Letters provide interesting insights into peoples lives and the times they lived in. I've retained the original spellings, but there may be typographical errors on my part as well.
Austin Hamilton Shepard to Aurelia Brockway, his aunt and the wife of Austin Hamilton, dated March 14, 1879, when he was 23. Austin Hamilton Shepard had lived with Aurelia and Austin from about 1864 to 1868, and a Laura Slocome lived with the Hamiltons from 1864 to about 1883. Source: Marjorie Gibson.
When Austin Hamilton Shepard was courting Alice May Thompson
Austin Hamilton Shepard to Alice May Thompson, dated February 5, 1881, a few weeks before his 25th birthday. They married on February 16, 1882. Source: Alice May Thompson's scrapbook, in the collection of the Boone County Historical Society.
Austin Hamilton Shepard to Alice May Thompson, dated May 9, 1881. Source: Alice May Thompson's scrapbook, in the collection of the Boone County Historical Society.
Austin Hamilton Shepard to Olive Emily Shepard, dated May 20, 1918, shortly after the death of his wife and her mother Alice May Thompson. Source: Marjorie Gibson.
Austin Hamilton Shepard to Olive Emily Shepard, dated January 1, 1928. Source: Marjorie Gibson.
"Mother" to Olive Emily Shepard, presumably from Myrtle Jobson, dated January 2, 1928. Source: Marjorie Gibson.
Immediately after his birthday on February 29, 1928 Austin Hamilton Shepard and his second wife Myrtle Jobson went to Cleveland to visit his daughter Olive Emily and her family. He suffered a stroke soon after arriving there. The following letters were written just before his death on April 28, 1928.
Ophelia Lyda Robinson to Olive Emily Shepard, dated April 25, 1928. Source: Marjorie Gibson.
Norton Hamilton Shepard to Olive Emily Shepard, dated April 27, 1928. Source: Marjorie Gibson.
Last updated: June 30, 2001