Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-07-11
OBITUARY.

The intelligence of the death Of William ].
Sheppard at his residence in Port Byron on
the 9th inst was received too late for notice
in last weeks paper. In the death of Mr..
Sheppard, communities in this and Henry
Counties in business relations have suffered
an irreparable loss. His business associates
have lost an abe coadjutor, bis acqusin-
tances q friend to whom they were endeared
by his constant exhibition of sterling virtue;
the country q stsunoh and patriotic citizen,
and his wife and children one whom they
justly reverenced.
In this community for the past twenty
years Mr.. Sheppard has occupied a position
of honorable prominence. A native OF
Scotland, he emigrated to this country in
early manhood and without the advantages
of education, and without no other capital
than his un%tiring energy industry and hon
orAble impulses has achieved, in every point
of view a profitable life.
His course was not one constantly emily
ened BY the smiles of fortune, but was rather
one of constant struggle. And his every
success was well deserved by being vel
earned.
Upon coming to this country he first set
tied in New Jersey, and engaged in manu-
featuring; after which he pursued the same
avocation 10 New York and Lowell Mass.
Upon the discovery of gold in California
he was among the FIRST to visit the shores o
the then far off Pacific. After several year
of srduous labor, contending with almos
every hardship and privssion, he sccpmuIs
ted q handsome competence, which he IN
vested in California securities, and returned
TO the States for his family. He soon lesrne,
that the fruits of his labors, sufferings al,
dangers wero swept away By the failur
of his agent.
Starting anew, without any abatement c
his fortitude, he came to the State of lIlinoi
in 1850, settling upon g farm in Whitesld
county bot his energies crsved a wider feel
D Of action. He came to this county and er
' gagged in general business, since which tim
D he has, in those localities in which he IA
o been, engaged to every industrial Pu
$ suit then carried on, given life, energy al
= success.
lie, with another, (W. W. Wiltshire FRI
opened the Cleveland coal banks, thus b
h his enterprise opening up that mine Of wealt
Z and usefulness to many communities.
At the time of HIS death be was the pr
e prietor of the large mill at Valley CIt,
Iowa, the Mineral Creek Co,
Banks, and a coal bsnk at Cleveland, Ii
e and joint proprietor of a store at the lsttt
Il place as well as engaged in the bankir
s house of Devore d Sheppard, at Port Byro.
Ill, all Of these pursuits he gave, By b
PERSONAL efforts, vigor aud activity.
Dying, il the ffty-four.h year of hia &c
in the prime of his strength, We are U
doubtsdly called to mourn his loss By reast
of his Jealous and selfsacriGcing activity
L these pursuits.
Mr.. Sheppard, in business affairs, "
!. generous to a fault and every genera.
2 project found in him approval and suppoI
! The poor and meritorious had. from hi
aid and encouragement to the extent Of b
ability. And from the fact that miners 81
their wives walked under the July sun, fro
the coal banks to Por. Byron, to attend
funeral aud drop E flower upon his coli
the tongue of eulogy can we'll afford to
silent.
By the Masonic Lodge. Of which be W
a a member, he was buried, with appropria
6 honors, surrounded By his numerous frien'
and rels,ivea; having in his life done lItt
to be condensed, but much to be emulate