



In ]V[|iT^oriaii^. 



NATHANIEL SHEPHERD. 



MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. 

 Died December 3, 1898, aged 75 years. 

 Nathaniel Shepherd was born at Thedford, Vt., September 23, 1823. 

 He never knew a mother's care, she dying- when he was a mere child. 

 He went out to work when twelve years old, working seven j'ears in 

 the first place, after which he learned the painter's trade, which he 

 followed many years. In 1856 he came to Wisconsin, locating in 

 Berlin. One year after he located in Ripon, Wis., where he made 

 his home for over twenty years, and brought up a family of four 

 children, who with his wife survive him. 



During the civil war he followed building, doing more for his 

 city in that line than probably any other ever did. 



In 1877 he moved to Minneapolis* 

 thinking it a better place for his 

 children to start in life, and made that 

 city his home most of the time till his 

 death, which occurred while visiting 

 at his daughter's (Rev. Mrs. Spicer), 

 at Warren, Minn., Dec. 3, 1898. He has 

 been a consistent church member 

 for over one-half century, always 

 doing his official duty in the church, 

 and helping far beyond his strength 

 and means. No man can say he ever 

 wronged him in any way. 



He was a great lover of the beautiful 

 in nature, and an enthusiastic horti- 

 culturist. For many years he was 

 proprietor of the North Star Gardens, 

 and in the earl}' days of the horticul- 

 tural society was an ever present and 

 active menber. He, with Mr. Wood- 

 NATHANiEL SHEPHERD. ruff, of Ripon, Wis. ,wa8 the introducer 



of the Ancient Briton blackberry, and also the originator of the 

 method of growing by covering, it being at his suggestion that 

 they tried it and found it effectual in securing large crops without 

 loss of vitality from hard winters. Whether building, in horticul- 

 ture or at his trade, he always studied to find the best way, and that 

 being decided, carried it out strictly in those lines, even though he 

 might not receive as much pecuniary benefit. 



His has been a busy life, never taking time for the rest he so 

 fairly earned, but ever working on for the good of his family and 

 church. For the last few years his health had been gradually 

 failing until the end. He was ready to go, only regretting leaving 

 those dear to him for the few years intervening, and then he 

 hoped and believed he should meet them all in immortality. His 

 body was laid away in its final home in Lakewood Cemetery, on 

 December 6, 1898. 



