Edwin A. Shepardson, vice-principal of the Kansas Manual Training Normal School at Pittsburg, Kan., and instructor of mathematics, was born near Burlington, Vt., Oct. 1, 1865, son of Zeno L. and Sarah J. (Warren) Shepardson, natives of Vermont. Zeno L. Shepardson was a mechanic by trade, but at the call for volunteers at the outbreak of the Civil war enlisted in the Twelfth Vermont infantry and was in some of the fiercest battles of the war. He was with his regiment at the battles of Petersburg and Fredericksburg, and in a charge on the breastworks at the latter place the regiment was so badly cut up that the few remaining members were assigned to other commands. Mr. Shepardson now resides at the Soldiers' Home at Leavenworth. About 1870 Edwin A. accompanied his parents to Smith county, Kansas, where they settled on a homestead. The country was little settled up at that day, and their nearest neighbors were miles away and Indians not infrequent visitors. The father improved his land and lived on the farm for a number of years. After the death of his wife, he sold the homestead and moved away. Edwin A. attended the district school near his home, which was held in a sod school-house, and subsequently attended the public school at Blue Springs, Neb., where his father lived for a few years. After graduating in the high school at Blue Springs, he entered the preparatory department of Campbell College at Holton—then known as Campbell University. The next year he began teaching in Marshall county and taught in the country schools there five years; one year in the grades at Irving and three years as principal of the Oketo schools. During the summer vacations he continued his college work at Campbell College and completed a three-year course there. In 1896 he entered the State Normal School at Emporia and graduated in the Latin course in 1898. Never satisfied with the work he had accomplished, he has attended two summer quarters at the University of Chicago, taking special courses. After graduating from the normal school, he became principal of the Medicine Lodge schools for four years and then went to Anthony for one year, as superintendent. The next year, in 1903, at the time of its organization, he became associated with the Kansas State Manual Training Normal School, with which he has continued to be identified to the present time. In 1902 he was appointed a member of the State Board of Education and served in that capacity four years. He is a member of the Kansas State Teachers' Association; is vice-president of the Kansas Association of Mathematics Teachers; is a member of the Southeastern Kansas Teachers' Association, and belongs to the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic order, of the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, Knights and Ladies of Security, and of the Sons of Veterans. On May 14, 1896, Mr. Shepardson married Irene Chapman, of Oketo, Kan., and two children have been born to them: Ralph C., born in 1897, and Irene Eleanor, born in 1901. The family are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Shepardson is a self-made man and too much credit can not be given him for what he has accomplished. His education was acquired by his own unaided efforts, and his ability as an educator is recognized by his associates in the profession which he has chosen as a life work. The son of poor parents, he came with them to Kansas as a small boy, and by persistence, hard work, and determination has risen to a prominent place in one of the most noteworthy professions.