Cudgegong Valley History Project

Death of a Mudgee Identity. MR. M. J. SHEPPARD. An old identity of Mudgee, in the person of Mr. Montgomerie Jennings Sheppard, passed away suddenly at Pittwater Road, Manly, on Monday, June 25. The deceased gentleman resided in Mudgee for some forty years, conducting a saddlery business, and later as Sheppard and Co., a fancy goods, newspaper, and stationery business. Mr. Sheppard's father and mother were among the early pioneers of Mudgee, his father owning the first tannery (in the early days) at West End. His late ber, Mr. Michael Sheppard, was the proprietor and editor of the first Hill End newspaper, "Western Post." Mr. Sheppard was born at Cork, Ireland, and came to this country with his parents when very young.

He interested himself in many mining speculations at Gulgong, Hill End, and Hargraves, and took a keen interest in politics. The funeral took place from Waugh and Co.'s private chapel, Corso, Manly, on Wednesday. The chief mourners were Mr. M. J. Sheppard, post and telegraph master, Taree (son), Mr. W. C. Sheppard, Public School, Belmore (son), Mr. G. E. Sheppard, Public School, Wollongong (son), Mrs. H. F. Milne, Public School, Rylstone (daughter), Mrs. Charles Larkin, ''Como Valley," Ben Bullen (daughter), Mrs. J. Meier, Parramatta (niece), Mr. Charles Sheppard, Great Eastern Cable Co. (nephew), Mr. and Mrs. P. S. Garling, manager Hean's manufacturing chemists, Sydney (nephew). Mr. George Adams, of the Fresh Food and Ice Co., who had been foreman at Mr. Sheppard's saddlery business for many years, attended at the graveside, also Major Williams and others. The only child absent was Quartermaster Sergeant Charles Sheppard, who is in charge of the Commissariat Department at Harefield Hospital, England. Mr. Sheppard had attained the great age of 83 years. His wife predeceased him at Mudgee 20 years ago. The last sad obsequies were conducted by the Rev. Stoddart (Manly), the remains being interred in the Church of England portion of the Manly cemetery. Two of Mr. Sheppard's sisters still reside at Mudgee - Mrs. Geo. Arnold, of Gladstone-street, and Mrs. Geo. Tomkins, Douro-street, while Mr. Albert Sheppard, of the Mudgee Post Office, is a nephew. Much sympathy will be felt for the family and relatives by their many friends throughout the Mudgee district (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 12 July 1917, page 8).

Ben Bullen.

Sudden Death: Mrs. Charles Larkin. (From Our Correspondent). Many of your readers will regret very much to hear of the sudden death of Mrs. Charles Larkin, which sad event occurred in Sydney on Monday night. The deceased had been in the city less than a week, and had gone hither to seek medical advice. Word was received here too late for her husband to reach her bedside before she passed away. The deceased lady is an old Mudgeeite, and the family of which she was a member - that of the Sheppards - was well known in your district. Up to her marriage she had been in the service of the Education Department, and had had charge of the Ben Bullen public school. She took an interest in patriotic movements in the district, and was also a willing worker in connection with the church, having acted as organist at the religious services held in the local church.

Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 1 August 1918, p. 22. Evelyn Larkin Obituary

DEATHS Mrs H. F. Milne MRS Alicia Agnes Milne, widow of the late Herbert F. Milne (formerly head master of the Rylstone Public School) passed away in a private hospital at Strathfield on the 14th inst. The late Herbert Milne was one of the finest towns-men that Rylstone ever possessed, and it was largely through his untiring efforts, ably assisted by Mr Jack Grady and a few other enthusiasts, that the Rylstone District Hospital was established. Mrs Milne ably supported her husband in most of his activities, and was one of the founders of the local Red Cross organisation that performed such valuable work during the war period and after, and the Digger had a warm spot in her heart. The deceased was 65 years of age, and leaves three sons, Messrs Herbert, Robert, and George, and one daughter, Jessie, to whom we, in common with every resident of Rylstone, tender our heartfelt sympathy in their great loss (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 21 December 1933, page 1).

DEATHS: MILNE. - December 14, 1933, at a private hospital, Strathfield, Alicia Agnes Adams, widow of H. F. Milne, late of Rylstone, and beloved mother of Herbert, Robert, George, and Jessie, aged 65 years (Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 15 December 1933, page 10).

DEATHS: MILNE.-December 14, 1933, at a private hospital, Strathfield, Alicia Agnes Adams, widow of H. F. Milne, late of Rylstone, and of 4 Hodge-street, Hurstville, and mother of Herbert, Robert, George, and Jessie, aged 65 years. (Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 16 December 1933, page 14).

MR. M. J. Sheppard died at his son's residence, Armidale, last week, aged 76 years. Deceased was a member of one of Mudgee's oldest families, his late father having conducted a saddlery establishment in Market Street for a great many years. In his young days deceased was noted throughout the district for his football and cricketing ability, and some of his performances are still talked of when the old hands foregather. He was connected with the Education Department for a great many years. Four sons and three daughters are left to mourn, and the deepest sympathy will be extended to the bereaved ones (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 8 June 1939, page 2).

MR. MONTGOMERY JENNINGS SHEPPARD. Manning friends will hear with regret of the death of Mr. Montgomery Jennings Sheppard, which occurred at Armidale, at the residence of his son, Mr. W. E. Sheppard, on Wednesday last, in his 76th year. Until a couple of years ago he was a healthy, robust man, but then sickness came upon him and he had been an invalid in the interim. A fine, upstanding, happy and genial gentleman, he spent a few years in Taree as postmaster. That period covered the armistice and for a few years after. In his younger days he was a noted sport, specialising in cricket and rifle shooting particularly, but he also enjoyed a game of tennis, and played much while in Taree. Born at Bathurst, when a boy he moved with his parents to Mudgee. Leaving school, he joined the Postal Department and at the age of 18 he was said to be the youngest postmaster in Australia, being then in charge of the office at Marengo, in the Young district. He was subsequently postmaster at various places throughout the state, including beyond Bourke, Enngonia, Greta, Carcoar, and from Parramatta he was appointed to Taree over 20 years ago. As postmaster at Taree he had the confidence of the public and also the respect and warm esteem of the staff associated with him in the office. After being in the Department for 40 years, he resigned from the service and went to Wollongong, where he conducted an estate agency until failing health caused him to give it up. He frequently came to Taree to visit his daughters (Mrs. Bailey and Miss Sheppard), the last trip being some 2 1/2 years ago. In later years he became a bowler, a game which he delighted in. For some six months before the end came he had been in Armidale, living with his son. His wife died some 15 years ago, at Wollongong. The late Mr. Sheppard is survived by the following family: Mr. Leslie Sheppard (Maclean), Mr. William E. Sheppard (Armidale), Mr. Hunter Sheppard (Liverpool), Mr. Monty Sheppard (Wollongong), Mrs. J. Leigo (Strathfield), Mrs. D. G. P. Bailey (Taree), and Miss Dulcie Sheppard (Taree). Two bers survive - Messrs. Will and George Sheppard, while one ber and two sisters died some years ago. The funeral took place on Thursday last, the remains being laid to rest iu the Church of England portion of the Armidale cemetery, where the Rev. Canon Hully officiated (Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Observer, Friday 9 June 1939, page 6).

OBITUARY MR. WILLIAM CHARLES SHEPPARD The death occurred on Friday, January 19, at the residence of Mrs. Edgar Harrison, Dempster Street, Wollongong, of Mr. William Charles Sheppard at the age of 73 years. Mr. Sheppard was born in Mudgee and commenced his career there as a pupil teacher in the year 1854. In 1889 he married Miss Hawkins of Rylstone, after which he was sent in charge of different schools in the Albury district. After spending four years South he was again appointed to the Mudgee district and later to Rydal where he remained nineteen years. Mrs. Sheppard's illness caused his removal to the city and Belmore and Paddington were two schools Mr. Sheppard was well known in. After Mrs Sheppard's death in 1918 he went to the Stroud District for a year, afterwards returning to Belmore from which he was retired owing to his incapacity in 1925. Being a keen cricket and tennis enthusiast for many years he was well known in the sporting world, especially in Lithgow district. In 1906 he joined the Masonic Order entering Independent No. 8 Lithgow and was a member of the Royal Arch Lithgow and Mark Lodges until 1919, when he withdrew and joined Karuah. In 1921 he entered Paddington Royal Arch. He was also foundation member of Lodges Lakemba and Petersham Temperance 1921; life member of Paddington Royal Arch and Petersham Temperance since 1925. A short service was held at Mrs. Harrison's residence (Mr. Sheppard's home for the past fourteen years) by the Rev. G. Mottram. The remains were laid to rest in the C. of E. Cemetery, Wollongong, Rev. Mottram officiating at the graveside. Rev. E. Walker, R.D., read the last rites ot the Masonic service and was supported by a representative attendance of masons, quite a few being old Lithgow Lodge brethren. Mr. Sheppard helped to form Lodges and was a staunch mason and his work will ever be remembered in the many lodges he belonged to. Ideals such as his are worthy of note. Those left to mourn their loss are: Two daughters, three sons and Ber George (Illawarra Mercury, Friday 23 February 1940, page 4).