HW Beckwith History of Montgomery County, Indiana (Chicago: HH Hill, 1881)

HON. RICHARD EPPERSON

Hon. Richard Epperson, farmer and contractor, Crawfordsville. Among the most prominent of the many names mentioned in the history of Mont. Co. may be mentioned Hon. Richard Epperson, an affable, hospitable, gentleman and for many years one of the foremost contractors of In. His father, Daniel Epperson, was b. in Lunenburrg Co VA on a farm. Here his youth was spent at hard work, save a few weeks in the district school each winter. At the age of 21 he became an apprentice to his brother, Daniel to learn the blacksmith trade. At this trade he was a constant worker in connection with the farm until his 50th year. Dec 25, 1830, he reached Hamilton Co Ohio and located near Mt. Pleasant where he followed farming until Oct 1836 at which time he started for Mont. Co in reaching Crawfordsville Oct 18, where he resided until his death, Jan 13 1853. In 1802 he married Susanna Mathews of Lunenburg co Va and became the father of 12 children 8 of whom are now living. Mr. Epperson was a wide and constant reader, keeping well posted upon current matters as well as studying carefully the history of his country and was universally acknowledged as a superior man. His son, Richard Epperson, was b. May 15, 1818 on a farm in Lunenburg Co. 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 upon a farm by the month, for about a year and a half. In April 1841 he began a new life, that of apprentice to his brother, William, to learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner, in the city of Crawfordsville. After learning his trade, which occupied about two years, he followed life as journeyman carpenter until 1848, when he formed a partnership with his bro. and former instructor, which lasted until 1857. Upon the 9th of April of this year he moved to his present 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 to the duties devolving upon a legislator, as was also the following spring at the extra session. June 2, 1861, he received an appointment from the board of directors as the superintendent of the northern prison, which occupied his attention until March 11, 1863 when he again understood general contracting. April 3, 1865, he was appointed architect and gen. superintendent of the same prison at Michigan City. At the expiration of his term of 2 years, he was reappointed and served with credit to himself with honor to his state and to the satisfaction of all parties until the date of his resignation, Dec 31, 1867. Upon his ret. to C'ville he immediately engaged himself in contracting, which called him to be employed upon many of the substantial buildings of the state. Since 1873 his time has been mostly consumed in supt. his 200-acre farm situated six miles southeast of C'ville and W. of Whitesville. Mr. Epperson was first marr. to Eleanor C. Selders in Tippecanoe Co, second d/o Abraham and Mary (Campbell) Selders. She was b. July 29, 1819 and d. Dec 14, 1869 and was bur in the Masonic Graveyard in C'ville. They became the parents of 8 children, 7 of whom are living: Susan C; Mary E; William D; Rebecca A; Flora M; Sarah A; Richard H and Emma P. Jan 1, 1871 Mr. E. marr. in Warsaw IN Mrs. Catharine Aspinwall d/o Adam and Marg. Woods and the widow of Joseph Aspinwall. She was b. Sept 6, 1869 and is the mother of two children: Joseph Aspinwall, a member of the class of 1880 and a grad. of Wabash College who is now in Indianapolis preparing himself for the practice of medicine and Margare Aspinwall, who is still living at home. Mr. E. is a Universalist in faith while his wife is a member of the Presby. Church, his first wife being a Calvinistic Baptist. He is a member of the C'ville Masonic Lodge, having joined that order in 1857, and has taken every degree save the last. he is also an Odd Fellow joining the order in C'ville in June 1848. Mr. E. was a Democrat until 1856, casting his first presidential vote in 1840 for Martin Van Buren. He is now an earnest supporter and an unflinching defender of the principles of the Republic Party.

Submitted by: Karen Zach

County Coordinator: Suzy Sprague suzyq.wa@worldnet.att.net