New Britain herald., 1926-02-15
James Shepard, Historian And
 Botanist, Dies h 88th Year
Beloved Citizen, Known for His Culture of Flow CTS. Dies at Private Hos pital.

r James Shepard. retired patent at torncy, known 10 tho present gcner- aion more faniliarly by his writ ,ngs in the Now Britain Herald and by books ho has published, died ut tho Grove Hill hospital this morn ing at 9 o'clock, Death was due 10 old age and complication of dis eases, He had been in failing health since he fell and fractured hip, al- most to years ago to the day, Mir. Shepard was born in South ington, May IS, 1888. On September 25, 1853, rc was married to Celia Curtis and tho couple have resided at the family residence at 1S9 Lake street ever since. They had one daughter, Celia Antotnotte, born Oc- tober g, 1860, who died at Short Beach, October 22, 1907.
 MT. Shepard was graduate Of the Lewis academy in Southington and vas awarded the degree of A. NJ. by Trinity college. He entered the patent business in Bristol in 1S66, and opened a branch office in New Britain at the same time.
 The organ in St. Marks new Epis- copal church was presented by MT. i and Mrs Shepard in memory of their | daughter. after her death.
 Although Q self educated man, Mir. Shepard was known as q botanist and gcoloeist of wide knowledge. In l ,, in I,, I3rt,N,.prnI | varieties Of plants and wild flowers in this vicinity hitherto unknown ! here. GIc also was a genelogist and q patent lawyer whose advice and aid was sought many times,
 Chief among MT. Shepard's achievements were his writings. The New Britain institute has among collection of books, presented by him, two of which he was the author Patents and Patentees" and His tory of st. Marks Church." He also was poet and has written and pub lished some beautiful poetry Con necticut Soldiers in the Pequot War" and a History of Ncw Britain" were written by him.
 Mir. Shepard was a frequent con- tributor to the columns of the Her ald and his writings were read with interest by thousands of people. Among some of the outstanding ar ticjes written hy him and published in The Herald were the following:
 Early History of Lake Street," "Mcn's Hats" "L. P. Lee, Writ cr;" "An Echo From the New Britain of Colonial Days" "Pagon- chaumischaug;;" New Britain's Early Growth" "Bihle Not Always Read in Church." "Tcrritorial Tax ation for Church Purposes" For mcr Industry on Our City Streams" New Britain's War Record Prior to 1S50;" Origin Of Names in This Vicinity" Probate Court-Historic Wealth." Some Old Wills in This Vicinity (series Of six articles) ; Episode ot Thode Smith;" Early Witchcraft in This Vicinity" "Thc Seventh Day Baptists of Burlington, Conn.," "The Twisted Stalk" Grape Fruit Once an Unknown Fruit" "A Natural Thermometor;" :" Shuttle Meadows Namc;" New Britain Garys;' 'Death Of John J. Legro:" 'The Men Oak at Elm wood;" Names as Used for Either Sex" City Hall Site and Its His tory" "Anti-Abolishmcnt of 1SS7;" "Black Rock Ono of Many Bould- ers;" "A Pair Of Political Twins, Porkvine and Whigville;" "The Success of the Hardware City" Major North and Major Stanlcy;" "A Snake Catcher and Two of His Stories"
 On January 14, 1924, Mir. Shcp- ard, whose sight had been failing for years, fell and sustained a fraC- tured hip He was taken 10 the New Britain general hospital, where, despite his advanced age, he made a speedy recovery, He never fully recovered from the shock.
 Once moro he returned 10 the New Britain General hospital for an on- eration. On November 1 he became ill and two weeks ago was removed f to the Grove Hill hospital where he remained until his death.
 He was a man who commanded the respect and admiration of all who knew him. not only for his yer , satility and his vast store ot practi- , cal knowledge on many subjects but also for his kidnlinoss of char acter. Mrs. Shepard is the only Survivor.
 . Funeral services will be held al . the Lake street home on Wednesday afternoon at o'clock. Rev. Sam uel Sutcliffe and Rev, Theodore Ainsworth Greene will ofticiate. Bur Hal will be in FairvieW cemetery.