Biography - ELBERT EPLER
One of the most conspicuous of the younger generation in Edwards county,
is the popular gentleman whose name introduces this article. For several
years past Elbert Epler has been actively identified with the business and
industrial interests of Albion and vicinity, as a capitalist and grain and
live stock dealer. His useful career has conferred credit upon the community
and his marked abilities and stirring qualities have won for him more than
local repute, and today he holds distinctive precedence as a progressive and
successful man who has inaugurated and carried to successful termination
large and important undertakings.
Mr. Epler was born November 3, 1878, on a farm in the vicinity of Mt.
Carmel, in Wabash county, the son of S. F. Epler, who was born in 1849, in
the state of Pennsylvania. The subject's grandfather, Daniel Epler, was born
in Germany and immigrated to Illinois about the year 1861, settling on a
farm in Wabash county. S. F. Epler resided in Wabash county until 1882, when
he went to Colorado and for three years lived upon a ranch. In 1885 he
returned to Belmont, Wabash county and there lived for fifteen years, and in
1900 he came to Albion, where he embarked in the grain and seed business. He
is now retired and spends his winters in California, thus enjoying in both
sections of the United States their most attractive offerings in the way of
climate. He married Acnith Mundy, daughter of William Mundy, of Wabash
county, and her demise occurred in 1908. The elder Mr. Epler and his
admirable wife reared the following five children: Elbert, eldest in point
of nativity; Effie and Goley, who are still at home; Jessie, wife of Mr.
Moffit, of Cloverdale, Indiana; and Melvin, at home.
To the public schools of Albion is Elbert Epler indebted for his preliminary
education and after finishing their curriculum he became a student in the
Southern Collegiate Institute, where he took a deeper draught at the Pierian
Spring. At the age of twenty years he tried his wings as a business man and
engaged in the grocery business, with which he continued to be connected
until January 1, 1912, when he disposed of his interests in this line. He
did not confine his operations to the one field, but for the most of this
period was also identified with the grain and seed business, in which his
father had found success.
In March, 1909, Mr. Epler formed a partnership with L. W. Wilson in the live
stock and grain business, in which they are associated at the present time.
They own two excellent farms in partnership, on which they raise stock, one
of these consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, being located in Wabash
county and the other of ninety acres, being in Edwards county. The firm of
Epler & Wilson purchased the Leader Department store in 1911, but disposed
of it at the beginning of 1912.
Mr. Epler is director in the Albion Vitrified Brick Company and is the
largest stockholder in the same. He is also director and the treasurer of
the Albion Shale Brick Company, a $200,000 corporation. Nor does that
complete the list of important enterprises with which he is identified, for
he is a director and the president of the Albion Electric Light & Gas
Company, which was organized in 1911, with a capital of $20,000, and is now
in successful operation, supplying light service to the city's business
houses and residences. He has several times been asked to accept local
office and is at present city alderman. He is a Republican, having loyally
endorsed the policies and principles for which the "Grand Old Party" stands
sponsor for as many years as he has been of age sufficient to exercise the
right of voting. His lodge affiliations are with the Benevolent & Protective
Order of Elks of Mt. Carmel and the Modern Woodmen of Albion. He and his
wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
In 1903 Mr. Epler was happily married, the lady of his choice being Ada
Painter, of Albion, daughter of Washington Painter, one of Albion's old
resident and a merchant in calling. Mr. Epler and his wife have three
children, namely: Elbert, Jr., aged eight years; and twin daughters, named
Mary Adeline and Margaret Ruth, born in September, 1908.
Mr. Epler is active in Republican politics and is of that excellent type of
citizenship known as the "boosters," and as a progressive citizen, he is
doing much to push Albion to the front.
Extracted 11 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from 1912 History of Southern Illinois, by George W. Smith, volume 3, pages 1659-1661.
