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.
 
 

BACK