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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 inaugnrated 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 Aenith 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 ye5s 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

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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.