California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


EUGENE SHEPHERD. All his life Mr. Shepherd has been engaged in the cattle and meat 
business, being one of the best posted cattlemen in the state. While he is a young man, he has 
already attained a high position in the business world, being considered one of the most 
influential citizens of Laton. A native of California, he wa9 born in San Juan, June 9, 1874. His 
father, William N. Shepherd, was born in the state of Kentucky and in 1849 crossed the plains to 
this state, being one of the earliest pioneers. Unlike most of the men who came here in those 
days, Mr. Shepherd did not enter the mines, but engaged in the stock business near the 
present town of Hollister. Later he was also the owner of a general merchandise store, and in 
addition conducted a hotel in what is now Hollister. Subsequently fie disposed of his interests 
there and settled in San Benito county, where he followed farming and stockraising until 1869. 
In that year he took up his residence in San Juan and conducted an eating house in that place. 
Later he moved to Gilroy, purchasing a livery and feed stable, which he conducted for several 
years. From there he finally removed to San Luis Obispo county and later to San Juan, where he 
was living at the time of his death at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife, who was a native 
of Clark county, Ill., died in Gilroy. By her marriage she became the mother of eleven children, 
three sons and eight daughters. 

The education of Eugene Shepherd was limited, as at the age of fourteen he was left an orphan 
and has since been compelled to make his own way in the world. For a time he engaged in the 
stock business in the San Benito mountains, but in 1898 removed to Kings county, near the 
town of Hanford. There he followed the same business that he was formerly interested in, 
continuing to make it his home until 1 90 1, when he became a resident of Fresno county, 
locating on the place that has since been his home, and which consists of one hundred acres of 
as fine land as can be found in this section of the county. Here he is now conducting a profitable 
dairy and stock business, it being his intention to purchase more land as his means will allow 
and gradually increase his business interests in that direction. The first day of January, this year, 
he opened a first-class modern meat market in the town of Laton, and from the first has met 
.with excellent success. In connection with this he buys and sells a large number of cattle, 
owning at the present time about four hundred head. 

In the city of Fresno was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Shepherd and Miss Jennie Cameron, 
and to them have been born two children : Hazel Pearl and Alfred Eugene. Mr. Shepherd is a 
stanch Republican, and while he has no desire to seek office for himself, he is active in 
promoting the candidacy of his friends. Ever since he was fourteen years of age he has been 
obliged to fight the battle of life alone and unaided. That in these few years he has attained 
such an influential position speaks well for his ability. Perseverance and integrity are sure to 
bring success, and the many friends of Mr. Shepherd join 'in wishing him years of prosperity 
and happiness.