No. 2548 Shepard’s Bakehouse, photograph from Dorchester Old and New, 1630-1930.
“Employed at Bent’s factory [Milton] was a young man named Otis Shepard, of Dorchester, who, after serving his apprenticeship in 1818, joined his brother Hiram, under the firm name of Otis Shepard & Co., and opened a small cracker bakery near where the present soldiers’ monument is at Meeting House Hill. They prospered, and in 1820 built the brick building still standing on Bowdoin Street, and long known as a landmark. In the Shepard family were eight brothers, Otis being the older. In time Hiram left the firm and was succeeded by James, who, after Otis died, became head of the enterprise. Horatio was employed as driver and he became head of the firm after James’ death in 1869. Horatio had a son, Albert E., who, after leaving school, entered his father’s employ and succeeded to the ownership when death claimed his father in 1880.
Under his management the business flourished, and two retail stores were operated in connection with the main bakery. One was at 417 Neponset Avenue, and the other was at 1401 Dorchester Avenue, which latter store was sold to David Smith in 1907. About fifteen years ago Mr. Shepard was afflicted with rheumatism, and since 1903 has not been able to walk, which sickness finally caused him to close the bakery in 1907, and brought to a close the family’s connection with the bakery business. The Shepard bakery became famous for its ” ‘Lection Cakes.” These were sold especially at election or town-meeting days, when Mr. Shepard always had a counter in the Town Hall. These cakes were made of a good, rich bun dough, and sold at twenty cents a sheet, and weighed about a pound and one-half.”
Otis Shepard married Ann Pope:
Ann, eldest daughter of William and Sarah (Pierce) Pope, b. Oct. 5, 1803 m. Oct. 5, 1823, Otis Shepard, son of Ralph and Nabby (Gay) Shepard, b. March 12, 1797, in Stoughton. He taught school in his early years; he was engaged in the baking business. In company with his brothers. Was much interested in town and public affairs and a very prominent citizen, He died Fe. 20, 1859.
Mrs. Ann (Pope) Shepard lived out a long and useful life. With a very large family of children, several of whom were quite young when the husband and father was removed, she was called up to exercise a great deal of “faith and patience,” and she responded to this “call” in a worthy manner. A woman of affairs, she kept stirring and striving, never at random, but always to some good purpose. … Mrs. Shepard’s death took place Jan. 15, 1886.
The Shepard family opened another bakery at 1401 Dorchester Avenue:
A. H. Shepard, Bakery, 1401 Dorchester Avenue, Main Store, Hancock Street, cor. of Winter.
The following is from Picturesque Boston Highlands, Jamaica Plain and Dorchester. (New York : Mercantile Illustrating Co., 1895)
“… It was founded just about three-quarters of a century ago, operations having been begun in 1819, by Mesrs. Otis Shepard & Co., and it has been under the sole control of the present [i.e., Albert] proprietor since 1881 … branch store 417 Neponset Street.”
Sources
Bakers and Baking in Massachusetts, including the flour, baking supply and kindred interst from 1620 to 1909. By Arthur W. Brayley. Boston: The Master Bakers’ Association of Massachusetts, 1909.
Charles Henry Pope. A History of the Dorchester Pope Family. 1634-1888. (Boston: The Author, 1888), 166-167.
A. H. Shepard, Bakery, 1401 Dorchester Avenue, Main Store, Hancock Street, cor. of Winter.
… It was founded just about three-quarters of a century ago, operations having been begun in 1819, by Mesrs. Otis Shepard & Co., and it has been under the sole contrl of the present properitor since 1881 … branch store 417 Neponset Street
From Picturesque Boston Highlands, Jamaica Plain and Dorchester. (New York : Mercantile Illustrating Co., 1895)