Biographical Sketch of Dr. Leander Barcus Epperson
April 1, 1875 – August 29, 1940
Leander Barcus Epperson was born in Nevada County, Arkansas on April 1, 1875 to the farming family of William A. and Laura A. Epperson. In the 1880 census the family was living in Union, Nevada, Arkansas. On September 1, 1897 L B Epperson and Mattie Smith were married in Ouachita County. The Nashville News reports in the February 8, 1905 edition “Dr. H. F. Cross has sold his practice and other interests here to Dr. Epperson from Nevada county, and has returned to his former home in Missouri.” The 1906 American Medical Directory lists Lee. B. Epperson as practicing in Chidester, Ouachita county. The 1909 AMD lists L. B. Epperson as practicing in Whelen Springs, Clark county. The 1910 census lists Lee B and Mattie Efferson and their three children as living in Beech Creek, Clark county. Mattie passed away shortly after the 1910 census was taken. On September 10, 1911 L B Epperson and Naisy Stone were wed in Nevada county. The couple is living in Whelen Springs with two of the children from his first marriage and two new children from his second in the 1920 census. The family has moved to Gurdon in the 1930 census and is there in the 1940 census.
The Gurdon Times reported the death of Dr. Epperson in the September 5, 1940 edition. “Dr. Epperson was well known throughout Clark county as a leader in his chosen profession and was known and loved by hundreds of friends and patients who he had served in his many years in this section of the state.
Hundreds of friends, many who he had saved at death’s door crowded together at the funeral to pay their last respect to their “family doctor.””1 Dr. Epperson is buried in Bethlehem Cemetery, Gurdon, Clark County, Arkansas.
1 Gurdon Times, September 5, 1940
furnished by: Lisa K. Speer, Ph.D., MLIS
Archivist and Associate Professor
Coordinator of the Public History Program
Riley-Hickingbotham Library
Box 3742
Ouachita Baptist University
Arkadelphia, AR 71998
John T. Mitchell
November 21, 2020