Early life
Childhood and education
John G. Shepard was born May 15, 1803, in Attleborough, Massachusetts. He was the son of Shepard's father, a doctor and his mother, a well-educated farm girl. He attended the local public schools until the age of 16, when he was sent to live with an uncle in Boston. He learned to be a carpenter and worked in his uncle's shop for two years.
First inventions and patents
In 1822, Shepard returned to Attleborough and started his own carpentry shop. He soon began experimenting with new inventions, and in 1825 he patented a new type of mortising machine. This machine was a great success and was soon being used in woodworking shops all over the country.
Steamboat and railroad development
In the early 1830s, Shepard became interested in steamboats and railroads. He built a small steamboat, the "Lady of the Lake," which he operated on nearby Lake Sabbatia. He also started a small railroad company, the Attleborough and Wrentham Railroad.
Move to Boston and later life
In 1835, Shepard moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where he continued his work on steamboats and railroads. He also became involved in politics, and he served in the Massachusetts legislature from 1840 to 1842. In 1852, he was appointed the United States Commissioner of Railways. Shepard died in Boston on August 18, 1880.
Legacy
John G. Shepard was a prolific inventor and entrepreneur who made significant contributions to the development of steamboats and railroads in the United States. His inventions and innovations helped to improve transportation and communication, and they played a major role in the economic development of the country.