Week 11 #52Ancestors: Large Family

“Families are like branches on a tree. We grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one.” Unknown

What is your definition of a large family?  My father had five siblings and my mother had seven siblings. I considered those large families until I started researching my ancestors and building my family tree.  Decisions, decisions…who to write about?  On this very windy March day in OKC, I have chosen Charley Smith Epperson and Laura Emeline Davis who are my second great-uncle and aunt. They also became fellow Okies. 

Charley Smith Epperson Clan

Charley and Laura had 13 children and all but one grew to adulthood.  The individuals in this photo were identified by Barbara Transue as: back row Left to right Lonnie Brownlo Epperson: Martha Jane (Epperson) Loukes. Jessie Willes (Epperson) Smith; Bessie Mae (Epperson) Reece; John Nelson Epperson; Front row is Paul Clayton Epperson; Shelby Kyle Epperson; Charley Smith Epperson; James Tyler Epperson; Laura Emeline (Davis) Epperson; Clenith Grant Epperson; Nellie Beulah (Epperson) Walden. My mother Anna Fay (Epperson) Richardson had not been born yet. Their children were all born in east Tennessee but the family would leave this land by 1925.

Charley and Laura Epperson's home in Tazewell, Tennessee

I discovered an interesting story about Charley and Laura’s family on MyHeritage years ago and, unfortunately, didn’t record the name of the author.  Perhaps it was fellow researcher Barbara Transue who wrote this summary:  

He owned and operated a general store in Mooresburg, Tennessee until 1923 and removed by train to Monroe, Michigan. The conductor of the train made the comment that this was the first time he had seen such a large family making a move by train.  After arriving at Monroe, Michigan they operated a boarding house until 1925.  After receiving a letter from a member of his relation (nephew) that lived in Oklahoma. He and his family removed to Oklahoma, again traveling by train. He settled in Okemah, Oklahoma where he was engaged in farming and drilling water wells until 1936.  They removed to Ponca City, Oklahoma until his death.  

Laura Davis Epperson and unknown child

Another treasure that was inherited by Susie Kelley Clarke was a letter from Charley to my great-grandparents Noah and Allie Sutton:

Oct. 21^st1935

Okemah, Okla.

Mrs. Aley & Noah Sutton.  Dear Brother & Sister ans to yours received a few days ago found us all still going.  Hope you all are better by naugh you seam to have plenty of rain down thare & you seam not to make mutch cotton.  Cotton is awful sorry over hear.  I wont make mutch more than one bale not mutch corn & lots of high gear it is shure good – 20 or 30 akers.  Say Noah I liked to of come over thare last week to see bout that place of Parkers.  Noah I want you to rite me rite back & explain to me a bout this land & how mutch money he wants to turn it over to me & wheather you think the are any thing to it or not if you think it would bea a good deal or not, if it isn’t a good deal & don’t want to fool with it for it is shure easley to tare up & move, if I understand this rite he has got 90 akers in one place & 190 in a nouther & they are so mutch a gants it & so long to pay it out.  Money is shure hard to get over hear.  Tell me how mutch is in cultivation & how mutch in grass & timber that sort of improvements on it.  Take your time & give me this in a plain way so I can under stand it. I want to noe all a bout it & after you tell me & I think they are a bargain in it & will come rite over.  So rite me rite back, I am ancious to see you all any way.  Love to you all,

Your brother C.S. Epperson

Charley Epperson (photo posted on the Epperson Facebook page hosted by Pam Epperson)

Since we know that Charley moved his family to Ponca City, it looks as though he did not buy the land near Noah and Allie.  However, he may have traveled to see Noah and Allie to pay his respects as they lost their son, Lewis (my grandfather), on November 19, 1935.  He died in an oil field accident near Seminole, Oklahoma. His body was taken back to Fannin County, Texas where he was buried in Bonham, Texas.

Charley Smith Epperson and Laura Emeline Davis

Charley and Laura are buried in the Odds Fellow Cemetery in Ponca City, Oklahoma along with many family members.  Anytime I meet an Epperson in Oklahoma, I have to ask about their ancestry as I just know there is a good chance they might be kin.