Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Epperson, F. M. 1841 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 September 14, 2015, 12:05 pm

Source: See Below
Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher

F. M. EPPERSON.
F. M. Epperson, cashier of the Manning & Epperson State Bank at Eddyville,
figures prominently in business circles in Wapello county, and he is equally
well known in public connections, having been called upon to fill various
offices of honor and trust, the duties of which he has faithfully discharged. He
was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, November 14, 1841, a son of Anderson
Epperson, whose birth occurred in eastern Tennessee in 1814 and who died in
Pulaski county, Kentucky, in 1881. He made farming his life work and thus
provided for his family, which numbered seven children, although F. M. Epperson
is the only one now living. The mother bore the maiden name of Lockie Coomer and
was a native of Virginia, but, as indicated, the family resided for a number of
years in Pulaski county, Kentucky, where she passed away in 1853.

F. M. Epperson pursued his education in the public and select schools at Mill
Springs, Kentucky. After his mother's death, which occurred when he was but
twelve years of age, he made his home with friends. Later he took up farming in
Kentucky, where he resided until February, 1861, when he came to Iowa, settling
on a farm in Marion county. The following year, however, he put aside all
business and personal considerations to respond to his country's call for
troops, enlisting as a member of Company D, Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry. He was
in the army for three years and for ten months was held as a prisoner of war at
Tyler, Texas. He participated in all of the engagements in which his regiment
took part, including many hotly contested battles, and was mustered out August
24, 1865, some months after the actual close of hostilities, returning to his
home with a most creditable military record of which he has every reason to be
proud.

When F. M. Epperson put aside the nation's blue uniform for civilian's dress and
resumed the duties of private life he came to Eddyville, where he engaged in
clerking in a wholesale grocery house for two years. He then accepted a clerical
position in a dry-goods establishment, in which he was employed for two years,
and in 1871 he formed a partnership with Edwin Manning for the conduct of a
general mercantile establishment. That relation was maintained until Mr.
Manning's death. In 1902 the Manning & Epperson State Bank was organized and
incorporated although since 1878 the firm had been engaged in the banking
business in connection with their mercantile interests. Mr. Epperson has since
been identified with the banking business, a period of thirty-six years, and at
the present writing is cashier of the bank, which is one of the most substantial
institutions of this part of the state. He is thoroughly acquainted with every
branch of the banking business, and his enterprise and progressiveness, tempered
with a safe conservatism, have been the salient features in his prosperity.

Not alone in business lines has Mr. Epperson figured prominently but also as a
leader in public connections. He has been mayor of the city, a member of the
city council and city treasurer, and in 1879 he was elected to represent his
district in the general assembly, where he made such a creditable record that he
was reelected in 1881. He was again chosen to that office in 1904, when he
became a member of the thirty-first general assembly, and while in the house he
took an active part in shaping important state legislation, seeking ever the
welfare and upbuilding of the state and the advancement of the best interests of
the commonwealth. For the past thirty-eight years he has been treasurer of the
independent school district.

On the 8th of June, 1875, Mr. Epperson was united in marriage to Miss Louise
O'Hara, who was born in Wisconsin, July 7, 1852, a daughter of Samuel and Louise
(Mayhan) O'Hara, both of whom are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Epperson have
been born three sons: Frank, who is now vice president of the bank; Elbert M.,
an engineer on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; and Arthur B., who is principal
of the high school in Albia.

Mr. Epperson and his family attend the Congregational church, in which the
parents hold membership. His political support has always been given to the
republican party, and with firm belief in its principles he has never faltered
in his allegiance thereto. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has
attained the Knight Templar degree, and has also crossed the sands of the desert
with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Knights of
Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has been treasurer of the
Workmen lodge and of the Masonic lodge and in fact has held all of the chairs in
the local Masonic organization. His life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of
the craft, which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. His
salient traits of character are those which win commendation, and his good deeds
have been many, while his worth is acknowledged by all with whom he comes in
contact. To know Mr. Epperson is to esteem and honor him and he has a wide
acquaintance in this county and throughout the state, where he has lived
continuously for more than forty-eight years.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914


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