From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, pages 433-434.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


J. B. SHEPPARD

J. B. Sheppard, proprietor of the Wheeling saddle, harness and collar 
factory, is one of the most enterprising citizens of the city.  He 
was born in Cumberland county, N. J., in 1820, a son of Robert 
Sheppard, a native of the same county.  Robert Sheppard married Maria 
Stratton, of another old Jersey family. The Sheppards and Strattons 
were prominent New Jersey families, and Ferman Sheppard, one of the 
ancestors, was an officer of the Jersey line in the war of the 
revolution.  The family removed to Philadelphia in 1828, and in that 
city, Robert Sheppard engaged in the wood business. There his son, J. 
B. Sheppard was reared, and educated.  He served an apprenticeship of 
five years in that city, in the trade of harness making, and 
subsequently, in 1858, came to Wheeling and established a harness, 
saddle and collar store of his own.  From that beginning he has 
developed his present extensive manufactury and wholesale and retail 
business in harness, saddles and collars, which is one of the leading 
enterprises of the city.  He has remained in trade continually, and 
now has one of the oldest business establishments in Wheeling.  Mr. 
Sheppard has always taken an interest in public affairs, and has been 
honored with various trusts by his fellow citizens.  Just after the 
close of the war he served two terms as one of the board of 
commissioners of Ohio county.  He served upon the city council for a 
number of years, representing the Seventh ward, and was instrumental 
in securing many of the improvements in that before neglected ward.  
Since 1842, he has been an Odd Fellow, and he is now a member of 
Virginius lodge, No. 2.  Mr. Sheppard was married in 1852, to Irene 
Boyden, of Wheeling, who died ten months later.  In 1856, he was 
married to Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua Lukens, of Wheeling, by whom 
he has four children: J. Bickell, Laura (wife of Frank Zook), Emily 
and Robert. 


(Linda Fluharty)