Central California Biographies

A memorial and biographical history of the coast counties of Central California : illustrated : containing 
a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its discovery to the 
present time, together with glimpses of its auspicious future, illustrations and full-page portraits of 
some of its eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers, and prominent citizens of 
to-day (1893)

Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Author: Barrows, Henry D; Ingersoll, Luther A

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 


WILLIAM A. SHEPHERD, of Monterey, California, is a native of Lee county, Iowa, born 
December 23, 1845. His father, Joseph Shepherd, of San Jose, came overland to the 
Pacific coast in 1859, from Iowa, where he had for many years resided, engaged in 
farming. He was born in Ohio. He brought with him to this State his wife and five 
children, and after their arrival here another child was born to them. His wife, who 
before her marriage was Jeannette Hendricks, is still living at Saratoga, Santa Clara 
county, the place where they first located. 

In 1864 William A. Shepherd enlisted as a volunteer in Company H, Second Cavalry, 
and fought the Indians on the plains in the region of Paradise valley, at Winnemucca, 
and other places. He enlisted for three years service, but served two years only, the 
war having closed. 

Returning to Saratoga, he spent two years there, after which he located in Tulare 
county, where he remained sixteen years, engaged in the manufacture of brick. He 
owned a ranch of fifty acres near Tulare city. In 1887 he sold out, and bought of D. K. 
Frazier his present ranch, 200 acres. He raises hay and stock, and conducts a dairy. 
On his ranch is one of the finest fruit orchards in Monterey county, the climate and 
soil of his immediate locality being rich and well adapted to fruit culture. 

Mr. Shepherd was united in marriage, at San Jose, in 1871, to Miss Rachel Jones, 
daughter of Thomas Jones, a farmer. She is a native of Illinois. Their seven children 
are as follows: Oscar, George, Benjamin, Henry, Caroline, Myrta and "Walter. 

Mr. Shepherd is a thorough business man, and has the confidence of a wide circle of 
acquaintances.