Sheppard, Lafayette F.

Petaluma Courier, Feb. 24, 1886, p. 3

LAFAYETTE F. SHEPPARD was born in 1852 in Ohio and died in Inglewood, California in 1940. He arrived in California sometime before 1880 and was employed in various occupations in several cities throughout the state. In 1879 he married Maggie M. Sheppard whose family resided in Rollerville, Mendocino County. According to Carl Mautz, Sheppard had photographic galleries in Point Arena and San Jose in the 1880s. Sometime between 1884 and 1885, Sheppard was partnering with James K. Piggott at their jointly owned photographic gallery in Santa Rosa.

In February of 1886, however, Sheppard advertised in the Petaluma Courier the opening of his own gallery in the space formerly occupied by Petaluma photographer, Lewis Dowe. The ad proclaimed, “The gentleman uses the newest instantaneous process in his art, and is prepared to do first-class work. A speciality will be made of babies’ photos, and good work will be guaranteed.” Sheppard continued to work as a photographer in Petaluma at least through June of 1891.

Petaluma Studio: Sheppard’s studio occupied the former rooms of the Petaluma photographer, Lewis Dowe, one door above the First National Bank. On September 23, 1891 the Petaluma Courier reported Sheppard’s gallery had been taken over by Easterly & Company.

Active in Petaluma: February 1886 - August/September 1891

Bibliography: Carl Mautz, “Sheppard, Lafayette T. [sic],” Biographies of Western Photographers, A Reference Guide to Photographers Working in the 19th Century American West, Expanded and Revised Edition, 2018, p. 168; https://digital.sonomalibrary.org/about/photographer; Petaluma Courier, Feb. 24, 1886, p.3; Aug. 4, 1886, p.2; August 13, 1890, p.5; September 23, 1891, p.2.

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