HEPLER, David - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

David Hepler, one of the oldest citizens of the county, who lilved for many years south of covington passed away last Wednesday night at the home of his granddaughter, Mrs. Minerva Nash, southwest of town. The deceased was born in NC and came to Fountain County more than 60 years ago. He attained his 100th birthday last month. Two sons, Wesley Hepler of Kentucky and Addison Hepler of Kingman survive.

David Hepler, was a Christian gentleman .... His parents came to NC, Davidson Co, from Holland where David was born January 10, 1820. In the year of 1842 he was married to Mary Bowers, they founded an ideal home; love, faith and hope were its cornerstones. It was a very pleasant home, a good place to be. Charity, kindly words and good cheer were always to be found. They were the parents of 7 children: four boys & 3 girls, all have proceeded him to the Great Beyond, except two boys, Wesley of Union City, Tenn and Addison of Kingman, IN. The sorrow of the occasion is added to by the fact that Wesley, who is ill was unable to be present. Uncle Dave as he was familiarly called, came by wagon to Indiana in the year 1858 and settled in Fountain County, near the village of Wallace. They were among the early pioneer families of the state and endured the hardships of early pioneer life in Ind. He spent 40 years of his life as a blacksmith which was his chief occupation. Then he moved to Tenn in 1888 on a farm. 18 year ago his wife after a brief illness was taken. With rare love and tenderness he cared for her and laid her to rest in Fremont Cemetery, Tenn. He returned to Indiana and lived with his daughter, Mrs. Katie Johnson near Yeddo, until two years ago when death again robbed him of home and loving care. He was taken to Perrysville to make his home with a granddaughter, Mrs. Minerva Wash who loved and cared for him until his death. Uncle Dave and relatives were often heard to speak of with loving care and tenderness that was bestowed upon him by his granddaughter. For one to belong to church may mean little or more, it depends on the man. For Uncle Dave it meant that he earnestly believed the Bible, that he had faith in Christ that he loved his fellow men that life was a place to be good. Believing these things, he joined the Dutch Luthern Denomination, later putting his membership with the Lutheran Church near Wallace and was a member of that church at his death. His life was an open book and because he lived a quite simple life and loved God and man, his influence has gone far and some of us here today, know what an example his life has been. It was to his sorrow that he was not able to be present at Old Settler's Meeting last Aug and receive the silver dollar as he had for several years, for being the oldest man present. He bore his lot and afflictions with patience and without a murmur. Death came as a welcome relief Tues, Feb 3, 1920 at the great age of 100 years and 24 days; thus a quiet and humble life has gone to rest. There waits an empty chair but blessing of his life will still live on in the hearts of relatives and firends. he leaves to mourn his departure two sons, twenty-six grandchildren; forty great grandchildren; twentyseven great great grandchildren and one sister, Christiana Bowers, who is 87 years old and lives in Mound City, Minn.