STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 1 



Dnriiiij tho winter of 1881-2. assisted 1)V liis l)rothor Nelson, he 

 built ti lo<2," house on his tirst chosen site, iind moved into it in Feb- 

 ruary before the chimney was built or a shutter made for the door. 

 Here he lived until his death — a period of over fifty years. 



But times of jieace. plenty, and independence followed the years 

 of ])rivation we have only faintly ])ictured. Men Ijecame more free 

 to follow chosen pursuits, and to build homes and fortunes in ways 

 as seemed to them best. Horticulture became the pastime of the 

 best years of his life. To ])lant and tend choice fruits of every kind 

 that would flourish in his soil and clime, gather the fruit and <:^ive 

 samples to his friends who would appreciate such favors, seemed to 

 be the most agreeable occu])ation he could engage in. 



He was among the first to grow the grape successfully Ijy vine- 

 yard culture in Northern Hlinois. His vineyard of Catawbas and 

 Isabellas was planted in 1849, and bore a fine crop in 1851, which 

 solil for fifteen cents a pound. He successfully fruited nearly all the 

 fine varieties of pear, ])lnm, jieach, cherry, and strawberry of his day. 

 Naturally enough he loved those of similar tastes and occupations 

 with himself. From these years until the infirmities of old age pre- 

 vented his attendance on its meetings, he was an enthusiastic laborer 

 in the cause and objects of the State Horticultural Society; served 

 the society one year as its president, and considered many of its mem- 

 bers among his dearest friends. 



His earthly career was closed by Avhat his physicians considered 

 softening of the brain, and, in the end, complicated with other 

 troubles. The effects of the malady were peculiarly afflicting to his 

 friends, as it gradually destroyed his powers of memory and speech. 

 On this account no satisfactory intercourse could be had with him by 

 his friends for over a year before his death. 



The funeral services were conducted by Rev. H. McYay, Avho 

 preached an earnest discourse at the house on the words: ''Let me 

 die the death of the righteous, and let my last end l)e like His." 

 Agreeable to an oft expressed wish in life, no allusion was nnide to 

 him in the services. 



The presence of a large number of friends at the funeral testi- 

 fied of the kindly regard in which he was held. He was buried at 

 Union Grove, l)y the side of his wife, who died in 1878. 



Prominent mention should be made of the active part taken by 

 Mr. Shcpard in the agitation Avhich resulted in the establishment of 

 ourState Industrial University, and I will close this ])rief and im- 

 perfect notice by asking that his valuable services in this behalf be 

 not soon forgotten. 



