Elliott Shepard

Shepard was born in New York City on October 13, 1876. His parents were Elliott Fitch Shepard (1833–1893), a prominent lawyer and banker, and Margaret Louisa Vanderbilt Shepard (1845–1924),{{cite news|title=MRS. SHEPARD OF A HEART ATTACK; Daughter of tho Late William Vanderbilt Succumbs Suddenly in Fifth Avenue Apartment, WAS IN HER 79TH YEAR Had Attended the Wedding of Her Granddaughter, Louise Schleffelin, on Saturday.|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D00EEDA1539EF32A25757C0A9659C946595D6CF&legacy=true|access-date=18 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=4 March 1924}} eldest daughter of William Henry Vanderbilt and Maria Louisa Kissam.

Shepard was educated at Westminster School in Simsbury, Connecticut, and started at Yale University in 1895.{{cite book|title=Secretary's Fourth Report, Harvard College Class of 1899|publisher=Harvard University|page=411|url=https://archive.org/stream/n4secretarysre1899harvuoft|date=June 1914|access-date=December 13, 2016}} In 1896, he was almost expelled in his freshman year for bringing three drunk women to his dormitory.{{cite news|title=Elliott Shepard Fired|newspaper=The World|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/85302778/|date=February 15, 1895|access-date=October 30, 2016}} He stated that he didn't want to abandon the women, who became ill, and that they were allowed entrance to his dormitory based on that. He resigned from the school the following day.{{cite news|title=Too Gay Was Young Mr. Shepard}} He later studied at Harvard University.{{cite web|title=Eliott Shepard Jr.|url=http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/drivers/bio/shepard|publisher=Vanderbilt Cup Races|access-date=October 7, 2012}}

Following his divorce in 1902, Shepard again returned to Paris, living at 244 rue de Rivoli. He made several more attempts as opening businesses, all of which were again unsuccessful.{{cite news|title=E.F. SHEPARD'S FUTURE.; HE AND HIS BRIDE WILL GO TO EUROPE THIS WEEK. Later He Proposes to Practice Law in This City – The Condition of His Fortune – How He Met His Wife.|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D0DE6DD143DE633A25750C1A9629C94669ED7CF&legacy=true|access-date=18 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=13 April 1897}}{{cite news|title=PLEAD FOR E.F. SHEPARD.; Friends Ask Intervention for New York Man Sentenced in Paris.|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9A04E2DB1F3DE633A25752C3A9669D946497D6CF&legacy=true|access-date=18 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=31 October 1905}}

On April 27, 1905, Shepard knocked down and killed a 12-year-old girl, Madeline Marduel. A trial followed, and on October 26 the judge sentenced Shepard to three months imprisonment, a $120 fine and he was ordered to pay $4,000 in damages to the girl's parents.{{cite news|title=FRENCH JUDGE SENDS E.F. SHEPARD TO JAIL; Automobile of W.H. Vanderbilt's Grandson Killed a Girl. DAMAGES OF $4,000 IMPOSED Shepard to Appeal – His Counsel Say He Is Being Made a Scapegoat – Imprisonment Postponed.|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E07EFDE143DE733A25754C2A9669D946497D6CF&legacy=true|access-date=18 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=27 October 1905}} Shepard appealed the decision, and the case was eventually settled in January 1907, with a reduced sentence of six weeks imprisonment. After nine days in Fresnes prison, Shepard was pardoned after paying a further $2,000.{{cite news|title=E.F. SHEPARD PARDONED.; Spent 9 Days in French Jail and Paid $2,000 More for Fatal Auto Accident.|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=990CE4D9153EE033A2575BC1A9679C946697D6CF&legacy=true|access-date=18 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=January 18, 1907}}

In the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup, a race started in 1904 by his cousin, William Kissam Vanderbilt II, Shepard lost control of his Hotchkiss HH car and hit two spectators who were killed in the incident.{{cite web|last=Kurczewski|first=Nick|title=When Gentlemen First Started Their Engines|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/03/nyregion/03LI.html?fta=y&pagewanted=print&position=|work=The New York Times|date=October 3, 2004|access-date=October 7, 2012}} Unaware of what had happened, Shepard continued until reaching the service area at East Norwich. Here he was informed by his mechanic that his car may have collided with someone, and a telephone call to the race organisers confirmed what had happened. Upon hearing this, Shepard withdrew from the event.

In 1907,{{cite news|title=E.F. SHEPARD HURT IN AUTO CUP RACE; His Collarbone Broken – Tire Slips and Machine Goes Into the River. HE LED IN FIRST CIRCUIT Cagno Wins Race at Brescia After Being Among the Last of the Contestants in the Early Stages.|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E02E1D8163EE233A25750C0A96F9C946697D6CF&legacy=true|access-date=18 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=3 September 1907}} Shepard was injured when he drove into a river in Monte Chiarl after a tire on his car became detached and sent the car bouncing over the bridge railing moving a further five yards into the river. He broke his collarbone with other slight injuries to his body.{{cite news|title=Italian Captures Auto Road Race – American Driver Injured|newspaper=Boston Evening Transcript|date=September 3, 1907|page=12}}

During World War I, Shepard worked in a hospital for American volunteers for the French army in Chantilly, France. His work helped him to receive the Knight of the Legion de Honneur, the Croix de Guerre and the American Field Service Medal. He gave up his estate in Chantilly for those sick or wounded in the American Field Service.{{Cite web | url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1917/09/05/96265453.pdf | title=Killed in Ambulance Work | website=timesmachine.nytimes.com}} He served as president of the organization and chairman of its Paris Branch.{{Cite web |url=http://ourstory.info/library/2-ww1/Bulletins/06jul20.html |title=American Field Service Bulletin, Number Two, July, 1920 |access-date=2016-12-09 |archive-date=2018-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614171803/http://ourstory.info/library/2-ww1/Bulletins/06jul20.html |url-status=dead }}

On April 10, 1897, Shepard married Esther Potter, a 25-year-old widow, in a civic marriage.{{cite news|title=ELLIOTT F. SHEPARD WEDS.; The Bride is Mrs. Esther Potter, a Widow – Ceremony Performed by Dr. John Hall.|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9805E0DE1630E132A25752C1A9629C94669ED7CF&legacy=true|access-date=18 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=11 April 1897}} A religious ceremony followed at the insistence of Shepard's mother, after which the newlyweds left for Europe. Shepard went into business in Paris, but was unsuccessful. He briefly returned to the US with his wife, but they separated and in August 1902, she filed for absolute divorce.{{cite news|title=ELLIOTT F. SHEPARD SUED FOR DIVORCE; His Marriage with Mrs. Esther Potter Caused Surprise in 1897. They Returned from Prolonged Residence Abroad After He Had Been Unsuccessful in Business in Paris.|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B06EFDF1E30E132A25750C1A96E9C946397D6CF&legacy=true|access-date=18 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=13 August 1902}}

Shepard later married Eleanor Leigh Terradell (1882–1962), daughter of Thomas Terradell. Her sister, Mercedes Terradell was married to Prof. Jean Labatut in 1929.{{cite news|title=MERCEDES TERRADELL TO WED PROF. LABATUT; Engagement Is Announced by Mrs. Elliott F. Shepard, Bride-Elect's Sister.|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D02E7D91330E33ABC4C51DFB3668382639EDE&legacy=true|access-date=18 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=24 May 1929}} During the War, they turned their home in Chantilly, France into a convalescence hospital.{{cite web|title=Elliott Shepard 13/10/1876 – 10/4/1927|url=https://www.historicracing.com/driver_detail.cfm?driverID=8050|website=www.historicracing.com|access-date=18 January 2018|language=en-us|archive-date=3 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203222943/http://historicracing.com/driver_detail.cfm?driverID=8050|url-status=dead}}

Shepard died on April 10, 1927, at his Miami beach estate, after a long illness.{{cite news|title=Sportsman Dies at Florida Estate|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|volume=84|number=101|page=1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/100513807/|date=April 11, 1927|access-date=October 30, 2016}}{{cite news|title=DIED. SHEPARD, Elliott Fitch|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9802EFD6143BE13ABC4B52DFB266838C639EDE&legacy=true|access-date=18 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=13 April 1927}}

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Category:1876 births

Category:1927 deaths

Category:Harvard University alumni

Category:American recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France)

Elliott Shepard

Category:Yale University alumni

Category:Racing drivers from New York City

Category:Burials at the Vanderbilt Family Cemetery and Mausoleum