Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Shiras received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1853, and an Artium Magister degree in 1856 from Ohio University, and a Bachelor of Laws from Yale Law School in 1856.

During the American Civil War, he was in the United States Army, where he served as a First Lieutenant in the JAG Corps from 1862 to 1863.

[1] Shiras was nominated by President Chester A. Arthur on August 3, 1882, to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, to a new seat authorized by 22 Stat.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 4, 1882, and received his commission the same day.

[1] Following his retirement from the federal bench, Shiras returned to private practice in Dubuque from 1903 to 1916.