Edward M. Shepard
Encyclopedia
Edward Morse Shepard was an American lawyer and politician from New York
.
(1821-1856) and Lucy (Morse) Shepard (1821-1890). After the early death of his father, Abram S. Hewitt became his guardian, and the family removed to Brooklyn
. There Shepard attended Public School Nr. 13. Afterwards he attended Oberlin College
Preparatory School for one year (1860-61), and graduated from City College of New York
in 1869. He then studied law with John Edward Parsons
, was admitted to the bar in 1875, and formed a partnership with Albert Stickney. In 1890, he became a partner in the firm of Parsons, Shepard and Ogden.
From 1883 to 1885, he was Chairman of the Brooklyn Civil Service Board. In 1884, he was appointed a State Forestry Commissioner. He became a Democratic leader in Brooklyn, but disagreeing with the corrupt local boss Hugh McLaughlin
, Shepard organized in 1894 a Democratic Reform faction which nominated Everett P. Wheeler for Governor. In the election, Democrat David B. Hill
was defeated by Republican Levi P. Morton
.
Shepard was a delegate to the National Convention
of the "Gold Democrats" in Indianapolis
which nominated the Palmer
/Buckner
ticket for the United States presidential election, 1896
. In 1897, Shepard supported Seth Low
who ran on the Citizens Union
ticket for Mayor of New York City
at the first election under the Consolidation Charter, and said that Tammany Hall
was the "most burning and disgraceful blot upon the municipal history of this country."
In 1900
, Shepard supported William Jennings Bryan
for President. The next year, Tammany boss Richard Croker
had Shepard nominated as the regular Democratic candidate for Mayor of New York City
, but he was defeated by Seth Low
who had been nominated by a fusion of Anti-Tammany Democrats, Republicans and the Citizens Union
.
Mark Twain
, an avid supporter of Seth Low, said of Edward M. Shepard: "A Tammany banana is a strange thing. One end of it, or one part, here or there, is perfectly white. The rest of it is rotten. Now, I have the greatest respect for Mr. Shepard personally, but nine-tenths of the rest of the bananas on that ticket are rotten. Mr. Shepard is the white part of the banana. The best we can do is throw the whole banana from us, for it is unfit. It will make us sick. "
In 1909, he started a movement to unite the infighting factions of the Democratic Party in New York, which led in 1910 to the election of John Alden Dix
(the first Democratic Governor of New York
since Roswell P. Flower
had left office in 1894) and majorities in both Houses of the New York State Legislature (for the first time since 1893). Shepard had been considered the frontrunner for the gubernatorial nomination, but Tanmmany boss Charles Francis Murphy
preferred Dix. Early next year, the Democrats having a majority in the State Legislature, is was generally believed that Shepard would be elected U.S. Senator from New York to succeed Republican Chauncey M. Depew. But boss Murphy put up William F. Sheehan
for the nomination, and the longest deadlock in the history of the State of New York ensued. In the United States Senate election in New York, 1911
, Shepard was the candidate most favored by the "Insurgent" Democrats, led by State Senator Franklin D. Roosevelt
. He received 15 votes (out of 200) on the 32nd ballot, but retired from the race after the 34th ballot on February 25, 1911, trying to move Sheehan to do the same for the sake of party unity. But Sheehan remained in the field, and after 74 days of deadlock, James A. O'Gorman was elected as a compromise candidate on April 1.
On June 16, Shepard caught a cold, and died six weeks later of pneumonia
at his summer residence "Erlowest" (now The Inn at Erlowest), on Lake George
's "Millionaire's Row." Shepard never married.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Life
Edward M. Shepard was the son of Lorenzo B. ShepardLorenzo B. Shepard
Lorenzo Brigham Shepard was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Life:Lorenzo B. Shepard was the son of David Brewster Shepard , a New York City lawyer....
(1821-1856) and Lucy (Morse) Shepard (1821-1890). After the early death of his father, Abram S. Hewitt became his guardian, and the family removed to Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
. There Shepard attended Public School Nr. 13. Afterwards he attended Oberlin College
Oberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
Preparatory School for one year (1860-61), and graduated from City College of New York
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
in 1869. He then studied law with John Edward Parsons
John Edward Parsons
John Edward Parsons was a prominent lawyer in New York City and a president of the New York City Bar Association. Parsons was born in New York City in 1829 to Edward Lamb and Matilda Parsons. His father was English and his mother was descended from a prominent Wallingford, Connecticut family...
, was admitted to the bar in 1875, and formed a partnership with Albert Stickney. In 1890, he became a partner in the firm of Parsons, Shepard and Ogden.
From 1883 to 1885, he was Chairman of the Brooklyn Civil Service Board. In 1884, he was appointed a State Forestry Commissioner. He became a Democratic leader in Brooklyn, but disagreeing with the corrupt local boss Hugh McLaughlin
Hugh McLaughlin (politician)
Hugh McLaughlin was an American politician and for many years the "boss" of the Democratic Party in Brooklyn.-Life:Hugh McLaughlin was born in Brooklyn as son of Irish immigrants. He learned the trade of a rope maker. In 1855 he became master mechanic in the Brooklyn Navy Yard...
, Shepard organized in 1894 a Democratic Reform faction which nominated Everett P. Wheeler for Governor. In the election, Democrat David B. Hill
David B. Hill
David Bennett Hill was an American politician from New York who was the 29th Governor of New York from 1885 to 1891.-Life:...
was defeated by Republican Levi P. Morton
Levi P. Morton
Levi Parsons Morton was a Representative from New York and the 22nd Vice President of the United States . He also later served as the 31st Governor of New York.-Biography:...
.
Shepard was a delegate to the National Convention
National Democratic Party (United States)
The National Democratic Party or Gold Democrats was a short-lived political party of Bourbon Democrats, who opposed the regular party nominee William Jennings Bryan in 1896. Most members were admirers of Grover Cleveland. They considered Bryan a dangerous man and charged that his "free silver"...
of the "Gold Democrats" in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
which nominated the Palmer
John M. Palmer (politician)
John McAuley Palmer , was an Illinois resident, an American Civil War General who fought for the Union, the 15th Governor of Illinois, and presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party in the 1896 election on a platform to defend the gold standard, free trade, and limited...
/Buckner
Simon Bolivar Buckner
Simon Bolivar Buckner fought in the United States Army in the Mexican–American War and in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He later served as the 30th Governor of Kentucky....
ticket for the United States presidential election, 1896
United States presidential election, 1896
The United States presidential election held on November 3, 1896, saw Republican William McKinley defeat Democrat William Jennings Bryan in a campaign considered by political scientists to be one of the most dramatic and complex in American history....
. In 1897, Shepard supported Seth Low
Seth Low
Seth Low , born in Brooklyn, New York, was an American educator and political figure who served as mayor of Brooklyn, as President of Columbia University, as diplomatic representative of the United States, and as Mayor of New York City...
who ran on the Citizens Union
Citizens Union
Citizens Union is one of the United States' first good government groups. Founded in 1897 as a political party, the group was reconstituted in 1908 as a non-partisan member organization with the broad mission of serving "as a watchdog for the public interest and an advocate for the common...
ticket for Mayor of New York City
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
at the first election under the Consolidation Charter, and said that Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society...
was the "most burning and disgraceful blot upon the municipal history of this country."
In 1900
United States presidential election, 1900
The United States presidential election of 1900 was a re-match of the 1896 race between Republican President William McKinley and his Democratic challenger, William Jennings Bryan. The return of economic prosperity and recent victory in the Spanish–American War helped McKinley to score a decisive...
, Shepard supported William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan was an American politician in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. He was a dominant force in the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, standing three times as its candidate for President of the United States...
for President. The next year, Tammany boss Richard Croker
Richard Croker
Richard Croker, Sr. was an American politician, a leader of New York City's Tammany Hall.-Biography:...
had Shepard nominated as the regular Democratic candidate for Mayor of New York City
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
, but he was defeated by Seth Low
Seth Low
Seth Low , born in Brooklyn, New York, was an American educator and political figure who served as mayor of Brooklyn, as President of Columbia University, as diplomatic representative of the United States, and as Mayor of New York City...
who had been nominated by a fusion of Anti-Tammany Democrats, Republicans and the Citizens Union
Citizens Union
Citizens Union is one of the United States' first good government groups. Founded in 1897 as a political party, the group was reconstituted in 1908 as a non-partisan member organization with the broad mission of serving "as a watchdog for the public interest and an advocate for the common...
.
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
Samuel Langhorne Clemens , better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist...
, an avid supporter of Seth Low, said of Edward M. Shepard: "A Tammany banana is a strange thing. One end of it, or one part, here or there, is perfectly white. The rest of it is rotten. Now, I have the greatest respect for Mr. Shepard personally, but nine-tenths of the rest of the bananas on that ticket are rotten. Mr. Shepard is the white part of the banana. The best we can do is throw the whole banana from us, for it is unfit. It will make us sick. "
In 1909, he started a movement to unite the infighting factions of the Democratic Party in New York, which led in 1910 to the election of John Alden Dix
John Alden Dix
John Alden Dix was the 38th Governor of New York from January 1911 to December 1912.-Life:Born in Glens Falls, Warren County, New York, Dix attended Cornell University, but never graduated. He was an initiated member of the Beta Charge of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity...
(the first Democratic Governor of New York
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
since Roswell P. Flower
Roswell P. Flower
Roswell Pettibone Flower was Governor of New York from 1892 to 1894.-Biography:He was a son of Nathan Monroe Flower and Mary Ann Flower, the sixth of nine children....
had left office in 1894) and majorities in both Houses of the New York State Legislature (for the first time since 1893). Shepard had been considered the frontrunner for the gubernatorial nomination, but Tanmmany boss Charles Francis Murphy
Charles Francis Murphy
Charles Francis "Silent Charlie" Murphy was a U.S. political figure, head of New York City's Tammany Hall.-Biography:...
preferred Dix. Early next year, the Democrats having a majority in the State Legislature, is was generally believed that Shepard would be elected U.S. Senator from New York to succeed Republican Chauncey M. Depew. But boss Murphy put up William F. Sheehan
William F. Sheehan
William Francis Sheehan was an American lawyer and politician. During his political career he became known as Blue-Eyed Billy.-Biography:He was born on November 6, 1859 in Buffalo, New York....
for the nomination, and the longest deadlock in the history of the State of New York ensued. In the United States Senate election in New York, 1911
United States Senate election in New York, 1911
The 1911 United States Senate election in New York was held from January 17 to March 31, 1911, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.-Background:Republican Chauncey M...
, Shepard was the candidate most favored by the "Insurgent" Democrats, led by State Senator Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
. He received 15 votes (out of 200) on the 32nd ballot, but retired from the race after the 34th ballot on February 25, 1911, trying to move Sheehan to do the same for the sake of party unity. But Sheehan remained in the field, and after 74 days of deadlock, James A. O'Gorman was elected as a compromise candidate on April 1.
On June 16, Shepard caught a cold, and died six weeks later of pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
at his summer residence "Erlowest" (now The Inn at Erlowest), on Lake George
Lake George (New York)
Lake George, nicknamed the Queen of American Lakes, is a long, narrow oligotrophic lake draining northwards into Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River Drainage basin located at the southeast base of the Adirondack Mountains in northern New York, U.S.A.. It lies within the upper region of the...
's "Millionaire's Row." Shepard never married.
Works
- Dishonor in American Public Life (1882)
- The Work of a Social Teacher (1884)
- Martin Van Buren (1888), in the “American Statesmen Series”
- The Democratic Party (1892)