Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-17
Ether Shcpley.

Ether Shepley, LII. D.. ex-Chief Justice OF
Maine, died at his residence on State ST., yes
terday morning after an illness Of but few days,
at the great age Of 81 years, months and IL dayL
This eminent urist was born Nov. 2, 1889, at Gro
ton, Mass, the birthplace of many distingui shed
men, including Amos and Abbott Lawrence, the
well remembered merchants aud philanthropist,
of Boston.
The Shepleys were settled at Groton as early a
100. Judge Shepley's father, John Shepley, wa
An Orderly Sergeant and clerk Of a company il
the Revo Luton. Ether was the second of three
sons. The Oldest was the late John Shepley o
Saco, who was for many years reporter of decisions
of the Supreme Court of Maine The Christian
name Ether was adopted from city Of the trib'
Of Judah Mr. Shepley received his elementary
education at Groton Academy. From thence he
proceeded to Dartmouth College, from which b,
took his degree in 1871. Among his classmate
were Prof. Nathaniel H. Carter, Bezaleel Cush
man and Nathaniel Wright, who were afterward
all instructors in Portland. Amos Kendall, Post
master General In 1885, was also of this class.
On leaving college Mr.. Shepley entered the Of
fec of Dudley Hubbard of South Berwick, wher'
successfully with Z. B. Adams of Lunenburg, ant
Solomon Stong Of Westminster. On being ad
mitted to the bar in 1884, Mr.. Shepley came Il
Saco and entered into law partnership with VIM
z. Preble, then U. S. District Attorney for Name
This partnership continued one year by Limitation
The principal lawyers of York county were ther
Prentice Meen of Biddeford, Nicholas Emery o.
Parsonfeld, Cyrus King OF Saco and John Holmes
of Alfred, all eminent IN their profession. Mr.
Shepley afterwards wrote that latter few con
tests with the shrewdness of one, the wit and in
genuity of another, the vehement and flashing ell
oquence Of third, and the placid arguments and
special pleading OF fourth, was allowed to stand
rectus IN euTia.
In 1916 Mr.. Shepley married Miss Anna Foster
with whom he had become acquainted while i'll
College.
The separation of Maine from Massachusetts,
now became the exciting public topic, and Mr.
Shepleys first efforts outside of his profession
were IN advocating that measure, and he was
elected to the Massachusetts Legislature in 1919
on that issue, and was the same year elected a
delegate to the convention to form constitution
for the new State. On looking over the roll OF
the 3Oi delegates, who met in September 1919 in
the old meeting house of the First Parish, in
Portland, | think Judge Shepley was the last sur
vivor of that body.
In 1921 Mr.. ohepley was ap pointed U. S. Attor-
ney for the Maine District, successor to VIM. Z.
Preble, who was appointed Judge OF the Supreme
Court This office he held until 1888, when he
was elected U. ). Senator to succeed John Holmes.
While in Congress, he was warm supporter of
the administration of President jackson. in 1886,
Judge Paris resigned his seat on the Supreme
bench, and Senator Shepley was appointed by
Governor Dunlap to the vacant Judgeship. In
1913 Judge Shepley was made Chief Justice by
Gov. Dana, TO succeed Judge Whitman. lie con-
tinued in this office until 1855, when his constitu
tional term expired.
During the year 1888, Judge Shepley was i'm
portuned by his political friends to accept nom
nation as candidate for Governor, and the same
year he had informal offer of the office of Attor
ney General Of the United States, both Of which
be declined. In 1856 he was appointed sole com
missioner to revise the public laws of the State,
and the Revised Statutes OF 1857 with full in
dex, is monument to his industry and legal
knowledge. This was his last official labor foi
the State. He was thtty-thr years a trustee
of Bowdoin College, having been first chosen ia
1929. After unsuied official life of thirty-six
years, he retired to private life with the respect
of all who knew him.-Portidad Press 18th.