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Shepard, George Bohan

lawyer, inventor, was born Sept. 23, 1847, in Ogdensburg, N. Y. He received his rudimentary education in the public schools of that city, and the higher branches at private institutions there. In 1862 he began the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1869; and since that time he has never discontinued practice, though his other undertakings have interfered with active litigation. From 1873 he served two terms as clerk of surrogate's court of St. Lawrence county, and on Dec. 17, 1879, was appointed United States deputy collector of internal revenue for St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, serving as such until the office was filled by the incoming of the democratic administration. He introduced the electric telephone in his native county, building several local exchanges and the connecting county lines. He inherits a natural taste for mechanics, and is a direct lineal descendant from Hezekiah Huntington of Windham, Conn., who manufactured the first guns made in America, and who was appointed by Gen. Washington repairer of arms for the continental army.

He also numbers among his ancestors Gov. Bradford of Plymouth colony. Mr.

Shepard has made a number of useful inventions, including early improvements in the typewriter and copygraph; and he has recently perfected a successful rotary engine. He is at present engaged upon an improved machine to furnish stereotype plates for printing, which promises a revolution in that art; and still resides in the place of his nativity.