He was born on January 31, 1835 in Washington, District of Columbia, United States, the eldest of seven children. His parents, Alexander Shepherd and Susan Davidson (Robey), were of English extraction and natives of Maryland; the former was a lumber merchant.
After his father's death Alexander withdrew from school.
As store boy, carpenter's apprentice, and plumber's assistant in turn, he contributed to the support of the family. He ultimately opened his own plumbing establishment and did a lucrative business, engaging also in real estate and building operations.
He served as a three months' volunteer at the opening of the Civil War and then entered municipal politics, being elected to the common council for three successive years and holding the presidency in 1862. His public career began at a time when Washington was a squalid village with unpaved streets, poor lighting, a primitive system of water supply, and open sewers. Agitation for the removal of the Capital to a more fitting center soon gained ground and, whether from selfish motives or civic pride, Shepherd became the ardent champion of an extensive program of modernization as a means of averting the catastrophe.
In October 1867 he joined Crosby S. Noyes and three other friends in purchasing the Evening Star, which thereafter served as his organ. He was appointed to the levy court in 1867 and again in 1869. In 1870 he was chosen president of the Citizens' Reform Association and became alderman in the same year. He advocated a centralized government, closely connected with Congress, as a means of carrying out a broadly conceived plan of urban improvement, and his efforts bore fruit in the act of February 21, 1871, creating a territorial government for the District of Columbia and constituting a board of public works with extensive powers. President Grant named him a member of the latter body and he was elected vice-president at its first meeting.
He quickly overshadowed his colleagues and won the name "Boss Shepherd" by assuming complete control. His custom of awarding contracts to friends in casual fashion without competitive bidding led to accusations that he was sharing in the spoils.
Upon the resignation of Henry D. Cooke as governor in 1873, Grant bestowed the position upon Shepherd. His recklessness and unscrupulous methods led to congressional investigation and the passage of the act of June 20, 1874, which replaced territorial government by commission rule.
Grant thereupon named him commissioner, but the Senate refused to confirm the appointment, although he had been found innocent of personal dishonesty. Long neglect of private affairs had left Shepherd a poor man, but determined to start life anew, he became interested in a silver mine at Batopilas, Chihuahua, Mexico, moved there in 1880, and converted the property into a highly valuable one.
He died of appendicitis at Batopilas fifteen years later.
Being head of the DC Board of Public Works and Governor of the District of Columbia Alexander Shepherd transformed Washington into a metropolis with paved streets, good sidewalks, adequate water and sewerage facilities, gas lights, and spacious parks; but at staggering cost. He was called "The Father of Modern Washington" as his civic improvements modernized Washington, thus relocation of the capital was never again discussed. His statue stands next to the sidewalk of Pennsylvania Avenue. The District of Columbia neighborhood of Shepherd Park is named for him, as is Alexander Shepherd Elementary School in that neighborhood.
Shepherd was a strong Republican and a Union man.
In physique, he was a giant of a man. He had indomitable courage and was never daunted by criticism of the means employed for the attainment of his objectives.
Quotes from others about the person
Washington historian Nelson Rimensnyder started to argue for a restoration of Shepherd's reputation, calling him an "urban visionary who singlehandedly transformed Washington into a major American city and championed aggressive social reform. "
On January 30, 1862, he married Mary Grice Young, daughter of Col. W. P. Young; they had ten children, three of whom died early in life.
