Shepherd, Major William Henry

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Portrait of Major W H Shepherd, manufacturer, by John Sowden. Born at Moorsley Durham in 1834. He died in 1913 aged 79.

Note in Sowden's notebook:
Major W. H. Shepherd was familiarly known as Mayor Shepherd was born in 1834 at Moorsley, Durham. He went to school at Houghton-le-Springs, but before he was 16 years of age was apprenticed to Messrs. Parkinson & Mitchell of Fulneck, spinners & manufacturer. Mr Parkinson retired in 1856 & Mr Shepherd joined Mr Mitchell as a partner. In the early ? he came to reside in Bradford, and when his partnership was dissolved he commenced business in his own account, the firm being known as W. H. Shepherd & Co. Mr Shepherd was well known on 'change' [?]. For 4 years he was Vice President of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce and in 1881 was President. Outside business ? he was very popular. He was the first President of the Bradford Thespians Society. In 1860 when in his 26th year, Mr Shepherd became a Lieutenant of the 3rd West Riding Rifle Volunteers, being promoted in 1865 to the rank of Captain. In 1874 he was appointed Mayor. He retired in 1882 being allowed, in ? of his services to retain the rank of Mayor & to wear the uniform. He took an ? in connection with the Yorkshire Rifle Association, being hon. treasurer and chairman of the Council for many years. He won many prizes for shooting. He was ? interested in outdoor sports, particularly cricket. In 1893 he was elected a vice-president of the Yorkshire County Club and retained the office at the time of his death. He was prominently for many years associated with the Bradford Cricket Club. Mayor Shepherd also was identified with the Conservative Party and in 1869 elected as the Little Horton Ward representative on the Bradford Town Council & mad much to do with muncipalisation of the Bradford Gas Works in 1870. He was made an Alderman two years after being elected to the Council. He was a Vice-President of the Bradford Technical College. He was also a director of Messrs Joseph Spink and Sons and of Messr Ramsden, Camm & Co. wire manufacturers, Brighouse. He died in 1913 at the age of 79.

Year

1890

Creator

John Sowden

Image filename

sowden-19