Peter Epley ⁶⁷²²

History of Knox County, Vol. II
by A. J. Perry
pages 141-142
Submitted by Janine Crandell
http://illinoisancestors.org/knox/Biographies/Biose.html#EpleyP

Peter Epley

The late Peter Epley, who for many years was a street commissioner in Knoxville, located here with his family in the '80s. His birth occurred on a farm in the vicinity of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the 23d of April, 1833, his parents being George and Harriet (Vance) Epley, also natives of the Keystone state. George Epley came to Knox county with his family during the pioneer days, and here both he and the mother passed away. Their family consisted of four sons and seven daughters of whom the following are living: John; William; Mrs. Sarah Lightner, of Knoxville; Mrs. Mary Pfeffer, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Mattie Hoke, of Elk Creek, Nebraska; and Mrs. Amanda Korman, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
In the acquirement of his education Peter Epley attended the common schools in the vicinity of his birthplace, at the same time assisting his father with the work of the farm. When the war broke out he was drafted from Gettysburg and went to the front where he remained for three months, to assume on his return the responsibilities of manhood and directed his energies thereafter along different lines of activity.
When twenty-one years of age, Mr. Epley married Miss Agnes Evelyn Currens, their marriage being celebrated in Gettysburg, on February 27, 1854. She is a daughter of Elijah and Mary Ann (Dix) Currens, natives of Maryland, in which state Mrs. Epley's birth occurred on the 23d of July, 1835. Her father was a shoemaker, and after following his trade for many years in his native state, he removed with his family to Pennsylvania, where he passed away at the age of ninety-six years. He was a veteran of the Revolutionary war. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Currens there were born five sons and five daughters, Mrs. Epley being the only one now living. In order of birth they were as follows: John; Mary Jane; Ann Eliza; Isabella; Sarah M.; Agnes; Jessie; Stephen; and two who died in infancy. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Epley numbered twelve, nine sons and three daughters. Calvin, who was the eldest, died in infancy. William, who conducts a restaurant at Elmwood, is married and has one son, Max. John, who is the next in order of birth, is deceased. Sarah R. married William Johns, at Gettysburg and has six children and one grandchild, as follows: Laura, who is married and has one child; and Mary, Ada, Walter, Howard and one child who died in infancy. Mary Ann, the wife of William Gross, is living in Boston, where both she and her husband are Christian science practitioners. Laura married Reuben H. Culp, an undertaker of Gettysburg, and has two children, Charles and Ethel. Frederick is deceased. Charles is conducting a restaurant in Knoxville. George, who is a resident of Elmwood, is married and has three children; Leo, Everett and a baby. Isaac is engaged in the operation of a farm near Maquon. Robert, a painter and decorator, is a resident of Knoxville. Curtis, the youngest member of the family, is conducting a flour and feed store at Norwick, Kansas. He is married and has one child, Harold.
Mr. Epley affiliated with the Lutheran faith, while his widow belongs to the Presbyterian church. He voted the democratic ticket, and was an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic. The residence now occupied by Mrs. Epley was erected by them more than twenty-seven years ago. In November, 1905, Mr. Epley passed away while on a visit in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

  Events

• He appeared on the census in 1900 in Knox, Knox County, Illinois. He was head of household and property owner.

Peter married Agnes Evelyn Currens 27 February 1854 in Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania. (Agnes Evelyn Currens was born about July 1833 in Maryland,⁶⁷²⁴ died in 1915 in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois ⁶⁷²⁴ and was buried in 1915 in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois at Knoxville Cemetery ⁶⁷²⁴.) The cause of her death was pneumonia.