBride, Jimmie Jackson, Joe Coker and Martha Ann Phipps who was Coker’s housekeeper, and the three de Shields brothers, Bill, Handy and John. Situated on Mr. Green’s land is an old time graveyard where his daughter Almeda Green, who died in the latter 50’s, was the first interment here. In referring to the building of the first schoolhouse in his neighborhood Mr. Green said that John M. Gill and Jimmie Jackson had the honor of building the first schoolhouse on South Fork. The house was put up near where the Macedonia church house now stands and John M. Gill was the first teacher that taught a school on this creek which was taught in this same house.
Jacob Deshields and Family- brother of Mary Frances Deshields Richey and Son of Handy Deshields
Granny Mary Deshields Richey with grandchildren Bobby Clary and Dorthy Clary Austin
Granny Mary Deshields Richey with grandson Billy Clary
John & Mary Frances Deshields Richey Grandchildren
Dennie and Ruby Austin DeShields Dennie DeShields was born on March 25, 1886, in Lead Hill. His father, was John, his mother, Frances Green DeShields. (daughter of Sugarloaf pioneer Michael Green. His Grandparents Sugarloaf pioneers Handy and Nancy Emily Womack DeShields . He married Ruby Lee Austin Great Granddaughter of Sugarloaf pioneers Raleigh "Rollin" and Mary Ann Austin on September 21, 1910, in Lead Hill, Arkansas. They had eight children in 16 years. Opal DeShields(1915–1989), Homer Deshields(1916–1990), Virgil DeShields(1918–2009) Cuma DeShields(1920–2011), Luciene DeShields(1922–2009) D. W DeShields(1924–2009) John Dean DeShields(1927–2021) Paul DeShield(1930–)He died on May 7, 1969, in Bentonville, Arkansas, at the age of 83, and was buried in Rogers, Arkansas. If you travel to Rogers there is a lovely avenue named DeShields in Bentonville. It is close to Chrystal Bridges Art Museum. The street is named after John Dean DeShields who worked for Bentonville city maintenance dept. He was son of Dennie and Ruby Austin DeShields.
Dennie and Ruby Austin DeShields with sons John Dean and Paul
Early picture of Dennie Deshields
Dennie and Ruby Austin Deshields
Denny, Ruby, Opal & Homer DeShields
Dennie and Ruby Austin Deshields
Dennie and Ruby Austin DeShields Headstone - Rogers AR