Adair County Iowa

D. J. Hepler is a representative resident farmer of Lee township living on section 9. He was born in Jasper county, Iowa, on the 23d of September, 1867, a son of David and Priscilla (Hanna) Hepler, both of whom were natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where they were reared and married. They resided in the Keystone state until after the birth of five of their children and about 1866 they came west to Iowa, settling in Jasper county, where the father purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land. He lived there for eight years and about 1874 came to Adair county, purchasing a half section in Prussia township on section 4.  He lived upon that farm for twenty-two years, carefully cultivating and improving it until 1896, when he retired from active life, removing to Greenfield, where his death occurred in September, 1908. For more than two years he had survived his wife, who passed away in January, 1906.

D. J. Hepler was a little lad of seven years at the time of the removal of the family to Adair county, where he was reared upon the home farm, while his education was acquired in the district schools. In the spring of 1888, some months prior to the time when he attained his majority, his father gave him his time and he began farming on his own account. For two years he and a brother rented the home place, which he operated alone for six years. He then bought one hundred and twenty acres on section 13, Lee township, and carried on farming there for five years, at the end of which time he sold that property and invested in his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 9, Lee township. To this place he removed and he has since occupied it. The result of his labors are manifest in the carefully tilled fields which bring forth golden harvests and in the well kept appearance of the place in every particular. In addition to his other interests he is a stockholder in the Greenfield Creamery Company.

On November 20, 1889, Mr. Hepler was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Holiday, of Grand River township, a daughter of William and Matilda (Anderson) Holiday, pioneer settlers of Adair county, still residing in Grand River township. To Mr. and Mrs. Hepler have been born one son and daughter: Lester R., who is engaged in farming in Lee township; and Matilda C., a high-school student in Greenfield.

Politically Mr. Hepler is a republican and is now serving on the board of trustees in his township. He belongs to Greenfield Lodge, No. 375, I. O.O.F., and to the Modern Woodmen. Almost his entire life has passed in Adair county, where he is widely and favorably known. He has always followed general agricultural pursuits and in his business has so directed his labors that substantial results have accrued, and he is now the owner of an excellent farm property.