Epperson -Richard
RICHARD EPPERSON
Source: Crawfordsville Star 2-7-1884
-- Richard Epperson of Whitesville vicinity, died without warning of heart disease on last Friday morning. His death startled the entire community. He was widely known and honored and respected by all who had his acquaintance. Richard Epperson was born May 15, 1818 on a farm in Lunenburg Co VA. His youth was spent upon the farm in hard work, save a few weeks spent each winter in school when it was impossible to perform farm labor. At the age of 21 he began for himself working up on a farm by the month for about one year and a half. In April 1841, he began a new life, that of apprentice to his brother, William to learn the trade of carpenter and joiner in the city of Crawfordsville. After learning his trade, which occupied about two years, he followed it as a journeyman carpenter until 1848 when he formed a partnership with his brother which lasted until 1857. Upon the 9th of April he moved to his delightful country home, where he was engaged in farming and building till the fall of 1860 when he was elected upon the Republican ticket to represent his district in the Legislature. The following winter was spent in Indianapolis, attending the duties devolving upon a legislator as was also the following spring at the extra session. June 2, 1861 he was appointed Superintendent of the Northern Prison which occupied his attention until March 11, 1863 when he again undertook general contracting. April 3, 1865, he was appointed architect and general superintendet of the North Prison. Dec 31, 1867 he resigned and returned to Crawfordsville. Since this his time has been mostly consumed in superintending his 200-acre farm six miles south of this city, and west of Whitesville. Mr. Epperson was first married to Eleanor C. Selders in Tippecanoe County. They became the parents of 8 children, Mary E; W. D; Rebecca A; Flora M; Sarah A; Richard H and Emma J. Jan 1, 1871, Mr. Epperson was again married, to Mrs. Catherine Aspinwall, at Warsaw, Ind. Mr. Epperson was a Universalist in faith. He was a member of Crawfordsville Masonic Lodge, having joined that order in 1857. He was also an Odd Fellow. The funeral services were held at the home place on Wednesday at 10 o'clock by Rev. EB Thomson, pastor of Center Presbyterian Church. In spite of the terrible conditions of the roads the funeral was largely attended. The Masonic Lodge met the procession at the edge of the city and escorted it to Oak Hill. -- kbz