The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-02-28
FOR 45 YEARS

In a magazine entitled the India Rubber World'' is an interesting sketch of Frederick M. Shepard, a Norfolk na- tive, relating his connection with the India rubber business with which he has been identified during the past 45 years. In length of time devoted ac- lively to the India rubber trade in this country, no person living has exceeded him.
 The sketch says-Mr. Shepard sue ceeded MT. Williamson at the begin ming of the year 1855 as president of the Union India Rubber Co. in New York. He had just come from his na- tive town of Norfolk in Litchfield county, Conn.,. which in itself was a recommendation for a young man on the threshold of his business career. The rough and barren Litchfield hills, in the northwestern corner of Connec- ticut, were just the region to produce a sturdy type of manhood, thrifty and Independent and lovers of country Be yond the westernmost hill in Norfolk lies the beautiful Housatonic Valley a veritable garden spot. But among the hills or in the valleys, the farmers of Litchfeld county were prosperous, while the village merchant often be- came wealthy.
 The building of the Housatonic rail- road brought this rugged Connecticut county into closer touch with the out side world, and ambitious fathers more than ever sought places in business for their sons in New York city. It was not a surprising thing, therefore, that y6 IUh Y1af "a upon merchantile career, should find himself in that city in a responsible position after a short period of training in general store in his native town.
 MT. Shepard is connected with sev- eral important corporations outside of the rubber trade. He has been a direc- tor for many years in the Mutual Life Insurance Go. of Newark, N. J. The desirability of "the Oranges" in New Jersey, for suburban residences, early
 attracted the notice of MT. Shepard
 who became one of the pioneers in planting the extensive colony of New Workers who now make their homes in
 East Orange.
 Whatever has tended to the improve 1 ment of that town has enlisted the in- | terest, leading to become active in the ] management of the East Orange Water Co. and other local enterprises
 MT. Shepard and his family spend most of the year in East Orange, with | the exception of few weeks at theii 1 summer home at Delaware Water Gar l and an occasional short winter sojourr 1 in town.
 While MT. Shepard for some time past has expressed wish to lay dowr | gradually the cares of business, it is apparent to his friends that the weight | of years has made itself felt. Long
 practice in the methodical directing ot
 affairs without giving rein to anything
 like worry, has enabled him to rely
 upon others for many of the details o1
 work, which one of another tempera-
 ment would feel called upon to dispos, | of in person. He does not seem to fee
 the need of vacations as ordinarily un.
 derstood, but proceeds from one offic' 1 of board meeting to another as if ht felt in the change sufficient recreation l to keep the mind always buoyant. l Mr. Shepard's home life is as unos tentatious as might be expected iron l his plain, direct methods of business l It may be said truly that in no wa, l does he court public notice