Dolphus Shields residence

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Dolphus Shields residence

The Dolphus Shields residence was a one-story frame house at 850 Lomb Avenue built around 1900 by carpenter Dolphus Shields for himself and his family.

Dolphus moved to Birmingham with his wife, Alice, in 1888, but they separated and he married a younger woman named Mattie (and later had two other wives). He opened a carpentry shop in 1911 and was one of the co-founders of First Ebenezer Baptist Church Smithfield, and later Trinity Baptist Church.

Shields celebrated his 90th birthday at his home in 1949 and died a year later. In 1964 it was inhabited by Percy Jackson.

The house was later demolished.

References

  • Polk's Birmingham (Jefferson County, Ala.) City Directory (1964) Richmond, Virginia: R. L. Polk & Co.
  • Swarns, Rachel L. and Jodi Kantor (October 7, 2009) "In First Lady’s Roots, a Complex Path From Slavery" The New York Times
  • Vickery, Scottie and Rahkia Nance (October 9, 2009) "Birmingham resident whose family knew Dolphus Shields says Michelle Obama has proud heritage." The Birmingham News