John was born to John W. and Elizabeth (Dowling) Fields. He grew up in Iowa with nine siblings: Kathleen, Mary, James, Timothy, (John P), Elizabeth, Helen, Margaret, Francis, and Charles.

John met his wife, Zola, at a Barn Dance south of Farnhamville in 1933. The couple married on October 27, 1934 in Omaha, Nebraska.

John and Zola lived in the Paton area until late 1935, moving to a farm south of Moorland, Iowa.

In 1943, they moved to the home farm south of Paton.

In 1966, John and Zola retired and moved to Paton where she continued to live until her death.

Survivors include one son, Jerry Fields and his wife, Mary Jane of Paton, IA;

four grandchildren:
1. John W. Fields and wife, Andrea, of Plain, WI
2. Cari Schaffer and her husband, Tony, of Lancaster, WI
3. Pat Fields and his wife, Michelle, of Paton, IA
4. Bill Fields and his wife, Christy, of Pella, IA

six great-grandchildren
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1910 United States Federal Census
Home in 1910: Paton, Greene, Iowa
Race: White
Relation to Head of House: Son
Attended School: Yes
Household Members:
John W Fields 42
Elizabeth A Fields 38
Kathleen Fields 12
Mary Fields 10
James Fields 9
Timothy L Fields 6
John Fields 4
Elizabeth Fields 3
Helen Fields 1 11/12 
Margaret Fields 11/12 
Martha Mckeon 21 servant from Ireland
Joseph G Crookston 38 hired man from NY
Timothy J Hickey 45 hired man from Ireland

1920 United States Federal Census
Home in 1920: Paton, Greene, Iowa
Able to Speak English: Yes
Attended School: Yes
Household Members:
John W Fields 52
Elizabeth Fields 48
Kathryn Fields 22
Mary Fields 20
James Fields 18
Timothy Fields 16
John Fields 14
Elizabeth Fields 12
Helen Fields 11
Margarette Fields 10
Francis Fields 8
Charles Fields 6
James Dowling 78 (grandfather)

Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925
Residence Date: 1 Jan 1925
Residence Place: Paton, Greene, Iowa, USA
Marital Status: Single
Father: J M Fields [J W Fields] 
Father Birth Year: abt 1868 in Illinois
Mother: Elizabeth Dowling [Elizabeth D Fields] 
Mother Birth Year: abt 1872 in Iowa
Parents' Marriage Place: Iowa
Household Members:
J W Fields 57
Elizabeth D Fields 53
Kathleel Fields 27
Mary Fields 24
James Fields 23
Timothy Fields 21
John P Fields 19
Elizabeth Fields 17
Helen Fields 16
Margret Fields 15
Francis Fields 12
Charles Fields 11

1930 United States Federal Census
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Occupation: Farm Laborer
Industry: General Farm
Class of Worker: Unpaid member of the family
Household Members:
John W Fields 62
Elizabeth A Fields 57
Timothy F Fields 26
John P Fields 24
Elizabeth A Fields 22
Helen L Fields 21
Margaret M Fields 20
Francis J Fields 17
Charles J Fields 16

1940 United States Federal Census
Home in 1940: Elkhorn, Webster, Iowa
Farm: Yes
Residence in 1935: Elkhorn, Webster, Iowa
Occupation: Farmer
House Owned or Rented: Owned
Value of Home: 3000
Highest Grade Completed: College, 2nd year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 60
Class of Worker: Employer
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Household Members:
John P Fields 34
Zola Fields 28

U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Name: John Fields
Last Residence: 50217 Paton, Greene, Iowa, USA
Born: 5 Jul 1905
Died: Feb 1985
State (Year) SSN issued: Iowa (1956)