|
 |
|
|
| |
Little did Charles Alfred Sheppard know how far his
decision to leave his employment with the Louisville
& Nashville Railroad would take his family. As
a professional engineer for the railroad, he believed
he could be successful in his own business of land
surveying and civil engineering. Well, over 100 years
later, his descendents are still enjoying the satisfaction
of that decision through the successful efforts of
Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab, Inc.
|
 |
|
For eight years, C. A. Sheppard worked
on his own, then formed a partnership with his brother-in-law,
W. H. Morgan. Together they built their business in Edwardsville,
Illinois, providing surveying and engineering services for
a variety of clients.
Although he attained an engineering degree
in 1917, C. H. Sheppard (C. A.’s son) did not immediately
join the firm. He first served in the military during World
War I, then the local economic depression forced him to
work for employers in the public and private sectors. In
1921, he formed a partnership with John Schwaab in Alton,
Illinois.
|
|
 |
The
four men in these two separate partnerships considered
themselves equals, helping one another build their businesses
and reputations. In 1928, that changed with the unexpected
death of C. A. Sheppard after an automobile accident.
Morgan was unable to continue the business on his own
and asked Sheppard and Schwaab to join him. The new
firm was named Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab Engineers
with offices in Alton and Edwardsville. |
|
| |
|
Two
years later, Schwaab died of a heart attack and in 1945
Morgan died, leaving C. H. Sheppard as sole survivor
of the partnership. Neither Morgan nor Schwaab had ancestors
join the family business, leaving the Sheppard family
to carry it on.
C. L. Sheppard joined
his father in the family business in 1955. Today he
is Chairman of the Board. His son, C. A. (Cas) Sheppard,
who joined the firm in 1981, became President in 2001.
The company maintains
offices in Alton and Granite City, and serves clients
in Madison, St. Clair, Jersey, Macoupin, and Calhoun
counties in Illinois, as well as the Missouri counties
in the St. Louis area. It employs engineers, surveyors,
technicians, and administrative personnel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
