I am the GGG granddaughter of William Gepner Sr. (b. 2 Oct 1849 in Templeburg, Germany d. 25 May 1936) through the union of second marriage, wife Malinda Kink. The following is the excerpt from a xeroxed copy of the obit for William Gepner appearing in a Kansas newspaper June 4, 1936.
"The life span of William Gepner, Sr. covered the most interesting period in history. At the time of his death he had lived in Clay county more than a half century, and was one of that fast diminishing group of early day homesteaders whose courage, foresight and labor brought civilization into the wilderness of the west. In the early days he tilled the prairie with oxen. He lived to see the old dugouts replaced with modern homes, and the old process of farming has given way to power machinery, tractors and combines. The story of his life is similar to that of most of the fine old pioneers.
"William Gepner, son of Karl and Louisa Gepner, was born in the city of Templeburg, Germany, October 2, 1849, and died at his home in Morganville, Kansas May 25, 1936, at the age of 86 years, 7 months and 23 days.
"In the year 1866 the Gepner family left Germany and sailed for America, landing in Quebec, Canada, July 4, after a voyage of seven weeks. After spending a short time in Canada they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he drove a milk wagon. They lived there until 1871, when most of the members of the family came to Kansas and located in Clay county.
"William Gepner filed on a homestead in Bloom township where he underwent all the privations and hardships incident to the pioneer days of Kansas. His first home was a "dug-out" and in this humble home on September 26, 1876 he was married to Miss Lydia Petermeyer whose death occurred in 1883. To this union were born four children, Frederick W., Fredina, Anna M. and Julius C.
"In due time Mr. Gepner contracted a second marriage, his bride being Miss Malinda Kink, a native of Canada. To them was born one son, Ludwig. Mrs. Gepner passed away eighteen months after her marriage, leaving Mr. Gepner to care for a baby son.
"On September 14, 1887, Mr. Gepner was married to Miss Augusta Fieldbinder, a native of Germany, and they were the parents of one son, William J.
"On February 25, 1897, Mr. eGpner(sic) was married to Florence Bryant and two children were born to this union, Margaret, who died in 1926, and Stillman, whose death occurred in 1912.
"Mr. Gepner is survived by his wife; three sons, Lewis of Clyde; Fred of Oregon, and William of Illinois; three daughters, Mrs. Len Bloom of Idana, Mrs. John Forsythe of Wakefield, and Ruby of Illinois. There are also 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
"When a young boy, Mr. Gepner united with the Presbyterian church and continued to hold his membership in that organization until his death.
"Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, May 29th, at the M. E. church, conducted by Rev. H. R. Campbell, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Clifton. Music was furnished by a mixed quartet composed of Mrs. Alex Purves, Mrs. G. I. Bodine, A. H. Petermeyer and L. D. Huff, with Mrs. Edwin Schwab playing the accompaniment. Interment was made in.....
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Hope this helps.