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C. G. Epperson

C. G. Epperson, a pioneer merchant of Walnut township, who now conducts the leading mercantile establishment and is also postmaster at Gordon, is a native of Tennessee. He was born in Hamilton county in 1854, and is a son of John R. and Emma (Good) Epperson, natives of Virginia. They were the parents of five children, only two of whom are now living: C. G., the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. Caldona Woodan, Georgetown, Tenn.

C. G. Epperson was reared to manhood in his native State, and received a good public school education in the schools of Georgetown, Tenn. He remained at home with his parents until 1880, when he went to Macon county, Illinois. Here he followed farming three or four years, when he came to Kansas, locating in Walnut township, Butler county. He was engaged in farming about four years and was employed by the Santa Fe Railroad Company about a year. He then began his mercantile career as a clerk in the store of Mr. Farrow. Later he clerked for Lou Myers. While in the employ of Mr. Myers he was appointed postmaster of Gordon by President Cleveland, and served in that capacity for three years. He was then in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad Company again for one year, when he embarked in the mercantile business for himself, opening a general store at Gordon, Kans. His first store building was an unpretentious affair, 12x20 feet, and he

began with a small stock of goods, only about $90 worth. He paid cash for his goods, and at first bought in small quantities, and often carried his goods from Augusta to his place of business on a bicycle.

His business gradually developed, and in a short time wholesale houses were anxious for his patronage and willing to ship his goods when they discovered that his business was being conducted along the lines of sound business principles. By his honest methods and square dealing, he has built up a large patronage and won the confidence of the public and is one of the live and progressive merchants of Butler county. In 1912, Mr. Epperson was appointed postmaster of Gordon by President Taft, and is still serving in that capacity.

Mr. Epperson was united in marriage in 1889 with Miss Ida Cooley, of Rose Hill. She died two years after her marriage, and in 1904, Mr. Epperson was married to Nora Shreve, of Augusta. Notwithstanding his busy mercantile career, Mr. Epperson finds time to do considerable writing, for which he possesses a natural aptitude. He is local correspondent for a number of newspapers and has produced much interesting and well written matter, and he has also written considerable poetry of merit. In 1912 he visited his old Tennessee home, and some of the letters which he wrote to the Butler county newspapers at that time concerning his travels and Tennessee life and conditions are surely entitled to a place among the journalistic classics of Butler county.

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