James Isaac Shepard

James Isaac Shepard was born April 5, 1865 in Richmond to Justin and Eliza Maria Allred Shepard. James is a Pioneer of Richmond. James served as the 8th Mayor of Richmond.

History

Born in his era, James learned the life of a Pioneer. He helped his father with farming, blacksmithing, hunting, lumber work, and watching the sheep at just the age of 5. When he could, he would attend school in Richmond.

When James was 17, he began selling educational books and encyclopedias door-to-door to save enough money to attend Brigham Young College. A few years later, he started working for the Richmond Mercantile to get the money.

Family

"Before [James] and [Hortense] were engaged to be married, they talked a great deal about plural marriage. He told her that the church had approached him about entering it. He asked her if she would consider marrying him if he entered into plural marriage? She asked for time to think about it and pray about it. They decided they would both pray and fast and that she would give him her answer in a week. He told her that if he should obey the Celestial law the other one would be Anna Olsen.

"...In his own words James I. Shepard told me Just before he died, "Your mother never went back on her word. Never in our married life did she ever tell me that plural marriage was not right." 

James married Hortense Vilate Griffin on Feb 24, 1886 in the Logan, Utah Temple. The following year, James entered the practice of polygamy by marrying Anna Maria Olsen on June 1 in Logan, Utah. James fathered 22 children, with 16 living to adulthood. Some in particular are from the following wives:

•  Hortense Vilate Griffin

  • Justin W. Shephard, medic during World War I.

• Anna Maria Olsen

  • John V. Shepard, veteran of World War II.

  • Dean W. Shepard, veteran of World War II.

  • Guy R. Shepard, veteran of World War II.

  • Calvin O. Shepard, veteran of World War II.

Mayoral Term (1898 - 1900)

James Isaac Shepard served a single term as the 8th Mayor of Richmond from 1898-1900. He was the first Pioneer Mayor born in Richmond and the first Mayor to receive higher education, specifically from Brigham Young College. James was the last Mayor of Richmond to practice polygamy.

In a special City Council meeting held February 19, 1898, the salaries of each city officer were discussed. It was the first time the pay was recorded for the officers. They are recorded as: Mayor, $40; Councilmen, $25; Marshall, $123; Recorder, $70; Treasurer, $30; Water Master, $60; Sexton, $30; Pound Keeper, $20; Supervisor of Streets, $30.

In a special City Council meeting held August 13, 1898,

"The mayor reported that he had recieved a letter from the recorder of Grantsville, asking Richmond City to help in an amount not exceeding $15 to defray the expense of taking a case to the Supreme Court, and by so doing determine how far from platted portion of town, city taxes could be collected. The recorder was authorized to inform then that Richmond City would not help."

James Shepard was succeeded by August C. S. Schow.

Epilogue