In 1910, Finis Jerome is the youngest child in a blended family household with his step-siblings, children of Emma Victoria Reeves from a previous marriage. 1910 Federal Census, Bandera County, Texas, 20 April, Justice Precinct 6, District 13, page ?, Hse #43, Fam #45 Epperson, M B Head M W 42 2nd Marriage (# of years not stated) AR TN AL Farm[er] Rents Epperson, Emma V Wife F W 44 2nd Marriage, married 25 years Borne 8 children, 6 living AR GA GA Epperson, Troy Son M W 20 AR AR AR Farm Laborer Epperson, Mitchel (?) Son M W 14 AR AR AR Farm Laborer Epperson, Opal Son M W 11 AR AR AR Epperson, Finis Son M W 4 AR AR AR Reeves, Walter [Step]son M W 21 AR AR AR Farm[er] Reeves, Grover [Step]son M W 17 AR AR AR Farm Laborer Reeves, Myrtle [Step]daughter F W 11 AR AR AR The marriage information tells us the Matthew and Emma were both married before, and that they have been married for 25 years. But the Reeves surname of the last three children tells us that they are Emma's children from her first husband. The youngest, Myrtle (Ruth in 1920) was only 11, so was born about 1899. Thus Matthew and she would have married after that time. So Finis is the only one of the Epperson children who might be her child. It is more likely, due to her age, that his mother is the first wife of Matthew. I have not been able to find information on either marriage or spouse's name for either Matthew or Emma Victoria. 1920 Federal Census, Gonzales County, Texas, 2 January, Justice Precinct 5, District 94, page 1A, Wrightsboro St, Hse/Fam #1 Epperson, Matthew B Head Rents M W 57 AR TN AL Minister, Group of Churches Epperson, Emma V Wife F W 53 AR GA GA Epperson, Finis J Son M W 14 AR AR AR Reeves, Ruth Stepdaughter F W 21 AR NY AR Teacher The Epperson are the first family enumerated in their District. The census page also indicates that Matthew is the enumerator for this census. One step-sibling is still in the household with Finis. Here Ruth corresponds to Myrtle in the 1910 census. This leads me to conclude that her full name was Myrtle Ruth. Finis married in 1925. Texas, Select County Marriage Index, 1837-1965 F J Epperson Spouse Jessie Downs Marriage 10 Aug 1925 Johnson, Texas, United States In 1930 Finis and his wife Jessie Elizabeth Downs were living in Johnson County, Texas, near Cleburne. Finis' father Matthew was now living in his household. Finis' mother died in 1929. 1930 Federal Census, Johnson County, Texas, 24 April, Justice Precinct 1, District 4, page 15B, Grand Avenue, Hse #232, Fam #244 Epperson, Finis J Head M W 24 married at age 18 [abt 1926] AR AR AR Clerk, Steam Railway Epperson, Jessie E Wife F W 22 married at age 17 [abt 1925] TX TX TX Epperson, Finis A Son M W 3yrs 10mos TX AR TX Epperson, Mathew W Father M W 67 Widower TX AR TX U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 Cleburne, Texas, City Directory, 1949, p 244 Epperson Finis J (Jessie) mech SF RR h 223 W Willingham Phone #981J Epperson James T (Kathryn E) mgr White Auto Store h 308 N Granbury Phone #1125J U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 Cleburne, Texas, City Directory, 1957, p 353 Epperson Finis J (Jessie) mach [mech ?] Santa Fe Ry h 223 E Willingham Phone #5-4945 Epperson J Troy (Trudie) sr clk Santa Fe Ry h 111 E Willingham Phone #5-4590 Epperson J Troy Jr (Kathryn) Co[unty] Aud[itor] h 401 N Anglin Phone #5-8529 Epperson Kathryn (Mrs J T Jr) dep co[unty] clk h 401 N Anglin Phone #5-8529 Texas, Death Certificates, 1903-1982 Finis Jerome Epperson Age 76, Occupation Retired Machinist for Santa Fe Railroad Birth 1 January 1906 Arkansas Residence 414 W Wilson St, Cleburne, Johnson, Texas, USA Father Matthew B Epperson Mother Emma Victoria Holloman Informant and Spouse Jessie Downs Death 28 August 1982 Johnson County Memorial hospital, Cleburne, Johnson, Texas, USA Cause of Death Cardiac Arrest, due to Cardiac Arrhythmia, due to Arteriosclerosis Cardiovascular Heart Disease with Mitral Regurgitation, Ventrial Hypertension, Aseptic Microsis Left Hip Burial 30 August 1982 Cleburne Memorial Cemetery, Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas, by Crosier-Pearson Funeral Home Certificate #75028 filed 10 September 1982 The Cleburne (Johnson County), Texas Memorial Cemetery registry lists Finis Jerome and his wife, and his parents, in Block 54. Epperson, Emma Victoria Mar. 04, 1866 Aug. 02, 1929 B 54 L 4 Epperson, Matthew Bradley Nov. 05, 1862 May 31, 1954 B 54 L 4 Epperson, Finis J Jan. 01, 1906 Aug. 28, 1982 B 54 L 4 Epperson, Jessie E Jan. 28, 1908 Sept. 21, 1996 B 54 L 4 -- Cleburne Cemetery, http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txjohnso/cemeteries/cleburnemem54.html
1920 Federal Census, Johnson County, Texas, 15 January, Cleburne Ward 2, District 35, page 11A, 1508 North Robinson, Hse #219, Fam #238 Efferson (Epperson), Troy J Head Owns M W 31 Married TX MS GA Railroad Office Clerk Efferson, Trudie Wife F W 24 Married OK AR MS Efferson, T J Son M W 6 TX AR OK Efferson, Dwight Son M W 3yrs1mo TX AR OK 1930 Federal Census, Johnson County, Texas, 24 April, Justice Precinct 1, District 4, page 15B, Grand Avenue, Hse #234, Fam #246 Epperson, James T Head M W 39 married at age 23 [abt 1914] AR AR AR Clerk, Steam Railway Epperson, Trudie Z Wife F W 34 married at age 17 [abt 1913] TX TX TX Epperson, J T Jr (?) Son M W 16 TX AR OK Epperson, Dwight L Son M W 14 TX AR OK U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 Cleburne, Texas, City Directory, 1957, p 353 Epperson Finis J (Jessie) mach [mech ?] Santa Fe Ry h 223 E Willingham Phone #5-4945 Epperson J Troy (Trudie) sr clk Santa Fe Ry h 111 E Willingham Phone #5-4590 Epperson J Troy Jr (Kathryn) Co[unty] Aud[itor] h 401 N Anglin Phone #5-8529 Epperson Kathryn (Mrs J T Jr) dep co[unty] clk h 401 N Anglin Phone #5-8529 J T's obituary was posted by family genealogist Jimmy Epperson. The obituary reports no place or date of burial. From the heading Jimmy provides, I assume the bural was on the date of the memorial service reported in the obituary, 30 December 1967, two days after his death. ------------------------------- James Troy Epperson Obituary James Troy Epperson Memorial Service First Baptist Church, Cleburne, Texas December 30, 1967 James Troy Epperson, son of the Rev. Matthew B. and Sarah Elizabeth Douglas Epperson, was born July 17, 1889 in Navada [Nevada] County, near Chiddester, Arkansas. [? Chidester is in Ouachita County, and not very close to the Nevada County border.] He entered "that house not made with hands, eternal in heavens" on Thursday evening, December 28, 1967 at the age of 78 years, 5 months, and 11 days. He spent his boyhood in Arkansas. At the age of 17 his family moved to Tucumcari then a frontier community, in New Mexico, staying there a little less than a year. All who knew Troy will remember the glow on his face and the light in his eyes when he told of the Epperson Family trek from Tucumcari by covered wagon to the community in south Texas, near Lakey. From here Troy "Struck out on his own", as he used to say, and came to Cleburne. On January 4, 1911 he began his employment at the Santa Fe Shops as a machinists' helper and moved up through various positions until at the time of his retirement on July 29, 1960, he was senior managerial clerk. On December 22, 1912 he was united in marriage to Trudie Chapel, who survives him. They had 2 sons, James Troy, Jr. who preceeded him in death on July 3, 1963, and Dwight, now residing in Greenville, S. C. He joined the Anglin Street United Presbyterian Church on April 20, 1913 where he was the fourth oldest active member. In 1924 he was ordained an Elder in the Church and served faithfully throughout his life. At the time of his death he was Financial Secretary of the church and taught the Live Wire Bible Class. As his Pastor and close friend, I have never witnessed a more humble, dependable, and devoted servant of Jesus Christ. Because of the greatness of his heart in love for God and neighbor, Troy gave his life in service. He could say with the Apostle Paul, "I am in debt both to the Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish." His deeds were the proof and the fruit of a fabulous faith in his Lord. He was a charter member of the local Kiwanis Club; of the Cleburne Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons; an alderman on the city council since May, 1959; acted as City Judge when the occasion arose; and was acting Mayor Pro-tem at the time of his passing. There survives him: His widow, Trudie of Cleburne, one son, Dwight of Greenville, S. C., one brother, Finis J. Epperson of Cleburne, one sister, Mrs. Opal Coomer of Snyder, Texas, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and deep and abiding friends without number. -- Epperson Genealogy, http://epperson.eppygen.org/Epperson/JTEObit.htm ------------------------------- ------------------------------- James Troy Epperson, Sr Birth Jul 17, 1889 Arkansas, USA Death Dec 28, 1967 Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, USA Son of Matthew Bradley & Sarah Elizabeth (Douglas) Epperson He was a retired clerk for Santa Fe Railroad, 78 years old, married, and a resident of 404 N. Anglin Street Cleburne, Texas, burial was Dec. 28 1967, Dillon - Emmert was in charge of arrangements Texas Death Certificate # 84945 Parents: Matthew Bradley Epperson (1862 - 1934) Sarah Elizabeth Douglas Epperson (1864 - 1900) Spouse Trudie Zelma Chapel Epperson (1895 - 1984) Son James Troy Epperson (1913 - 1963) Sibling Finis Jerome Epperson (1906 - 1982) Half-sibling Note: Additional info per Weldon Collins. Burial Cleburne Memorial Cemetery, Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas, USA Maintained by Weldon Collins, Originally Created by Trisha Jun 18, 2010 -- Find A Grave Memorial #53850178, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=53850178 -------------------------------
1920 Federal Census, Johnson County, Texas, 15 January, Cleburne Ward 2, District 35, page 11A, 1508 North Robinson, Hse #219, Fam #238 Efferson (Epperson), Troy J Head Owns M W 31 Married TX MS GA Railroad Office Clerk Efferson, Trudie Wife F W 24 Married OK AR MS Efferson, T J Son M W 6 TX AR OK Efferson, Dwight Son M W 3yrs1mo TX AR OK 1930 Federal Census, Johnson County, Texas, 24 April, Justice Precinct 1, District 4, page 15B, Grand Avenue, Hse #234, Fam #246 Epperson, James T Head M W 39 married at age 23 [abt 1914] AR AR AR Clerk, Steam Railway Epperson, Trudie Z Wife F W 34 married at age 17 [abt 1913] TX TX TX Epperson, J T Jr Son M W 16 TX AR OK Epperson, Dwight L Son M W 14 TX AR OK In 1937, James and his brother were both in Lubbock, Texas. He may have been working for the county, since that is his work in various places where he lived later. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 Lubbock, Texas, City Directory, 1937, p 146 Epperson Dwight L (Kathlyn V) (The Collegiate) h 2018 Main Epperson Jas T (The Collegiate) r 2018 Main By 1940, he has moved to Wichita County, Texas, on the Red River, where he is working as an accountant for the county government. He and his wife Kathryn are living with her parents. 1940 Federal Census, Wichita County, Texas, 2 April, Burkburnett, District 243-45, page 61A, Hse #511, Rents $20 Exley, Harry J Head F W 48 Married Grade H4 b Pennsylvania Same place in 1935 Oil Co Superintendent [b abt 1909] Exley, Minnie Wife F W 48 Married Grade C3 b Pennsylvania Same place in 1935 Housework [b abt 1900] Epperson, James T Son-in-law M W 26 Grade C4 b Texas in Cleburne, Texas in 1935 Accounting, County Govt Epperson, Kathryn Dau F W 25 Single Grade H4 b Pennsylvania Same place in 1935 Sec & Cashier, Glass, Paint and Paper Co In 1949. we find them in the Cleburne, Texas, back in his native area, where he is managing a White's Auto Store. At some time later he became an accountant for Johnson County, which was his position when he died. City Directory U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 Cleburne, Texas, City Directory, 1949, p 244 Epperson Finis J (Jessie) mech SF RR h 223 W Willingham Phone #981J Epperson James T (Kathryn E) mgr White Auto Store h 308 N Granbury Phone #1125J By 1957, the city directory reports that James (J Troy) is the county Auditor in Cleburne County. Kathryn has a separate entry giving her professoinal position also, as Deputy County Clerk. His parents and his aunt and uncle are living nearby. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 Cleburne, Texas, City Directory, 1957, p 353 Epperson Finis J (Jessie) mach [mech ?] Santa Fe Ry h 223 E Willingham Phone #5-4945 Epperson J Troy (Trudie) sr clk Santa Fe Ry h 111 E Willingham Phone #5-4590 Epperson J Troy Jr (Kathryn) Co[unty] Aud[itor] h 401 N Anglin Phone #5-8529 Epperson Kathryn (Mrs J T Jr) dep co[unty] clk h 401 N Anglin Phone #5-8529 Texas, Death Certificates, 1903-1982 James Troy Epperson Jr Residence 401 North Anglin Street, Cleburne, Johnson Co TX Occupation County Auditor Birth 14 November 1913 Cleburne, Texas Age at Death 49 Father James Troy Epperson Mother Trudie Chapel Informant Mrs J T Epperson Social Security #450-14-5401 Death 3 July 1963 Johnson County Memorial Hospital, Cleburne, Johnson, Texas Cause of Death Myocardial Infarction, due to Arteriosclerosis Burial 5 July 1963 Cleburne Memorial Cemetery, Cleburne, Texas, by Dillons Funeral Home Registered 8 July 1963 U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current James Epperson BORN 14 Nov 1913 Died Jul 1963 SSN 450-14-5401 issued Texas (Before 1951 James Troy Epperson, Jr Birth Nov 14, 1913 Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas Death Jul 3, 1963 Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas His parents were James Troy and Trudie Chapel Epperson. He was the county auditor, 49 years old, married, and a resident of 401 N Anglin Cleburne, Texas, burial was July 05 1963, informant was Mrs. J T Epperson Jr, Dillon Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Texas Death Certificate # 45605 Parents: James Troy Epperson (1889 - 1967) Trudie Zelma Chapel Epperson (1895 - 1984) Spouse Kathryn L Epperson (1914 - 1995) Burial Cleburne Memorial Cemetery, Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas Maintained by Weldon Collins, Originally Created by Trisha Jun 18, 2010 -- Find A Grave Memorial #53849753, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53849753
Joan Epperson Browder was living in Amarillo, Potter County, Texas, in May 2007, at the time of the death of her brother Finis Arnold Epperson.
In the 1880 census, Matthew is in his parents' household in Union Township of Nevada County, Arkansas. He is 17 years old. 1880 Federal Census, Nevada County, Arkansas, 16 June, Union Township, District 216, page 29A, Hse #238, Fam #242 Epperson, Leander M W M 53 Miller TN TN AL Epperson, Nancy M W F 49 Wife AL SC SC Epperson, Mathew B W M 17 Son AR TN AL Matthew Bradley Epperson Born November 05, 1862 at Ouachita Co. Ark Died May 31, 1934 at Chidester Ark Father Leander Melinton Epperson Mother Nancy Matilda Black Married Emma Victoria Reeves Born March 04, 1866 Died August 02, 1929 at Cleburne, TX Additional Spouses: Sarah Elizabeth (Lizzie) Douglas Father James McEwing Douglas Mother Martha Jane Grayson Born February 14, 1864 at Liberty, Ouachita Co. Ark Died October 28, 1900 at Chidester, Nevada Co. Ark -- Epperson Genealogy, http://epperson.eppygen.org/FamilyTree/F212.htm Richard B Jones records the family of Leander and Nancy: Leander Melinton EPPERSON Birth: 8 FEB 1827 in Tennessee Death 31 DEC 1893 in Ouachita County, AR Burial Gulley Cemetery Married 20 DEC 1849 in Ouachita County, AR Nancy Matilda BLACK Birth 28 JAN 1831 in Alabama Death 17 FEB 1902 in Ouachita County, AR Burial Gulley Cemetery Children: William Augustus EPPERSON b: 29 AUG 1851 in Ouachita County, AR Thomas James EPPERSON b: 21 JUN 1853 in Ouachita County, AR Casandra Hepsybeth EPPERSON b: 6 OCT 1855 in Ouachita County, AR Leander Alver EPPERSON b: 24 JUN 1857 in Ouachita County, AR Robert Kellog EPPERSON b: 10 AUG 1859 in Ouachita County, AR John Columbus EPPERSON b: 30 APR 1861 in Ouachita County, AR Matthew Bradley EPPERSON b: 5 NOV 1862 in Ouachita County, AR Joe Francis EPPERSON b: 6 SEP 1864 in Ouachita County, AR Rueben Gully EPPERSON b: 3 JUN 1866 in Ouachita County, AR Edgar Eugene EPPERSON b: 2 JAN 1869 in Ouachita County, AR Mary Jane Thelder EPPERSON b: 2 MAR 1870 in Ouachita County, AR Henry Jackson EPPERSON b: 7 AUG 1872 in Ouachita County, AR Finis Rooks EPPERSON b: 27 APR 1874 in Ouachita County, AR -- John Moore, http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=johnmoone&id=I9463 In 1900 we find Matthew married to his first wife Sarah Elizabeth (Lizzie) Douglas, still living in Nevada County, Arkansas, where he was with his parents in 1880. 1900 Federal Census, Nevada County, Arkansas, 15 June, Union Township, District 81, page 11A, Hse/Fam #183 Epperson, Mathew B Head W M Nov 1862 37 Married 20 years AR TN AL Farmer Owns Epperson, Mathew [Lizzie] Wife W F Feb 1864 36 Married 20 years Borne 8 children, 5 living AR TN TN Epperson, Willie B Dau W F Jan 1883 17 AR AR AR Epperson, Lula Dau W F Jan 1886 14 AR AR AR Epperson, Mitchel S Son W M Sept 1894 5 AR AR AR Epperson, Opal Dau W F Oct 1898 1 AR AR AR Epperson, Nancy M Mother W F Jun 1831 69 TN SC NC Note that the enumerator absent-mindedly wrote Mathew's name again for the wife's name! He has the husband as Mathew B and the wife as Mathew! We know from family sources that this wife is Sarah Elizabeth (Lizzie) Douglas. The number of years married tells us that Matthew and Lizzie got married in about 1880. Steve Mathis, in his genealogy of the Eppersons, reports the exact date as 30 March 1881. He does not give a location for the marriage ceremony. This date means they had actually been married only 19 years at the time of the 1900 census, though they reported 20 years. This is another reminder of the more relaxed concept of time people had in that era. 1910 Federal Census, Bandera County, Texas, 20 April, Justice Precinct 6, District 13, page ?, Hse #43, Fam #45 Epperson, M B Head M W 42 2nd Marriage (# of years not stated) AR TN AL Farm[er] Rents Epperson, Emma V Wife F W 44 2nd Marriage, married 25 years Borne 8 children, 6 living AR GA GA Epperson, Troy Son M W 20 AR AR AR Farm Laborer Epperson, Mitchel Son M W 14 AR AR AR Farm Laborer Epperson, Opal Son M W 11 AR AR AR Epperson, Finis Son M W 4 AR AR AR Reeves, Walter [Step]son M W 21 AR AR AR Farm[er] Reeves, Grover [Step]son M W 17 AR AR AR Farm Laborer Reeves, Myrtle [Step]daughter F W 11 AR AR AR The marriage information tells us that Matthew and Emma were both married before, and that they have been married for 25 years. This would mean they were married about 1885. This period of time for the marriage does not seem right, though. All the children except the oldest, Walter Reeves, are less than 25 years old, yet three have the last name Reeves. Though the last three children are reported here as Matthew's children, they are reported with the surname of Reeves. This tells us that Emma's first husband was named Reeves. I have not discovered his first name. The father of the Reeves children is reported in the 1900 census as born in Connecticut. Notice that now in the 1910 census, the state reported is Arkansas. It appears that the enumerator considered Matthew Epperson as the Reeves children's father also, and wrote his state of birth for their father's. The 1920 census reports Ruth (Myrtle) as a step-daughter of Matthew, so this seems to confirm that she and the other Reeves children are children of Emma Victoria's first husband. With the information on the Reeves children I was able to find the Emma and her children in the 1900 census. I found that she was a widowed head of household with these children in the household. In the 1920 census, Finis is only 4 years old, and if he is Emma's son, she would have been 49 when she bore him. This is old for childbearing. So I thought it possible his mother was the first wife, and Matthew married Emma after 1906 when Finis was born. But all the Epperson family genealogies I have found report that Finis Jerome is the son of Emma Victoria Reeves and Matthew Bradley Epperson. None of the genealogies I have found report a previous spouse for Emma. Reeves is reported as though it was Emma's maiden name. In the 1910 census the Reeves children's father is reported as born in Arkansas, whereas in 1920 Ruth and Grover's father was said to have been born in New York. It looks like in 1910 the enumerator reported the children all as children of Matthew, thus they gave his birth state for the father, instead of Mr Reeves' birth state. 1920 Federal Census, Gonzales County, Texas, 2 January, Justice Precinct 5, District 94, page 1A, Wrightsboro St, Hse/Fam #1 Epperson, Matthew B Head Rents M W 57 AR TN AL Minister, Group of Churches Epperson, Emma V Wife F W 53 AR GA GA Epperson, Finis J Son M W 14 AR AR AR Reeves, Ruth Stepdaughter F W 21 AR NY AR Teacher The Eppersons are the first family enumerated in their District. The census page also indicates that Matthew is the enumerator for this census. Since Ruth Reeves is 21 here, she matches the child Myrtle Reeves, who was 11 in the 1910 census. So I would guess her name was Myrtle Ruth (or less euphoniously possibly Ruth Myrtle). Notice the state of birth of her father is now reported as New York, which is at least a neighboring state of Connecticut, reported in 1900. The age of Matthew here is 15 years greater than the age reported in 1910! However, this age of 57 fits the family's reported date of birth for Matthew of 5 November 1862. Here Ruth corresponds to Myrtle in the 1910 census. I suspect her full name was Myrtle Ruth. Ruth is now reported as stepdaughter, rather than as daughter. Ruth's brother Grover, who was in the Epperson family household in 1910, is living 5 farms away, in the household of Bennett and Ira Henry, for whom he works as a Hired Man on their farm. While in 1910 Matthew is reported as a farmer, in 1920, while still living on a farm, he is reported as a Minister to a "group of churches." In March 2008, I found Matthew and other Eppersons referred to in a book about Presbyterians. In the 1930 census a widower living with his son Finis J and family. Emma Victoria died in 1929. Matthew is listed in 1930 as Mathew W Epperson. Note spelling of Matthew with one T in this census. 1930 Federal Census, Johnson County, Texas, 24 April, Justice Precinct 1, District 4, page 15B, Hse #232, Fam #244 Epperson, Finis J Head M W 24 married at age 18 [abt 1926] AR AR AR Clerk, Steam Railway Epperson, Jessie E Wife F W 22 married at age 17 [abt 1925] TX TX TX Epperson, Finis A Son M W 3yrs 10mos TX AR TX Epperson, Mathew W Father M W 67 Widower TX AR TX The occupation entered for Matthew is interesting here. First the enumerator wrote what appears to be Clergyman, Retired (and another word that might be Pension). This, then, is marked through, and the word None is written. Matthew's age here again matches the known birthday reported by Jimmy Epperson in his genealogy. Steve Mathis give more complete names for the children in some cases. I do not list all the children in my database. Here is Steve's list to supplement the census information above: Corrie no date or place of birth (died in 1900 before the census) Lulie no date or place of birth (Lula in 1900, b Jan 1886) Willie Blanche b 6 Jan 1884 (Willie B in 1900 census, birth given there as Jan 1883) Dwight b 1887 (not in any census, have died before age 3) James Troy 16 Jul 1889 Arkansas (not in the 1900 census, Troy age 20 in the 1910 census) I have James Troy in the database Mitchell Stokes b 9 Sep 1896 (1900 census Mitchel S birth date there is Sept 1894, 2 years earlier!) Milton no date or place of birth (no match in censuses, died same year of birth 1887) Opal Laura b 21 Oct 1898 in Chidester, Nevada, Arkansas (Opal in 1900 census, birth date there Oct 1898, Opal age 11 in 1910) Jimmy Epperson clarifies the situation for Dwight, indicating that Dwight Laughlin was born in 7 February 1892 and died on August 1899. His brother James Troy later named one of his sons Dwight Laughlin. Jimmy fills out some more details on this family also. He adds full names for some: Corrie b 30 January 1882, d 1900 Willie Blanch b 16 January 1883, d 18 December 1967 Lula Matilda b 14 January 1886, d 1902 Milton Ewing b 6 September 1887, d 1887 James Troy (Big Pop) 17 July 1889, d 28 December 1967 Mitchell Stokes b 9 September 1895, d 19 March 1960 Opal Laura b 21 October 1898, d 5 October 1990 The date of birth for James Troy in Steve Mathis' information as 16 July 1889 and in Jimmy Epperson's genealogy as 17 July 1889. This child for some reason is not listed in the 1900 census, when he should be 10 years old. His age in the 1910 as age 20. Here is the burial information from the Cleburne, Texas, Memorial Cemetery register: Epperson, Matthew Bradley, b Nov. 05, 1862, d May 31, 1954; Block 54, Lot 4 CLEBURNE MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Johnson County, Texas -- RootsWeb Cemetery Registers, Cleburne, http://www.rootsweb.com/~txjohnsocemeteries/cleburnemem54.html Jimmy Epperson reports: Matthew was in Chidester on a vacation when he fell ill from uremic poisoning and died. He was returned to Cleburne, TX for his funeral service. He is buried in the Cleburne Cemetery next to his second wife, Emma Reeves. -- RootsWeb, Epperson, http://www.rootsweb.com/~gaclarke/Families/GrpSheets/EppersonLeander.htm Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950 Mathew B Epperson Death 31 May 1934 Ouachita County Roll #19341940, Page 1038
Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997 Matthew Bradley Epperson Birth 15 Apr 1952 Johnson County Father Finis Arnold Epperson Mother Margaret Anne St Martin United States Social Security Death Index Matthew Bradley Epperson Age 56 Birth 15 Apr 1952 Death 30 Apr 2008 California Matthew Bradley “Brad†Epperson BIRTH 15 Apr 1952 DEATH 30 Apr 2008 (aged 56) BURIAL Oak Park Cemetery, Claremont, Los Angeles County, California Inscription: EPPERSON LOVING, KIND & GENEROUS MATTHEW BRADLEY "BRAD" APRIL 15, 1952 APRIL 30, 2008 Created by SueScot 1 Aug 2012 -- Find A Grave Memorial 94647828, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/94647828
U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 Opal Laura Beck [Opal Laura Coomer] [Opal Coomer] [Opal Laura Epperson] Birth 21 Oct 1898 Chidester, Arkansas Death Date 5 Oct 1990 Father Mathew B Epperson Mother Sarah E Douglas SSN 457689611 Apr 1959 Name listed as OPAL LAURA BECK; May 1972 Name listed as OPAL LAURA COOMER; Jun 1972 Name listed as OPAL LAURABECK COOMER; 17 Oct 1990 Name listed as OPAL COOMER Opal Laura Epperson Beck Birth Oct 21, 1898 Chidester, Ouachita County, Arkansas Death Oct 5, 1990 Snyder, Scurry County, Texas Spouse Jasper Beck (1874 - 1957) Son James Melvin Beck (1932 - 2013) Burial Hillside Memorial Gardens, Snyder, Scurry County, Texas Created by ebulla Nov 12, 2010 -- Find A Grave Memorial #6147784, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=61477848
This name is spelled Trudie by the Epperson side of the family, as recorded in Jimmy Epperson's Genealogy, http://epperson.eppygen.org/FamilyTree/F154.htm. The name is spelled as Trudy in the Jenkins side of the family, various sources, including private family history by Harold Keith Christian. The name is also spelled Trudy in the Teresa Montgomery Kanango Genealogy (no longer online). Trudie Elizabeth Epperson is referred to as Elizabeth Harris in the obituary of her brother, Finis Arnold Epperson. On her parents' deth certificates, she is referred to as Mrs H O Harris. At the time of her brother's death in May 2007, Elizabeth Epperson Harris was living in Arlington, Texas. Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997 Trudie Elizabeth Epperson Birth 22 Mar 1931 Johnson County Gender Female Father Finis Jerome Epperson Mother Jessie Downs
Several family genealogies have her name as Cordelia Erwin. Her maiden name is reported on the death certificate of her daughter Vivle. California, Death Index, 1940-1997 Vivle England [Vivle Smith] Gender: Female Birth 3 Aug 1924 Birth Oklahoma Death 7 Mar 1996 Fresno County Mother's Maiden Name: Erwin Father's Surname: Smith Social Security #551344312 In Cordelia's death information she is recorded as Corda Smith. California, Death Index, 1940-1997 Corda Smith [Corda Henson] [Corda Erwin] Gender: Female Birth 10 Mar 1890 Oklahoma Death 30 May 1990 Fresno County Mother's Maiden Name: Hanson Father's Surname: Erwin Social Security #558520409 Corda Smith BIRTH 1890 DEATH 1990 (aged 99-100) BURIAL Fresno Memorial Gardens, Fresno, Fresno County, California, Last Supper Spouse Zack Smith 1885-1976 Created by Edward DeVera 18 Mar 2015 -- Find A Grave Memorial 143891835, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143891835/corda-smith
Family sources spell this name Estep. Historical documents also have it spelled Eastep and Easthop. In November 1831, lawyer Abraham Lincoln drew up a document for James Eastep in a land transaction between him and his brother-in-law. This documents several famly relationships. =========================== November 12, 1831 Know all men by these presents that I James Eastep am held and firmly bound in the penal Sum of twenty Dollars unto Solomon Teter for the conveyance of a certain tract or parcel of land it being the part of a certain tract (situated in St. Clair County and State of Illinois) which falls to my wife as an heir of Abraham Teter deceased. The condition of the above obligation is such. If the said James Eastep shall make a good and lawful patent to said Teter for the afforesaid parcel of land by the twelfth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred-and thirty six the above obligation is to be null void and of no effect. Otherwise to Remain in full force and Virtue at law. In testimony whereof the said James Eastep has hereunto set his hand and seal this twelfth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one. Attest JAMES EASTEP (SEAL) A LINCOLN -- http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=lincoln;cc=lincoln;rgn=div2;view=text;idno=lincoln1;node=lincoln1%3A5.1 ===========================