My Genealogy Hound

LEV SHEPHERD is not only a substantial and progressive business man of Reading Center, but is also the popular and efficient Postmaster of the place. He is an intelligent citizen, one who is thoroughly posted on all public affairs, and ranks high among the well-to-do merchants of the place.

The father of our subject was the late Roswell Shepherd, formerly one of the old and influential citizens of Reading Center, where he was engaged as a general merchant for a period of ten years. His prosperity was due to the attention which he paid to the minor details of his business, and in this manner he accumulated a fair share of this world’s goods. He died here in 1888, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years.

The maiden-name of our subject’s mother was Maria Leak. She survived her husband two years, being at the time of her demise seventy-eight years old. She became the mother of one son and three daughters, our subject being the second-born of the family. He is a native of Schuyler County, and was born January 27, 1838, at Altay. There he passed the first sixteen years of his life, during which time he was well educated in the common schools, being permitted to attend the house of learning regularly. About that time his father removed to Reading Center, and Lev being then of an age to be of assistance to him, he was employed in the store as a clerk. After four years spent thus, he formed a partnership with Isaac Conklin, and for four years they carried on a thriving and profitable trade as general merchants. Mr. Shepherd then purchased the interest of his partner, and since that time has successfully operated the business alone.

To show the efficiency of our subject as Postmaster, we have only to state that he has been the incumbent of the office for a period of eighteen years. He has also been Town Clerk for several terms, and has discharged the duties of County Treasurer for two terms in a very satisfactory manner. In political affairs he has always taken a very active part and is an influential worker in the ranks of the Republican party. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been one of the Trustees.

The marriage of Lev Shepherd and Miss Almeda Ross was celebrated at Reading in June, 1861. Mrs. Shepherd is a native of this place and the daughter of the late Samuel Ross, an old and honored resident of Reading Center. To Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd there have been born two children: Louise, the wife of James W. Davis; and Harry, who chose for his wife Miss Alice Hoffeld. Mr. Shepherd is modest and unassuming in manner and never fails to make friends of all with whom he comes in contact.