shepardo
Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The
Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties,
State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing
Co., 1904.
ORSON P. SHEPARD, who resides
three and one-half miles northwest from Hartline, was born in Erie county,
New York, on January 31, 1851. His parents, Ormon R. and Lucinda
(Buck) Shepard, were natives of Erie county, also. Our subject was
educated in the schools of Wisconsin, whither he went at an early age with
his father. For thirty-three years he lived in that country, except
two, which he spent in Hillsdale county, Michigan. In 1886, Mr. Shepard
came to Washington, first settling in Sprague, where he remained three
years carpentering and building. In 1889, he moved to Douglas county
and took up a homestead on which place his family resided while he labored
in the improvement of it and also in building in Sprague. He had
very little means when he came here but has labored faithfully and has
helped to build many of the finest houses in this county. He built
the first house in Coulee City, which is now occupied by Hanson's blacksmith
shop, also the first house in Almira. He has built five school houses
in the vicinity and done much other work. Mr. Shepard has given especial
attention to farming in addition to carpentering and has gained a fine
estate of one entire section, all of which is in a high state of cultivation,
it being as choice wheat land as can be found in the county. During
his residence here, he has also taken an active interest in political matters
and local affairs, having held various offices, as constable, school director
and so forth. He has one brother and three sisters, Amos A., Mrs.
Julia Cady, Mrs. Maggie Pelton, Mrs. Alvira Klutz.
On November 2, 1872, at Leone, Wisconsin,
Mr. Shepard married Miss Ada Empy, who died in Wisconsin in 1880, leaving
two children, Gertrude, who also died in Wisconsin, and Mrs. Lillie Porter,
now living in Bernamwood, Wisconsin. On July 2, 1882, in Auroaville,
Wisconsin, Mr. Shepard contracted a second marriage, Mrs. Ellen B. Dildine
becoming his wife. Her parents, Thomas and Catherine (Wilson) Campbell,
were natives of Ireland and England, respectively, and the latter of Scotch
ancestrage. She was born in Wisconsin, in 1851, and has the following
brothers and sisters: Thomas, James, Robert, William, Luke, Frank, Mary,
Grace, Mrs. Kate Peterman, and Mrs. Jennie Summers. To this marriage
three children have been born, Clyde, Jennie B., and Nellie V. Mrs.
Shepard has three children by her former husband, Mrs. Kate Buchanan, Mrs.
Mary Rice, and Mrs. Martha Carr, all living in the Big Bend country.
Mr. Shepard is a member of the I. O. O. F.
and the Maccabees. In religious persuasions he and his wife are members
of the Salvation Army.
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