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THOMAS C. SHEPHERD - The name of this gentleman will always be associated with the history of Sangamon County, as he occupied an important place among its pioneers and for several years was a prominent figure in its public life. He was one of the early settlers of Woodside Township of which he has been one of the principal farmers and stock-raisers for more than half a century and he is to-day one of the largest landowners here.

For several generations the name Thomas has been a favorite one in the Shepherd family. The great-grandfather of our subject was the first that is known to have borne the name. He emigrated to this country from Wales in Colonial times and took up a large tract of land in Virginia, which was known as a "Tomahawk Claim," as in those days there were no Government surveys and the boundaries of the land were defined by streams of water, ridges of rock, remarkable trees, etc. Thomas Shepherd, the first, laid out the town of Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, W. Va., where out subject was born June 28, 1806. His father, also named Thomas, was likewise a native of Jefferson County. He married Mary Byers, who was born in that county. He was a miller by occupation, and his useful career was cut short at the age of fifty-eight years by his death of cholera in 1832. His widow subsequently came to Sangamon County with our subject and died here in 1870 at the extreme age of ninety-one years. They had eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom Thomas C. is the eldest.

Mr. Shepherd remained a resident of his native State until he was nearly thirty years old, and in the meantime was there married to Miss Ellen Miller, July 3, 1834. She was born in Shepherdstown in July, 1813. After their marriage they took up their residence at Blackford's Ferry, Md., where their first child was born. After the death of his father Mr. Shepherd assumed the responsibility of caring for the family and deeming that he could better his and their condition by a removal to what was then regarded as the "Far West," he came hither in the fall of 1836. He was accompanied by his wife and child, his mother, sister and two brothers, and made the entire journey from Maryland over a rough and wild country in wagons, in six weeks time, arriving here in November 17, 1836. The family settled on land which our subject had previously purchased on section 33, Woodside Township, where he has ever since made his home. He has made farming and stock-raising his life work and has been more than ordinarily prosperous. He owns about eight hundred acres of land at the present time, and has his farm under fine cultivation and amply supplied with good buildings, and everything necessary to carry on agriculture to the best advantage. Here he is living in peace and contentment in the enjoyment of a handsome competence, and surrounded with all that goes to make life pleasant. He is held in honor and affection by the entire community, not only as a fine representative of the pioneers who did so much for the development of this county, but for his worth as a man and a citizen.

In the death of his beloved wife and companion, March 25, 1890, our subject sustained a severe loss. For more than half a century they had walked life's road together, had shared its joys and comforted each other in its sorrows. She was to him all that a true wife could be; was devoted to the interests of her family and was of great help to him in building up their home. Their marriage had been blessed to them by the birth of five children, named as follows: Thomas B., John H., William B., Charles M. and Mary E. The latter was the wife of Lawson Pyle, and died in Woodside Township in April, 1889.

As before intimated Mr. Shepherd has been very prominent in public life in this county. In 1848 he was honored by his fellow-citizens by election to the office of County Commissioner which position he retained four years, he being the last of the County Commissioners under the old Constitution. The Commissioners answered the same purpose as the Board of Supervisors of the present day, but in addition to transacting the same business, they did the work of the County Judge. Mr. Shepherd had the honor of being the first Supervisor who represented Woodside Township on the County Board of Supervisors, and he filled that office for two terms. For fourteen years he was Treasurer of the school fund of his township and it is recorded to his credit that he turned over to his successor an increased amount of money, never having lost a debt. In politics he has always given unswerving allegiance to the Republican party. In religion he is a Methodist, has been a member of the church for many years, and was at one time Steward. His wife was also a devoted member of that church and was an active worker in the fold.