Prior to an Act of Congress in 1892, a veteran had to demonstrate a service-related disability to be eligible for an "invalid" pension-- the only type available to veterans. Many petitioners engaged the service of an attorney, commonly called a "pension attorney" (the 1892 Act eliminated the disability requirement, though "invalid" pensions could result in higher allotments). James L. Shepard of San Francisco and Oakland was one such "pension attorney," apparently working on his own in San Francisco in 1891 and as a partner of Shepard & Norton, Oakland, Calif., in 1892. Shepard was married to the much younger Eliza London Shepard (1866-1939) and they were listed as living in Oakland with their two children in the 1900 Census; Eliza Shepard was the step-sister of Jack London. James E. Shepard had reportedly accompanied Jack London to the Yukon during the 1898 gold rush. Their marriage ended in divorce before Shepard's death in 1917. Eliza Shepard and a son, "Irving," moved to Glen Ellen and was associated with his ranch and the construction of the "Wolf House." She remained associated with the London estate and Jack London's widow, Charmian, until Eliza's death in 1939.