Shepard, George R., 1895-1944

George R. Shepard was born on October 25, 1895, in Concordia, Kansas. His father was a Baptist minister and served parishes in Salina and Iola, Kansas and Billings, Montana, where they moved in 1913.

Shepard graduated from Billings High School in 1914, taught in Yellowstone County, and was principal of Custer High School. While teaching he homesteaded a claim six miles north of Custer, Montana. In 1917, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served until 1919. He entered the University of Montana--Missoula that same year and graduated in 1921 with A.B. and LL.B degrees. He taught school for another year, then became the general attorney for the Missoula Mercantile Company and operated a general law practice.

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