Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- pages 449-450

JOHN EPLETT, a retired official now living in Platteville, Grant county, has had a varied and eventful history. He has passed through many interesting and suggestive experiences, and has kept his hands clean, and his character unstained.

Mr. EPLETT was born June 1, 1825, in London, England, son of John and Sarah (MANCE) EPLETT, who were born and married in England. In 1851 they emigrated to this country, and settled at Mineral Point, Wis., living in that town until 1854, Mr. EPLETT following his trade of millwright. In the year mentioned the family moved to Jo Daviess county, Ill., and spent the next two years on a farm, which he then sold, moving to Smelser, near Cuba, Wis., where he spent some time. Reports of the opportunities of getting on in the world that were to be had in southwestern Wisconsin reached the ears of the elder EPLETT, and he moved his family to Georgetown, Grant county, where he and his wife spent the rest of their lives, he dying Aug. 16, 1871, and his wife in 1890. They had a family of six children; Mary A., born in England in 1820, grew to womanhood in that country, and married William JENNINGS, and has two children; they still reside in her native land. Elizabeth, born in England in 1822, married John BURNETTE, and is now deceased; they had one son, John, now living in Iowa. John is our subject. Sarah, born in 1828, married Henry CRAZE, who died in California, leaving one son, Charles, who died a few years later; the widow afterward married Herman DE GRAFF, of New York, and they are now living in Illinois; they have two children, Ella and Lawrence, the former the wife of John W. OLIVER, of Apple River. Jane, born in 1831, grew up in England, came with her parents to Wisconsin, and married James MINOR, of Cornwall, England, who settled near Galena and remained in Illinois for some years, thence moving to Colorado, where he held the position of foreman in the mines of one of the large silver companies of that State; they have five children, Annie, John, Sarah, Thomas and Herman. Catherine, born in England, married Edwin W. CROCKETT in 1851; they were in California for a time after their marriage, and then made their home at Alden, Iowa, where they both died leaving five children - Edwin, deceased; Emily, wife of a Mr. POPPY; John, county clerk at Eldora, Iowa; Annie, wife of Joseph BYERS, of Alden; and Frank, of Eldora.

John EPLETT was educated substantially in the schools of his native country. When a young man he learned the trade of millwright under the instruction of his father, and worked at his trade some years before coming to the United States. In 1850 the young millwright came to Wisconsin, and settled at Mineral Point, where he found employment at his chosen craft for some years. In 1851 Mr. EPLETT married Miss Joanna VIVIAN, daughter of Francis and Anna VIVIAN, her parents dying in England, where she was born. Mr. EPLETT and his young wife settled in Grant county, where he maintained himself with credit by working at his trade until 1892. That year he was elected county clerk and moved to Lancaster living in that city nine years, throughout which time he held the important position mentioned. Before being elected county clerk he held the position of town clerk nine years, and was also justice of the peace, and for two years Mr. EPLETT served the house at Madison as enrolling clerk, filling that office with satisfaction to all and credit to himself. He is thoroughly versed in public affairs, and has proved himself a capable and trustworthy man. In 1897 Mr. EPLETT purchased real estate, an addition to his homestead, where he erected a fine house, finished in hard wood, and equipped with all the modern conveniences. Mrs. EPLETT died in 1885, leaving three children. Elizabeth, born at Mineral Point in 1852, was educated in the schools of the neighborhood, and is a lady of culture; since the death of her mother she has had charge of the home. Sarah, born in Smelser, Aug. 13, 1857, became the wife of C. B. BRAY, a merchant of Galena, Ill., and died in October, 1893, leaving three children, John R., Curtis and Harrison; these boys have been reared in the home of the grandfather, in Platteville, by their Aunt Elizabeth, who has given them the care and attention of a mother. Mary, born in Smelser, is now the wife of Thomas DENT, a farmer of Smelser; they have three sons, Floyd, Raymond and Donald. Mr. EPLETT has always been identified with the Republican party and cast his first vote for John C. Fremont. He is a member of the Methodist Church, as was also his wife, and fraternally belongs to the Masonic order. He is a man of character and standing in his own community.



This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck