William W. Shepard (1902)

DRAKE, SHEPARD

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 12/30/2023 at 12:44:47

The Stuart Herald
Stuart, Iowa
Friday, April 11, 1902
Page 3, Column 3

Death of W. W. Shepard

One of the saddest duties that has come to us recently is to record the death of our friend and neighbor, W. W. Shepard.

It has been a pleasure to have known him in life. His unyielding loyalty to his country, his abundant charity for all, his fidelity to all the duties of life and kind and thoughtful care of his family, endear him to all. It can be truthfully said of him, that no one ever came to him in distress and was turned away empty. Modest and unassuming, he was intensely interested in all that concerned his neighbors and friends was ever ready to perform his duties as a citizen, with a kindly feeling, but a determined purpose.

The deceased was born in Westfield, Massachusetts, Jan. 30, 1832, died April 7, 1902, aged 70 years, 2 months and 7 days. His family moved to Williamsfield, Ohio, about 1839, where he resided until the war of the Rebellion, when on May 20, 1861, he enlisted in Company B., 23rd O.V.I., served about eighteen months, when he fell from a ledge of rocks and was so disabled that he resigned as lieutenant. He re-enlisted Dec. 1863 in the 4th Iowa infantry and served until wounded at Kingston, North Carolina, March 28, 1865. He was married to Miss Christie Ann Drake, of Cass county, Iowa, where they made their home until 1864, when they moved to or near Newton, Iowa, where they resided about nineteen years. They then moved to the vicinity of Stuart, Iowa, where they have resided ever since.

His children were all with him when the change came but Chauncie, who lives at Muncie, Indiana. He has been an active member of the G.A.R. as long as he was able to attend their meetings, having joined the order about twenty years ago. During the latter years of his life he has been a consistent member of the M.E. church, though in the years before he joined the church he possessed that Christian charity which is the result of a Christian heart.

He was taken with paralysis about six years ago and for the last two years has been nearly helpless. During all the time of his affliction without a murmur he was resigned to the will of the Great Creator and only awaited with patience the time when he could be released from the mortal body.

As a community we tender our heartfelt sympathy to his wife, children and friends, who have tenderly nursed him during the long years of his affliction.

The funeral service was held at the M.E. church, Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. McCurdy. Maxwell post G.A.R. of Stuart, under Commander C. H. Berner, assisted by comrades J. Q. Reynolds, A. J. Ticknor and Mr. McCleary, of the Dexter post, were present at the funeral in honor of their deceased comrade, and rendered the funeral service of the Grand Army at the grave.
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Transcriber's note: First name taken from death certificate of wife, Christy Ann Drake Shepard.
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Coordintor's note: Per census data, the Shepards lived in Madison County from before 1895 through at least 1900.

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Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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