Harry Leonard EPPERSON^{[1, 2]}

1893 - 1976  (82 years)

• Name	Harry Leonard EPPERSON
  Birth	12 Jul 1893	Hurdland, Knox, Missouri, United States   [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
  Gender	Male
  FamilySearch ID	277X-4BS
  Death	3 Jan 1976	Hurdland, Knox, Missouri   [4, 5, 8, 10]
  Burial	6 Jan 1976	I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Hurdland, Knox, Missouri, United States   [5, 10]
  Notes	Sources: Social Security Death Index for birth and death dates. SS Number: 486-42-0575 Farmer/Postmaster. Described as kind and respected with a keen sense of humor. LAND: Historic Inventory, Office of Historic Preservation, PO box 176, Jefferson City, MO, 65101, No. S-13; NOTE: b. 1893, continued framr after death of father. he was the last of the Eppersons to live there. Following his death, the house was rented awhile. It was purchased in 1970 by James and Dorothy Gonnerman, until 1980. It has been vacant since. Leonard, the youngest of 4 sons, stayed on the farm with his father and after the death of James M. Epperson, he and wife, Elta, bought out all of the other heirs plus and additional 120 acres, making a total of 514 acres in the farm. During the spring of 1935 Leonard suffered a severe attack of rheumatoid arthritis...had to hire most of the work done that year. Leonard was appointed Postmaster of the Hurdland, MO post office in the spring of 1937. He continued to operate the farm, while postmaster, by getting young farmers to go into partnerships. He started several young farmers into the business, until the farm was sold, fall 1969, to a young neighbor family. Leonard was a regular attending and loyal member of the Primitive Baptist Church. Letter from Dora Ella & V.J. Miget, dated 1/15/76: Dear Jo & Jim: Your letter came yesterday, so I tossed out the letter I had started a few days ago. We are sorry to hear about Mr. Epperson's death. All who knew him will surely miss him. He was the sort of man who walked softly but left big footprints; spoke softly, but you remembered what he said. Many times there is a great man living among us, yet we don't realize he is great until he is gone. We take them for granted, when they are close to us. Some are een referred to as "mild-mannered" when indeed, they are "well-mannered". Because they do not talk loud and show off, we think people are not paying attention. How many times we have known, seen and heard a bigot make people feel bad or small with his bragging. He tries to have the floor and be the center of attraction. When he walked away, do you remember what he said: If so, had it added anything to your life? There are those kind..... Then there are the Mr. Epperson's. I remember how his eyes twinkled when he told a story, then little wrinkles around his eyes grew deeper as he smiled; which he did often. I remember how he spoke about the land as if he were very close to i; and how he spoke about the livestock as if they were his friends. Somehow one had visions of rolling hills covered in green grass, which rippled as the soft breezes blew by; about a blue sky with a few puffy clouds rolling across the face of a brilliant sun. He spoke of the ponds, the streams, the lakes where he loved to fish. * Dora Ella has confused this with the way your grandfather loved to relate the stories you boys and your Dad brought back from your fishing trips. He loved your three boys dearly, for he spoke of them with such pride and devotion. Sometimes he told talkes on them, teasing them abou ttheir short-comings, but he still spoke with respect and love. He was so delighted when a few small fish were caught; he was pleased when the boys pitched in to help clean them. He told us of a story once after one of the fishing trips aobut the "big one who got away". One of the boys had stepped in the stream duirng the escitement, and they tried to get him dried out before thye got home. The water was shallow, and there was no danger; but it's not easy to explain those things to parents, expecially a mother. He didn't want the boy scolded because they had had such a great day. How do you remember these things: Because when Mr. Epperson spoke he had something to say. And people listened and learned from him. All our lives have been touched in some way by him. He had great wisdom about many things. I remember, too, the great game of bridge he played; he taught me many things about the game, sometimes without realizing it. he loved people, loved children, and he loved babies. Do you remember how taken he was with Karen? He held her and called her a "beautiful little lady:. Of course, I agreed. Remember him? Oh! Yes, with great affection! Miss him? All of you will. Noone will ever take his place or begin to fill the void. Grieve for him? No! Never! He would have all of you standing together, loving each other and caring for each other, and enjoying the wealth of wonderful memories he has left for you all.
  Person ID	I2877	Main
  Last Modified	10 May 2020

  
  

  Father	James Money EPPERSON,   b. 10 Apr 1849, , Putnam, Missouri d. 20 Aug 1926, La Plata, Macon, Missouri, United States (Age 77 years)
  Mother	Mary Ellen HILL,   b. 17 Feb 1859, Shelton, Knox, Missouri d. 4 Apr 1923, Hurdland, Knox, Missouri (Age 64 years)
  Marriage	11 Mar 1880	Knox, Missouri, United States
  Family ID	F476	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Elta Leona WOODS,   b. 5 Jun 1893, Brashear, Adair, Missouri, United States d. 3 Nov 1992, Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri, United States (Age 99 years)
  Marriage	17 Dec 1918	Macon, Missouri, United States   [7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13]
  Children	1. James Money EPPERSON,   b. 14 Nov 1919, Hurdland, Knox, Missouri d. 28 Oct 2001, Aurora, Lawrence, Missouri, United States (Age 81 years)   2. LIVING   3. Miriam Ida EPPERSON,   b. 6 Dec 1924, Hurdland, Knox, Missouri d. 30 May 1983, Kirksville, Adair, Missouri (Age 58 years)
  Family ID	F474	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	7 Apr 2024

  
  

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• Sources

  [S4] United States. Bureau of the Census. 14th census, 1920, Census: 1920 US Federal, Missouri, (Washington [District of Columbia] : The National Archives, [193-?]), Vol 32, ED 51, Sheet 4, line 96, FHJS US/CAN Census Area 1820902 - 1820966. [S14] Linda Harper, HPS, Historic Inventory, (October 1982). [S4] United States. Bureau of the Census. 14th census, 1920, Census: 1920 US Federal, Missouri, (Washington [District of Columbia] : The National Archives, [193-?]), Vol 32, ED 51, Sheet 4, Line 96, FHJS US/CAN Census Area 1820902 - 1820966. Line 96: Epperson, Leonard, male, white, 26 yrs, married, can read and write, b MO. Father and mother born in MO. Occupation: general farmer, farm schedule 90. Epperson, Elta, female, white, 26 yrs, married, can read and write, b MO. Father born in PA, mother born in MO. Epperson, James, male, white, single, 1/6 yrs, b MO Shelton Township [S5] Money, Harold S., James Money, Kentucky pioneer : descendants and related families, the money tree, (Lexington, Ky. : H.S. Money, 1983), p205, JSMB US/CAN Book 929.273 M746m. [S6] Funeral Announcement. In Memory of Harry Leonard Epperson, Born July 12, 1983; Entered Into Rest January 3, 1976. Funeral Services: Hudson-Rimer Funeral Chapel - Edina, Tuesday, January 6, 1976 - 1:30 p.m. Interment I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Hurdland, MO. [S7] United States. Census Office. 12th census, 1900, Census: 1900 US Federal, Missouri, (Washington, District of Columbia : The National Archives, [19--?]), ED 45, Sheet 10, Line 40-47, FHL US/CAN Census Area 1240836 -1240908. Dwelling #201, Famility #202 Epperson, James M, head, whie, male, b. apr 1849, married 20 yrs., born in MO, parents born in KY, farmer, owned land with mortgage, #214 of farm schedule. " Mary, wife, white, female, b. feb 1859, married 20 yrs., had 7 children, 6 living, born in MO, parents born in KY " Walter H, son, white, male, b mar 1881, single, born in MO " Green, son, white, male, b jul 1883, single, born in MO " John O, son, white, male, b mar 1887, single, born in MO " Lucy E, daughter, white, femalie, b aug 1889, single, born in MO " Leonard H, son, white, male, b july 1893, single, born in MO " Ema E, daughter, white, femaile, b apr 1896, single born in MO [S8] Bible of J.M.Epperson. [S9] unknown, John Epperson (Father of Barnett Epperson). [S10] Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Epperson, (unknown newspaper (possibly Lodge newsletter), 24 July 1974). Thirty-eight persons gathered at the Hurdland IOOF Lodge Hall Friday night, July 12, to honor Leonard Epperson on his birthday. A carry-in supper was enjoyed. Leonard told a part of his life story. He was born 81 years ago on a farm south of Hurdland and was one of the youngest of six children. He was married in 1918 and he an dMrs. Epperson have three children, seven grand-children and six great-grand-children. He moved his family to Hurdland in 1934 and that fall he joined the Rebakah Lodge. One reason he joined was because of what the Rebekahs did in helping the Medsker family after the loss of a parent. Leonard was postmaster at Hurdland 29 yeras. The Hurldand Rebekah Lodsge was happy to present a small gift to a 40-year member on his birthday. [S11] Obituary, Harry Leonard Epperson, (unknown newspaper, 7 Jan 1976). Harry Leonard Epperson, 82, lifelong resident of the Hurdland community and a retired postmaster of there, died at 2:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon, Jan. 3, 1976, at the Manor Care Center in Kirksville where he had been since Nov. 11, 1975. Funeral services were at 1:30 o'clcok Tuesday afternoon at the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Chapel in Edina with Elder Clyde O. Johnson of Green Castle officiating. Burila was in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery at Hurdland. Hurdland Lodge No.396 I.O.O.F. conducted services Monday evening at the Chapel. He is survived by his wife, a son, James Money Epperson, of Kirksville, two daughters, Mrs. Virginia Campbell of Kansas City and Mrs. Miriam Golden of Kirksville, seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. Lucy Tobey and Mrs. Amma Botts, both of Kirksville. Mr. Eppreson was born July 12, 1893, at Hurdland, a son of James Money and Mary Ellen Hill Epperson, and was married Dec. 17, 1918, to Elta Woods. He was a member of the Mt. Tabor Primitive Baptist Church, the above mentioned lodge, and the REbekah Lodge No. 119, also of Hurdland. Mr. Epperson served as postmaster of Hurdland for 29 years, had served anumber of years as clerk of the Town Board, clerk of Hurdland School Board and was active in all community affairs. He had also farmed in Knox County. He was preceded in death by his parents, a great-grandson, three brothers, John O. Epperson, G. Roy Epperson and Walter H. Epperson, and a sister in infancy. [S5] Money, Harold S., James Money, Kentucky pioneer : descendants and related families, the money tree, (Lexington, Ky. : H.S. Money, 1983), p207, JSMB US/CAN Book 929.273 M746m. [S30] Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Epperson, (unknown newspaper, 12 Dec 1968). Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Epperson will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary at their home in Hurdland Sunday afternoon, Dec. 22, 198, with open house from 2 to 5 o'clcok. Friends and relatives are invited to call. The request no gifts. On Dec. 17, 1918, Mr. Epperson and the former Elta Woods of Gibbs were united in marriae by Elder G.E. Edwards at his home in Macon. They lived on the family farm south of Hurdland until 1934 when they moved to Hurdland where Mr. Epperson served as postmaster until his retirement five years ago. The Epperson's son, James M. Epperson, of Farmington and daughters, Mrs. Virginia Campbell of Indianapolis, Ind., and Miriam, Mrs. George J. Golden, of Kirksville, are helping with plans for the celebration. Their families, which include seven grand-children and two great-grandchildren, will also be present on the occasion honoring their 50th anniversary. [S15] Obituary, Elta L. Epperson, (unknown newspaper, 11 Nov 1992). Elta L. Epperson, 99, of Kansas City, formerly of Hurdland, died Tuesday, November 3, 1992, in the Carondelet Manor in Kansas City. Services were held at 1 p.m. Friday, November 6, 1992, in the Hudson-Rimer Park View Chapel in Kirksville. The Rev. Stan EAst officiated the services. Burial was in the IOOF Cemetery at Hurdland. Music was provided by the Mt. Tabor Primitive Baptist Church. She was born on June 5, 1893, in the Gibbs area, the daughter of Chester and Margaret Sleeth Woods. On December 17, 1918, she married Harry Leonard Epperson and he preceded her in death on January 3, 1976. Also preceding her in death were her parents; one daughter, Miriam Ida Golden; two sisters, Edna Vandiver and Mae Thomas; one brother, Wylie Woods, and one great-grandson, Jay Patrick Collins. Elta is survived by one son, James M. Epperson and his wife Josephine of Aurora; one daughter, Virginia L. Campbell of Kansas City; seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Elta grew up on a farm east of Gibbs and attended Gopher Hill School and the Kirksville State Teachers College. She was a housewife and homemaker and had spent most all of her life in the Hurdland community where she and her husband were engaged in farming. Elta was a member of teh Rebacca Lodge and Priscilla Club of Hurdland and the Order of the Eastern Star Matilda Chapter #41 of Edina. She attended the Mt. Tabor Primitive Baptist Church and in later years the First Christian Church in Kirksville. Pallbearers were Alvin Henderson, Earl Spencer, Jim Gonnerman, John Gonnerman, Joe Muir and Robert Poore.