Benjamin Howard Shepard family of Edwards County, Illinois.

Benjamin Howard Shepherd's great-grandparents, Thomas Shepherd (1773) born in Hertfordshire, England, and Ann (Hill) Shepherd (January 21, 1777) born London, England, married in St. Andrews Church, Hertford, England October 11. 1810.

Their children:

     1.Thomas Jr., born November 16, 1811, died 1891

    2.Elizabeth Hill Shepherd, born November 5, 1813

    3.Joseph Bosworth Shepherd, born November 5, 1815

They came to America in April of 1818, with the Richard Flower family and received citizenship June 2, 1818, in New York City. On January 21, 1819. Thomas Shepherd entered 160 acres of land, which is on the east side of the Meridian Road, and north of State Highway 15. He built the second log cabin in Edwards County, died soon after and was buried on his homestead. Ann (Hill) Shepherd died on the homestead, March 17,1862, and was buried in Albion Cemetery.

Thomas Jr. married Mrs. Permelia (Michels) Brown in 1847.They moved to Grayville during the Civil War and are buried there. Thomas Jr. died February 7, 1891 in the home of his son Joseph A. Shepherd.

They had one child

Joseph A. born 1848, died November 23, 1919. He married Laura Batson, born April 15, 1849, died Nov23, 1940 daughter of Ben & Maria Melrose.

Their children are:

1.Emma B. (Dec 15, 1871-June 30, 1951)

2.Rosamond (July 8, 1873-November 18, 1966) married Sydney A. Sexton

3.Constance Laura (Aug 10, 1882 to Apr 15, 1973) married Daniel Sayer

4.Mabelle E. (January 19, 1885-December 3, 1972)

5.Mary Frances (December 17, 1887-May 6, 1924)

6.Benjamin Howard born Oct 3, 1891

Benjamin Howard Shepherd was married Nov 7, 1920 to Claribel Racster, daughter of Joseph Sydney and Martha Grace (West) Racster.

Their two children:

1.Donald Joseph born December 23, 1922, married (1st) Feb 21, 1943, Patsy Dean Hull: their children are:

1.Donald Eugene (April 14, 1944)

2.Debra Lou (December 16, 1949)

Donald Joseph married 2nd to Faye Sanders August 26, 1955.

1.Sandra Lynn was born Feb 2, 1959.

2.Frances Lucille Shepherd (August 29, 1927) married Feb 14, 1949 to George Charles Works. Their children:

1.Rebecca Ann (March 7, 1950)

2.George Marshall Works (October 10,1953)

Source; “Edwards County Illinois, Past & Present”,  Page 396