Shepherd was born in Red Hill, County Cavan, Ireland on September 17, 1837.[2] Shepherd moved to the United States when he was 9 years old.[2] He was educated in the Boston Public Schools, graduating from the Mayhew grammar school.[2]
Business career
Shepherd moved to Lynn in 1857 where he learned the trade of shoe making.[2] Shepherd went into the business of shoe manufacturing with his brother Alan G. Shepherd.[2] Shepherd later worked for other manufactures as a foreman.[2]
Community involvement
Shepherd was a member of the Fire Department and a member of he represented Ward 3[5] on the Lynn Common Council.[2]
Massachusetts House of Representatives
Shepherd was elected to serve in the Massachusetts House of Representatives of 1895 and 1896, representing the 20th Essex district, which was made up out of Wards 6 and 7 of Lynn and the Town of Saugus.[2] In the House Shepherd served on the Committee on Public and Charitable Institutions.[8]
^Boston Daily Globe (May 1, 1907), "MANY OFFICIALS PRESENT.", The Boston Daily Globe, Boston, MA, p. 16
^Boston Daily Globe (November 16, 1901), "SHEPHERD AGAIN Will be a Candidate for a Fourth Term. Caucuses in Lynn the Largest Ever Held in That City. F. L. Jones Nominated by Quincy Republicans. Tirrell to be the Standard Bearer of Democrats. Temple Hall Indorses Mayor Dickinson of Cambridge. FOR MAYOR TEMPLE HALL CAUCUSES. Mayor Dickinson Will be Offered the Indorsement of That Organization- Other Delegations. CITIZENS' PARTY IN CHELSEA. Delegates Chosen to the Mayoralty Convention Which is to be Held Next Week. TIRRELL BY ACCLAMATION. Democrats of Quincy Name Him as Their Standard Bearer in the Mayoralty Contest. JONES IN QUINCY. Nominated on the First Ballot, He Getting Three Votes More Than the Number Necessary. OTHER MAYORALTY CANDIDATES.", The Boston Daily Globe, Boston, MA, p. 7
^Bridgman, Arthur Milnor (1896), A Souvenir of Massachusetts legislators, Volume V, Stoughton, Massachusetts: A. M. Bridgman, p. 149
^Bridgman, Arthur Milnor (1896), A Souvenir of Massachusetts legislators, Volume V, Stoughton, Massachusetts: A. M. Bridgman, p. 75