Epler Family
Peter Epler was born in Northumberland County, Pa., in 1804. His ancestors were of German origin, but the time of their advent into the United States is not known to us. After arriving at his majority he came westward and stopped for a time in Muskingum County, Ohio. It was here in the year 1830 that he married Miss Rachel Ward, who was born in Muskingum County in 1814. Shortly after marriage Mr. Epler came to Shelby County and entered eighty acres of land in Perry Township. In 1831 he brought his wife and one child to this land. They first moved into a house belonging to Mr. Maxwell, until they could clear a spot of ground and erect a cabin. When they landed in Shelby County they did not have five dollars in money left. They worked by day’s work to get provisions to live on. Mr. Epler cut and split rails at twenty-five cents per hundred; Mrs. Epler working out in the clearing, picking brush and helping to roll logs in order to make themselves a home. Their life in the woods was like that of all early settlers who had no means of support but their willing hands. The rifle never had any charms to him; his time was all spent in clearing his farm. They reared a family of nine children, viz., Jacob, born 1830; Elizabeth, born 1833; Thompson, born 1834; Benjamin C., born 1838; Maria, born 1840; Newton, born 1842; Lucinda, born 1845; Mary D., born 1847; and Martha, born 1851. After making for himself a comfortable home, Mr. Epler passed away from this life in 1861.
Jacob Epler, the eldest son of Peter Epler, wa born in Muskingum County, O., Aug. 2, 1830, consequently was only a few months old when brought to Shelby County. He was reared on the farm and made that his business through life until 1875, when he, together with his brother Thompson, bought a steam saw-mill in Tileton, which they have run successfully since that time. In 1864 he entered the military service of the United States and served the time of his enlistment. In 1877 he married Sarah J. Hill, of Logan County, O.
Benjamin C. Epler, the third son of Peter Epler, was born in Shelby County in 1838. He too, like his brother, was reared on the farm, but after arriving at manhood he learned the blacksmith trade, which he has followed since that time, making for himself and wife a fine home, all hammered out on his anvil. In 1876 he married Miss Nellie Drake. Mr. Epler, by his industrious and honorable life, has the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, who have elected him treasurer of his township seven. years.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883