SHEPARD, William Biddle, a Representative from North Carolina; born in New Bern, N.C., May 14, 1799; completed preparatory studies; attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1813; was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Camden County, later removing to Elizabeth City, Pasquotank County, N.C.; also engaged in banking; elected as an Anti-Jacksonian to the Twenty-first through the Twenty-fourth Congresses (March 4, 1829-March 3, 1837); chairman, Committee on District of Columbia (Twenty-fourth Congress); was not a candidate for renomination in 1836; member of the state senate 1838-1840 and 1848-1850; member of the board of trustees of the University of North Carolina 1838-1852; died in Elizabeth City, N.C., June 20, 1852; interment in St. Paul’s Churchyard, Edenton, N.C.
(Source: Biographical Directory of the United States 1774-present.)