BIO: Charles D. Shepard, Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, PA & NY Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB & JO Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ________________________________________________ Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, pages 395-396. ________________________________________________ Shepard, Charles D., was born on November 2, 1832, in the village of Little Falls, Herkimer County, N.Y. His parents were charter members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Little Falls. When nine years old he went to the altar as a seeker of salvation, during a revival service. The altar was crowded, and he was unnoticed. Again, at eighteen, he sought Christ and found him, and at once united with the Church of which his parents were members. He had learned the carpenter and millwright trade, but now felt deeply impressed that it was his duty to preach. He had attended the public school, and the year following his conversion entered the academy at Little Falls. Lack of means compelled him to leave school and work at his trade. Later, however, he spent some time in study at Falley Seminary, in Fulton County, N.Y. While a student in the seminary in 1855 he was licensed to exhort by Rev. Isaac L. Hunt, of the Black River Conference. On returning home he was given local preacher's license by the Quarterly Conference of Little Falls Church. In the spring of 1856 he went to Chicago and engaged in work at his trade, and united with the Park Street Methodist Episcopal Church. In a short time he was recommended to the presiding elder to fill a vacancy on the Naperville Circuit, Naperville, Ill. He accepted the position, at a sacrifice to his income. In the fall of 1856 he was excused from his work on the circuit in order tat he might attend Garrett Biblical Institute. In 1858 he returned to Little Falls. After having been a local preacher several years he was recommended to the Black River Conference for admission and deacon's orders. He received the deacon's orders on April 27, 1862, at Oswego, N.Y. Preferring to join the Oneida Conference, he presented his recommendation for admission there, but the bishop ruled that it could not be received. Subsequently on presenting it to the Black River Conference, the Conference refused to receive him on the ground that he had preferred Oneida. He resumed work at his trade and continued several years. In 1866 he was sent as supply to the Lowell charge, on the Oneida District. At the end of the year he was recommended to the Conference for admission, and received (1867). On September 21, 1858, he married Miss Adaline C. Hunt, of Little Falls, N.Y. His second marriage was to Miss Mary G. Brown, of New Berlin, N.Y., in April, 1873, who passed away at Lisle, on August 30, 1902. Six children have been born to his home, five of whom are living. His oldest son is a graduate of Syracuse University, and is now a member of Northern New York Conference. His pastoral record is as follows: 1867; Brookfield; 1868, Preston; 1869, New Berlin; 1870-71, Harpursville; 1872-73, Windsor; 1874-75, North Fenton; 1876-77, Whitney's Point; 1878-79, Vestal; 1880-82, Maine; 1883-84, North Barton; 1885-87, Flemingville; 1888-91, Springville; 1892, Afton; 1893-95, Sidney Center; 1896-98, Davenport Center; 1899-1900, Castle Creek; 1901-03, Lisle.