Shephard, John (1842-1914)
Early years
John was born on 28 June 1842 at Madeley, Shropshire to parents John Shephard and Frances Ball. His brother, Joseph, was also a PM Minister.
John was apprenticed to the drapery business at Hill Top, Staffordshire. He also spent some time working as a coal miner.
John was converted aged 17 and with two years entered the ministry.
Ministry
John superintended the erection of 19 large places of worship, two class rooms, two minister’s houses and secured land for five other Connexional places.
His obituary records that John was possessed of great determination and gentleness, he was a man of most courteous manners. He was a preacher and lecturer of great power, he combined thought, imagination and eloquence with a magnetic personality. Vast congregations were held and swayed under his ministry. At one church he conducted Anniversary Service for over fifty consecutive years.
In the Sheffield District, John was for many years District Furnishing Committee Secretary and Treasurer of the district African Missionary Fund, also representing the District on the General Missionary Committee and Church Extension Fund Committee.
Family
John married Sarah Ann Jones(abt1839-1897) in the summer of 1866 at Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Census returns identify six children.
- Sarah Ann (b1868) – a confectioner/baker (1901); married Andrew Stewart Brown; widowed matron at Girls Home (1911)
- Edward Jones (b1870)
- John Joseph (1871-1967) – a solicitor’s clerk (1911)
- Arthur (1874-1941) – a solicitor
- William Wood(1876-1948) – a solicitor
- Annie Elizabeth (b1879)
John married Emmie Keziah Haywood (1871-1961) in the summer of 1898 at Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Census returns identify two children.
- Bernard Montague (1901-1956) – a PM minister
- Emmie Dorothy (1904-1979) – married Maurice O Willmore
John died on 4 September 1914 at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Circuits
- 1862 Shrewsbury
- 1863 Ludlow
- 1865 Tunstall
- 1866 Darlaston
- 1868 W Bromwich
- 1871 Church Stretton
- 1872 Minsterley
- 1876 Hanley
- 1880 Bradley Green
- 1883 Ludlow
- 1884 Ripley
- 1888 Sheffield I
- 1892 Sheffield VII
- 1895 Staveley
- 1898 Mexborough
- 1902 Clay Cross
- 1905 Chesterfield (S)
References
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1898/323
PM Minutes 1915/40
W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990
Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers
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