Winfield Scott Shepherd

POWELL, SHEPHERD

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/8/2004 at 12:05:43

Winfield S. Shepherd was brought to this county by his parents more than sixty years ago, when he was a little lad of only about five years, and has there-fore witnessed the growth and development of the district from pioneer times to the present. He has lived retired in Earlham for the last decade but was long and actively identified with agricultural interests here and is still the owner of two hundred and fifty acres of valuable land.

The birth of Mr. Shepherd occurred in Putnam county, Indiana, in November, 1849, his parents being Jesse P. and Martha (Shepherd) Shepherd, who were natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. In the spring of 1853 they made their way to Warren county, Iowa, and in the following spring came to Madison county. The father was a blacksmith by trade, but following his arrival in this county he purchased a tract of land near Winterset, in the Guye neighborhood, and began clearing and improving the property, operating the same for a few years. The winter of 1856 proved terribly severe. The family lived in a log house and it was necessary to stretch a sheet across the rafters above the bed to keep off the snow. On many nights Mr. Shepherd was obliged to arise and shovel a path to the fireplace. Eventually he disposed of the farm and for a time resided in Winterset. In 1859 he removed to Kansas and a short time later returned to Indiana, in which state he followed farming until 1862. In that year he again came to Madison county, Iowa, and here purchased land which he cultivated until about 1888 or 1889, when he moved to Winterset, where he died on the 27th of February, 1893. For one year he had served as a soldier in the Mexican war. Mrs. Shepherd was called to her final rest on the 3d of 'October, 1891.

Winfield S. Shepherd, who was not yet five years of age when brought to this county by his parents, acquired his education in the country schools of Douglas township. When nineteen years of age he began teaching and successfully followed the profession for twelve years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, buying a tract of forty acres on section 22, Madison township, and subsequently augmenting his holdings by additional purchase until he now owns two hundred and fifty acres of rich and productive land. He cleared the entire farm and made all of the improvements thereon and for twenty-two years was actively engaged in its operation, the well tilled fields annually yielding golden harvests in return for the care and labor he bestowed upon them. In January, 1905, he took up his abode in Earlham and has there since resided in honorable retirement.

On the 1st of February, 1883, Mr. Shepherd was united in marriage to Miss Florence Powell, a daughter of Ruel and Jane (Goff) Powell, both of whom were natives of Indiana. The father was brought to this county by his parents when seven years of age and was here educated and reared to manhood. As soon as his age and strength permitted he began farming, coming into possession of the old home place in Madison township that had been entered by his father and operating the property during the remainder of his life. His demise occurred in April, 1900, but his widow survives at the age of sixty-nine years and makes her home in Earlham. She came to this state with her parents in the year 1860 and her daughter, Mrs. Shepherd, was born in Madison township, this county in July 1865.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Shepherd has supported the men and measures of the republican party and his fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to positions of public trust. He served as township clerk of Madison township for twenty-two years, was secretary of the school district for sixteen years and held the office of treasurer for two years. After removing to Earlham he acted as city clerk for four years and is the present assessor, having served in that office for two years. As a public official he has made a most creditable record, ever discharging the duties devolving upon him in an efficient and commendable manner. In all relations of life he has proven himself upright, honorable and straightforward, well worthy of the high regard in which he is uniformly held.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915’