HENRY C. SHEPARD. A native of the Green Mountain State, our subject early imbibed the spirit of Yankee shrewdness which distinguishes the "down Easters," modified and blended by the influence that his father as a professional man brought into the family. His mother was a typical New England woman, with a large degree of ability, and deeply versed in all branches of the culinary art, one who governed her household with a firm hand, and at the same time was gentle and mild. His father was Dr. Roswell Shepard, a native of Barry, Vt., and his mother was Lydia (Sprague) Shepard, who was born in Brimfield, that State. The father practiced his profession in Vermont, Massachusetts and New York, and from the last named State removed to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he lived until his decease, which occurred in Palestine, that county.

The widow of Dr. Roswell Shepard, came to Moultrie County and spent her last days with our subject, who had previous to this, settled here. He was the third child in order of birth in a family of five children, three of whom are living: Neman died when two years old, and Hamblin died after reaching maturity; he was killed in Shreveport, La. Henry C. was born in Montpelier, Vt., May 11,1826, he was thirteen years of age when his father went to Pickaway County, Ohio. There he grew to manhood, continuing to live under his father's roof until 1841, when he determined to strike out in a new direction for himself, and to see what the world contained for a young man with strength, energy and ambition. He engaged in various kinds of business, and for a time was employed by A. McCrea in the dry-goods business, during which time he farmed two hundred and fifty acres of land. This was in 1854, the dryest year known up to the present time.

After his advent into this county, our subject was engaged for a period of three years in farming and dealing in stock, at the expiration of which time he returned to Pickway County, and there remained until 1879. He was engaged in trading, and during the war, was occupied as sutler in the army for two or three years. After that he went to Franklin County, Ohio, and was there married, December 11, 1862, to Miss Jennie Armstrong, who was born in Columbus, Ohio. She was a daughter of William Armstrong. This gentleman died at the age of ninety-three years. By this marriage he of whom we write became the father of two children: Harry D., a resident of Columbus, Ohio; and William A., who lives on his father's farm in Lovington Township. Mrs. Jennie Shepard died August 22, 1867, deeply mourned by husband and sons.

In 1879 Mr. Shepard returned to Moultrie County and settled on section 2, Lovington Township, where he has since been a resident. Since his return he has been engaged in general farming, and has made a specialty of the breeding of fine horses, having some thoroughbreds upon his place that have been registered. He also is the owner of some fine Short-horn cattle, and breeds the same. He is the proprietor of two hundred and forty acres of land which boasts the best of improvements. His buildings are first class, and the appointments of his place show him to be a thorough farmer and general manager.

Politically Mr. Shepard has always fraternized with the Democratic party, and although personal worth is more to him than party favor, he recognizes the fact that divided allegiance does not tend to the strengthening of government. He has filled the office of Highway Commissioner most acceptably.

After his marriage, the original of our sketch purchased a large farm in Pickaway County, Ohio, which he carried on in connection with stock breeding and dealing. Although a portion of his time spent in Ohio was passed in Columbus, which was the city of his residence, he carried on general farming for the greater portion of his time. In 1875 he undertook the management of a larger tract of land, comprising about one thousand acres, at the same time operating his own farm. He also had charge of ten miles of turnpike, and settled three estates which entailed no small amount of work and time. In 1855, when our subject first came to Moultrie County, he rode on horseback from Pickaway County, Ohio, to Lovington, and although the journey must have been tedious and tiresome, no such idea of the resources and nature of the land can be gained now-a-days in our whirls by night and day over hundreds of miles, as in the equestrian journey, enjoyed at that time, by our subject. A man of many resources, Mr. Shepard has been able to meet and disarm every unfavorable barrier to his progress in life. He is a successful farmer and an intelligent man, possessing personally, great advantages. A fine conversationalist, his experience with men and his dealings in various fields, have given him a knowledge of human nature that enables him to enjoy it in all its phases. No rascal so smooth or finished but who, to him, has some redeeming trait. No man so good, but that he has his frailties that are to be condoned. Although he has been so largely engaged in business, with so much to occupy his time and attention in the various periods of his career his password to success has ever been thoroughness and an adherence to the principles of rectitude and honor. His sons are men grown, who have taken upon themselves the responsibilities of life, and have established homes of their own. Harry D. married Miss Nora Shirey, and is the head of a pleasant home; William A., who married Miss Marietta Marks, is a farmer in Lovington Township, and young as he is, has already acquired a reasonable degree of success.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 380/381

Transcription copyright 2003/2007, Moultrie County ILGenWeb/USGenWeb