PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM
pg 297, 298
ADAM L. EPPLEY, a peaceable and law-abiding citizen, has been for some time variously engaged in the city of Springfield and stands well in his community. He was born April 18, 1858, in Yellow Springs Township, Greene County, this State, and is the son of John D. EPPLEY, a native of Logan County. The latter was born in 1827, and was the son of Adam EPPLEY, a native of Pennsylvania, whose father was an ironworker at Pittsburg during the infancy of this industry in the United States, and spent his last years in the “smoky city” when it was a town of very little importance. He died in the prime of life, when his son Adam was but a child, and the latter was reared by his uncle, John NIER.
When seven years old Adam EPPLEY was brought to Ohio, the journey being made overland with teams, and prior to the War of 1812. He lived with his uncle a few years in Logan County, then removed to Clark County, and resided with Peter SINTZ, one of its first settlers. Then returning east, he served an apprenticeship at the miller’s trade in Rockingham County, Va. There also he secured a life partner—Miss Rebecca DURR. He returned to Ohio about 1824 and settled in Logan County, but subsequently removed to Springfield. We next find him in Montgomery County, where he resided about three years. He then returned to Clark County and rented a farm in Green Township. Upon this he lived a few years, then sold and purchased another farm in the same township, upon which he built a brick house and made other improvements. After three years he sold this also, and purchased a farm in Mad River Township. A three years’ residence there seemed sufficient for that locality, and selling out again, he removed to Kalamazoo County, Mich. Three years later he returned to Ohio, and thereafter resided in Greene, Darke and Clark Counties. He spent his last years in Springfield with his daughter, Mrs. Mahlon KERSHNER. He died in the Center Street Methodist Church, when about seventy-seven years old.
John D. EPPLEY, the father of our subject, remained a resident of his native county until after his marriage, and then purchased a tract of land in Green Township, Clark County, where he resided about five years. He then sold out and went to Iowa, where he sojourned a few months, then returning purchased land near Yellow Springs, Greene County, where he resided about four years. Afterward he operated on rented land for a time, then purchased land in Mad River Township, but a year later sold this and bought a farm two miles southwest of Springfield. He engaged in general agriculture, also in dairying, and in 1873 opened a stone-quarry, which he operated in connection with farming. He resided there until his death, which occurred in February, 1885.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Elizabeth SAYRE. She was born in Mad River Township, and was the daughter of Lloyd SAYRE, one of its earliest pioneers. She only survived her husband eighteen days. Adam L., of this sketch, was their only child. He was reared on the farm, and educated in the common schools and remained with his parents until they no longer needed his filial offices. He resided on the farm about one year after the death of his parents, then removed to Springfield. He was married July 1, 1880, to Miss Nora M. Patton. Mrs. EPPLEY was born near Enon, Clark County, and is a daughter of William PATTON, who was a native of Ohio, and who settled in this county during its pioneer days. Her mother is deceased. Politically, our subject is a stanch Republican.
transcribed by Deborah Brownfield Stanley