Eppard, Edward

EPPARD, HUFF, VOGELSANG

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 5/23/2009 at 20:40:59

History of Hamilton County Iowa,1912, Vol.II p.87

EDWARD L. EPPARD

Edward L. Eppard was born on section sixteen, Liberty township, Hamilton County, Iowa, on April 15, 1874, grew to manhood there and has followed farming since the beginning of his active career. He has his tract of land highly improved and intelligently developed, and has achieved his prosperity by earnest work along progressive lines. He is a son of George W. and Emily E. (Huff) Eppard. His father was born in Miami County, Indiana. He enlisted in the Union army for service in the Civil war as member of Company K, One Hundred and First Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and after three years received an honorable discharge. He returned to Indiana and resided in various parts of the state until 1873. In that year he moved to his farm, one hundred and sixty acres of land in Hamilton County, Iowa, which he had purchased in 1869. At the time he removed to this farm the county was all an unbroken range and the conditions of living were extremely primitive. He broke the soil, improved, developed and cultivated his property, and was numbered among the successful pioneers. He resided here until his death which occurred in Liberty township, in January, 1897. The mother of our subject was in her maidenhood Miss Emily E. Huff, and was born in Wabash County, Indiana. She and her husband became the parents of four children, three of whom are still living: Edward L., the subject of this sketch; J. W., of Liberty township; and Edith M., who is residing with her brother upon his farm.

Edward Eppard attended the district schools of Hamilton County and later took a commercial course in Jewell College. He supplemented this by a few years' attendance at Ellsworth College, and since laying aside his books has followed farming. He is now residing upon his father's homestead which is one of the best improved farms in Liberty township. His place is equipped with large barns and granaries which have replaced the original structures. Mr. Eppard has just removed one of the first buildings which his father erected. His residence which he built a few years ago is one of the commodious, substantial and beautiful homes in Hamilton County. Mr. Eppard's success has been achieved by diligence and industry and he now owns one hundred and sixty acres of the most fertile and productive land in Iowa.

On December 20, 1911, Mr. Eppard was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Vogelsang, who was born in Arlington, Fayette County, Iowa, January 29, 1886. She attended the public schools of her native district and grew to womanhood there.

In his political views Mr. Eppard is a consistent republican, and his influence is weighty in the affairs of local organizations. He has been township assessor for six years and made a record for ability and efficiency as a public official. He has been for the past ten years a member of the republican county central committee. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, holding his membership in Blairsburg, and is a director of the Webster County Mutual Insurance Association. He studies farming in all its different phases and has been successful from the beginning because of his personal efficiency. He is ranked among the enterprising and substantial citizens of his district, and his activities are regarded as a valuable influence in agricultural development.