A Biographical history of Darke County, Ohio: compendium of national biography, Lewis Publishing Company, 1900, Google Books.
“HARRISON A. KEPNER.
Harrison A. Kepner was born May 14, 1836, in the old stone house which was the home of his parents at the time they resided in Perry county, Pennsylvania. At the age of sixteen began teaching in the Thompson Lock school. During the summer he attended the high school at Markleville and completed his education in the Port Royal Academy. He taught the Thompson Lock school for one term and then accepted a position as teacher in the Gilfillen school at Pfout’s valley, in Perry county.
Having acquired some capital as the result of his energy and economy, Mr. Kepner traveled west and visited Chicago, Iowa City and other points. He then went to the home of his uncle, Joseph Roush, in Lima, Ohio, where he was employed in a saw-mill for a few months. During those years, through practical experience, he had gained a good knowledge of the carpenter’s trade, which he subsequently followed in Darke county through the summer months for a number of years, while in the winter season he engaged in teaching for eight years. It was in the spring of 1859 that he located in Neave township, Darke county, where he owned and operated a farm for three years. In 1867 he removed to Arcanum, where he engaged in hardware business with marked success for seventeen years. He also assisted in organizing the First National Bank of Arcanum and served as its vice-president until October 10, 1898, when he resigned, since which time he has lived retired, enjoying a well earned rest.
Having lost his first wife, on the 20th of February, 1895, Mr. Kepner wedded Miss Josephine Ivester, of Arcanum, who died in September 26, 1896, leaving one child, Helen Beatrice who was born March 26, 1896. (We have Helen’s death certificate but the numbers are very hard to make out)
This was in AWTHS archives identified as A. Helen Kepner
He has always been a stanch Democrat. For several years he served as mayor of Arcanum, was a justice of the peace in Neave township for six years, and in Arcanum was elected to the same office in 1869, serving twenty-four years. In the early ’70s he became identified with the Masonic fraternity, has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is one of the active and exemplary membrs of the craft in this locality.
Mr.Kepner has a beautiful home in Arcanum, which was built in 1887 and is of red brick. Amid pleasant surroundings he is spending his days quietly, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned. Through an active business career, as the results of capable management and straightforward dealing, he acquired a handsome competence, which supplies him with all the necessities and many of the luxuries of life. His record has ever been honorable.
In his Arcanum business, per the “Arcanum Business” book, he was located at 102 West George which would be Tom Wetzels building today. This was started in 1866. It contained a hardware store and the Ballard Drug Store. Mr. Kepner served as a bank and was also involved in shipping of grain, partner in Poe and Kepner Planning Mill and Fickle Planing Mill and Mellinger Planning Mill. On the second floor of the building was the Kepner Opera House which was prior to the building of the new city building and opera house.
In the “The Secret Town” book by William Gunder, in 1875 Kepner was noted for the following business products: Hardware, cutlery, iron, nails, agricultural implements, groceries, notions and C. Dealer Grain and Seeds. Also a newsdealer, Justice of the Peace and a Notary Public.
H. A. Kepner died in 1905. He is buried at Abbottsville Cemetery with his wife, Josephine. His daughter, Helen was around 9 years old when he died. According to the newspaper, Mattie Ivester was appointed as her guardian as stated in her father’s will dated August 17, 1905.
Helen Kepner married Harold Wright, Sr in 1917. A son, Harold Wright, Jr. was born. In a sad story, Helen and Harold divorced with Helen remarrying. She died in 1942 and is buried with the Kepner’s in Abbottsville. Through Larry Wright’s father, Harry Wright Jr, is how he acquired the Ivester collection which was passed down to the Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society.
Helen Kepner Wright
Is anyone has deeds or information on a “red brick” home on West George Street please notify AWTHS. awthsresearch@gmail.com. We are trying to find which home may have been the Kepner’s. Speculation is at this point, the old Dunlap house down on West George.
AWTHS has in their archives, courtesy of descendant Larry Wright, lots of photos of some of the Ivester’s and Helen.
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