Shepherd, William 1852 - 1939

SHEPHERD, HANKES, MINNICK

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 12/13/2012 at 15:56:07

Postville Herald, Thur., 9 Feb. 1939. Condensed from a longer obit.

Wm. Shepherd, Ex-Town Clerk, Passes Away. His 48 Years As Town Clerk Set Record Unequalled In State Of Iowa.

Wm. Shepherd, 86, retired town clerk and attorney, passed away Monday morning at Postville hospital, where he had made his home for the past three years, and funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at Masonic Hall in this city. The services were in charge of Rev. J. Ian Fraser, pastor of the Community Presbyterian church, and of Brotherly Love Lodge, No. 204, A.F. & A.M., with Ray R. Douglass officiating for the lodge.

Wm. Shepherd was born in New Pit Sligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on December 6, 1852, coming to the United States with his parents and family in 1868. The family first settled on a farm north of Postville. A short time later they moved to Postville, which has been Mr. Shepherd's home since with the exception of two years, 1878-80, when he and his brother John went to Nebraska and took up a claim.

Having returned to Postville, he became recorder (as the town clerk was called at that time) in 1886, which position he held continuously for 48 years, or until April of 1934. He held the distinction of having served contiuously in a municipal office longer than any other person in the state of Iowa.

In 1882 he was married to Mrs. Margot Hankes, of Monona, and to them one son was born. Mrs. Shepherd passed away when the son, Arthur, was nine years old. Later he married Elizabeth Minnick, who passed away a few years ago.

Mr. Shepherd was a member of the Masonic fraternity and was a past Master of the local lodge. The funeral services were held at the Masonic hall in Postville.

He is survived by his son, Arthur, of Omaha, Neb., two brothers, Hugh of Postville and James L. of Los Angeles, Calif., and by a number of nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

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Submitter is not related.

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