Individual Details
Alphonso Vernell "Font" Shepler
(2 Jun 1850 - 15 Feb 1911)
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From "History of North Washington" Published 1904
Aphonso resides 1 mile northeast from Chewelah where he devotes himself to farming and mining as well as operating a real estate business in Chewelah. He was born in Peoria, Illinois, on June 2, 1850, the son of Samuel J. and Hester (Frye) Shepler, natives of Pennsylvania. They are descendants of the colonists who came to the country with William Penn. The father served on transports during the Civil War under Generals Thomas, Grant and Banks. After the war he owned and operated steamboats for three years. Subsequent to this he conducted a sawmill business in Kansas and was probate judge and clerk for the county for six years. Then he opened a real estate office and in 1886, was called to the world beyond. They were parents of six children: Alphonso V., Thomas S., Eunice A., Bell, John H. deceased, Mary Lytle and Nora T., deceased. Our subject was educated very thoroughly and continued to labor with and for his father until he was thirty years of age. He came to Sprague in 1882 and railroaded for a time. His next venture was to conduct a bakery in Moscow, and in 1888 came to Stevens County and bought the quarter section where he now resides. In addition to his real estate Mr. Shepler owns considerable mining properties, among which may be mentioned the Widow’s Mite, Madderhorn, in the Chewelah district and others on the reservation. In 1903 opened up a real estate business which he has followed together with his other enterprises ever since.
In 1880 Mr. Shepler was married to Sophronia Van Slyke, whose ancestors came from Holland. She had ten brothers and sisters; Alfred, Levi, deceased, Edward, Franklyn, all have been prominent in military circles, Darius, Austin E., Willard D., Corinthia, Lydia and John W. Mr. and Mrs. Shepler are parents of three children: Delta, wife of H. R. Denn, of this county: Hester N., deceased, John H. P., with his parents. Mr. Shepler is an active Democrat. In 1890 he made the race against Fred Sherwood and lacked only a few votes of gaining the day. He has been Justice of the Peace for six years and takes great interest in the progress of the county. Mr. Shepler is a member of A. F. and A. M. and his wife is a member of the W. R. C.
The Colville Examiner, Colville, WA. Saturday, 19 Sep 1908, p.5
A. V. Shepler of Chewelah has been for the past month enjoying a visit from a company of relatives whom he has not seen for many years. They are T. P. Shepler, a brother, of Alva, Oklahoma; Mrs. May C. Lytle, a
sister, and another sister Mrs. W. A. Bell and her husband. Tuesday the entire party, with Mrs. Shepler, left for a tour of three weeks to include a trip through British Columbia and Puget Sound, seeing such things as Kansas and Oklahoma people seldom witness in the form of mountain and ocean scenery.
Saturday, 18 Feb 1911, p. 3
Chewelah Mayor
Dies Suddenly
A. V. Shepler, mayor of Chewelah, and for nearly 25 years one of the foremost citizens of Stevens county,
died at his home Wednesday evening at nine o'clock, after a two days' illness of pneumonia, which took him out of apparently the best of health.
Alphonso V. Shepler was born in Peoria,Ill, June 2, 1850, the eldest son of Samuel J. and Hester (Fry) Shepler, natives of Pennsylvania, with a family line originating with the colony established in the Quaker state by William Penn. Through all the trials of the republic his forebears were patriots, and the father served through the Civil war under Generals Thomas, Banks and Grant, later removing with his family to Kansas.
Mr. Shepler came to the state of Washington in 1882 and entered the train service of the Northern Pacific
railroad, remaining there for a number of years. He engaged in business and remained for a year in Moscow, Idaho, and in 1888 came with his family to Chewelah, where he purchased a farm adjoining the city, and has since resided continuously in the community. Aside from agricultural pursuits he entered largely into mining and real estate, and left a comfortable fortune.
In 1880 he was married to Miss Cepronia Vanslyke in Kansas, and three children have been born to this union, Delta, Hester N. and John H. P. Shepler. All survive him.
Mr. Shepler's career has been exemplary of courageous honesty and integrity, and being a man of liberal attainments in point of education and experience he was readily recognized as a leading citizen of the community which he adopted as his home. Being a democrat he was a leader in his party, and was frequently called as a candidate, but more often he refused honors than accepted them, last year refusing the proffer of candidacy for the state senate, preferring to serve his city as mayor. A few years ago, upon the consummation of a successful mining deal which established his fortune, Mr. Shepler spread a banquet to his friends, invitingseveral hundred, the event being a social landmark in the history of the city. He was always equally zealous in sharing his energies in enforcing progressive measures for the betterment of his home community.
Mr. Shepler was prominent in fraternity circles, being a member of Chapter 20, R. A. M., of Colville, and
of Chewelah Lodge No. 135, F. &A.M., and was for a number of years its master; also he was a member of the Knights of Pythias. The funeral was conducted under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity from the home yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
Mr. Shepler was an active member of the Stevens County Pioneer Association. He was one of the best known men in Stevens county, and will be greatly missed.
Events
| Birth | 2 Jun 1850 | Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois |  | ||
| Death | 15 Feb 1911 | Chewelah, Stevens County, Washington | |
Families
| Father | Samuel Jefferson Shepler (1826 - 1885) |
| Mother | Hester Ann Frye (1828 - 1891) |
| Sibling | Thomas Frank Shepler (1852 - 1914) |
| Sibling | Eunice Anna Katherine "Kate" Shepler (1854 - 1917) |
| Sibling | John Henry Shepler (1857 - 1885) |
| Sibling | Wilbur Shepler (1860 - 1862) |
| Sibling | Clarene May Shepler (1862 - 1944) |
| Sibling | Nora Louisa Shepler (1867 - 1889) |
Endnotes
1. Jon Frye, Frye Family Association Journal. (4356 Chippewa Trail, Jamestown, OH 45335).
2. Jon Frye, Frye Family Association Journal. (4356 Chippewa Trail, Jamestown, OH 45335).