James Sheppard

ID # 6468, (1844-1916)
FatherRichard Sheppard (1822-1886)
MotherSarah Ann Hamill (1821-1902)
BirthJames Sheppard was born in 1844 at Ireland. 
MarriageHe married Mary Emily Davies on 1 July 1867 at Toronto, York Co..
MS248 reel 15 Volume 67, pages 51 & 52
Toronto Marriage Register

Extracted from a list of marriages dated to the end of 1867 as solemnized by H. J. Grasett BD, Dean of Toronto and Rector of St. James.

James Sheppard, 23, born Ireland, residing Queenston. Parents Richard and Sarah Sheppard.
Mary Emily Davies, 21, born and residing Niagara. Parents George and Mary Davies.
Witnesses George Davies and James Hartley, both of Niagara.
On 1 July, 1867.
 
DeathHe died on 10 October 1916 at Crowland Township, Welland Co.. 
BurialHe was buried on 13 October 1916 at Sec. K, Fairview Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Ontario. 
NoteDeath reg. 035166-16 Crowland Twp., Welland Co.
James Sheppard died Oct. 10, 1916. Age 72. Born Queenston, died Crowland. Burial Queenston. Occupation Superintendent Good Roads. Married. Parents Richard Sheppard and Sarah Hamill. Physician Dr. McBride. Informant G. W. Morse (undertaker). Cause of death railway accident.

The above shows James' place of birth as Queenston. Census information fairly regularly shows his place of birth as Ireland. The 1911 census shows his immigration into Canada as 1846. His burial is shown as being at Queenston. This is not correct. He and Mary are buried in Fairview Cemetery at Niagara Falls, Ontario. The City of Niagara Falls Cemeteries website shows his date of burial as October 13, 1916.

The inscription of the gravestone for James Sheppard shows his name as:
Maj. James Sheppard. His son Harold was certainly a major during the First World War and is buried in the same plot. It may well be that James served in the local militia. However this may be, he is certainly described as a major in the newspaper account of his death that appeared in the Buffalo Evening News, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 1916, edition. This tells that he was hit by a train while driving across a railroad crossing. The story says nothing of his military career. The newspaper image is courtesy Old Fulton New York Postcards.

See Farming, Vol. XIV, September 1896, No. 1, page 102.

Here, and at this time, James is described as Reeve of Niagara Township. He is also said to be a captain 2nd Dragoons Cavalry of Welland. He is also a fruit grower and this is the main point of the article, which shows a portrait of him. 
Last Edited27 Sep 2018