Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 974 - 976

MR. THOMAS J. SHEPPARD, of the firm of Miller & Sheppard, real-estate agents, located at Wichita, are doing a fine business, and have several buildings, both resident and business houses. One block of which they are the owners attracts the attention of strangers to the city by the beauty of its architecture, and for its conveniently arranged interior. It is of brick, three stories in height; the lower floor is entirely taken up by two large stores, and the other stories are devoted to offices, parlors, etc. The firm also owns valuable property outside of the city.

            Mr. Sheppard was born in Moniteau County, Mo., Aug. 25, 1844. His parents were Alfred B. and Emily (Dauthit) Sheppard, natives of Kentucky. His father was born in 1816, and in 1837 moved to Missouri; he was a carpenter by occupation. His marriage took place in 1835. He was a Lieutenant in the Black Hawk War, and his widow afterward received a land warrant for the services he rendered at that time. In his politics he was an old-line Whig, and stood by that party until his death. He was an active and valiant member of the Christian Church. He was early called from the scenes of earth, and in his death in 1845 the county lost a highly esteemed citizen, and his neighbors a kind friend. His estimable wife survived him many years; she was killed by a runaway team while crossing a railway track in September, 1863; she was a woman of fine constitution, and with remarkable powers of endurance, coming of a long-lived race. She was a faithful member of the church. To her and her husband were born four children, all of whom are now deceased except the subject of this sketch.

            Mr. Sheppard, the subject of this biography, received a good education in the common schools, and in the High School at California, the county seat of Moniteau County. His first occupation, when a lad of fourteen years, was in spitting rails to fence his mother's farm, and during the three following years he fenced the entire farm, and took care of his widowed mother. When he was seventeen years of age he enlisted in the Union army as a private in Company A, 7th Missouri Cavalry, and for nineteen months engaged with patriotic ardor in fighting the battles of his country. He was then discharged from the service, as he was seriously ill with measles, which nearly cost him his life. After he became convalescent he entered the State militia as Captain of Company K, 126th Regiment, and served until the expiration of his term of enlistment.

            In 1867 Mr. Sheppard discarded secular employment and entered the ministry of the Methodist Protestant Church, occupying the pulpit for eighteen years. During that time be did faithful service for the cause of the Master, and was instrumental in bringing many sinners within the pale of the church, over a thousand people being brought to see the error of their ways by his burning and eloquent words. By his zealous labors he built seven church edifices in his various pastorates. In 1877 he was elected delegate by the Missouri Conference to represent the Methodist Protestant Church of that State in the General Conference at the city of Baltimore.

            On the 7th of April, 1863, our subject was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Sarah F. Poe. She was born in Dade County, Mo., Nov. 29, 1846. Their union was blessed by the birth of seven children, namely: Mary F., Jennie E., William A., Emma, James E., Hattie B. and Walter. Jennie married Charles E. Collett, and resides at No. 625 Allen avenue; he is a contractor and builder. William married Miss Victoria Hoggett. The only grief that overshadowed the happy married life of the Rev. Mr. Sheppard and his wife was the death of their beloved daughters, Mary and Emma. Mary died at the age of twelve years; she was a remarkable child, a fine scholar, and one of the bright lights of earth, though so young, being a type of all that is innocent and lovely. She died in the faith of her Savior, and a sweet life beyond the grave. Emma's death took place at the age of fourteen, the result of an accident, being burned to death from the igniting of gas from a gasoline stove, at her home in Wichita. The home of Mr. Sheppard was once more invaded by death, and the kind wife and loving mother was no more; she was called away by her Heavenly Father March 11, 1884; she was a true lady in every respect, and was of genuine worth and high moral character, and devoted to the Christian principles which she espoused.

            Mr. Sheppard's second marriage took place June 12, 1885, at which time he was united to Miss Ina B. Thurston, the daughter of Dexter and Mary (Rhodes) Thurston. They were natives of Maine, moved to Wichita in the spring of 1885, and subsequently returned to Maine. She was born in Northport, Waldo Co., Me., Sept. 29, 1857; she is also of the household of the faithful. One child, Ina May, has blessed their union.

            Mr. Sheppard came to Kansas in 1884 and located on a farm near Wichita, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, still continuing to preach. At the expiration of a year's residence on that farm he sold it and moved into the city, and after remaining in retirement for a year entered into his present business.

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