Henry A. Lepper, [(9)John Jr., (8)John Sr., (7)Jacobus, (6)Jacob, (5)Conrad,
(4)Johann, (3)Philippus, (1)Hans] was born 02-Jan-1875, died 21-May-1955 at
Hickory Corners, Michigan, was a huge man and strong at 6 feet 8 inches, had
a 34 inch waist, biceps about 24 inches, so big he had to lean forward to get food
off his fork or spoon and hands that were twice regular size. He was like an
acetylene torch, it didn't take much of a spark to light him up to where he
got very hot.
He used to pick up a 55 gallon "Hogshead" drum full of water and set it up on
a high wheel wagon to be used by a steam engine. And Little Henry, so-called
as a boy, weighed 280 pounds in his prime, he was about 65 when I can first
remember anything about him. One day a smart alec came here to the
blacksmith shop which Uncle Hank ran, said he stopped by to ask where the
strongest "gentleman" in the neighborhood lived. Hank picked up the 150
pound anvil with one hand, held it out away from his body and pointed toward
the door and said "right down the road". The guy saw all he wanted to see
and left in a big hurry.
But Hank would do that every day. He would grab it by the horn and carry it
from the stump by the forge to the stump by the door where he worked cold
metal.
Alger Cox, who lived up at Cedar Creek, about 6 miles north of Hickory,
told me this, and I can quote:
"We was at supper one night and I had five brothers at the table, sisters,
mother and dad. When one brother, Ellihew, who was bad to fight, said 'boys,
don't make any plans for Saturday night. I'm going to Hickory to whip a man
named Henry Lepper'. That was the first I ever heard of him. Dad said 'Why,
what did he do to you?' 'Nothing, he is said to be a big strong man and I
think I can whip him in a fight!' Dad said 'If he ain't harmed you I'd leave
him be'. Now Ellihew was a big man too and had fought a lot, so we walked 6
miles to Hickory with him come Saturday night".
Still quoting Alger Cox, late of Cedar Creek, village in Barry County, Hope
Township, 6 miles north of Hickory Corners, Michigan:
"When we arrived at Hickory, we went straight to the Hotel Tavern. All but
Ellihew sat down to order drinks. We did not have them yet when big brother
asked the bartender which man at the bar was Henry Lepper? 'He is down there
in the middle, stands about a head taller than the rest, the man with a lot
of hair and beard'. Ellihew paid him a nickel to slide a pint down to Henry,
but told him not to send it 'till he got over there. Ellihew stepped up next
to him, between the bartender and Hank. Nodded to tell him to slide it.
Bartender hollared, 'Hank, here's a beer', and shoved it hard. Hank was
reaching out to catch it and just as it went by, Ellihew spit tobacco juice
in it. Hank just doubled his fist, and came right around and hit my brother
on the side of the head. He staggered backward to the door and fell backward
into the street. We all sat there and nobody said anything about it. Nobody
went to the door. We still had nothing to drink, when Ellihew stuck his head
in the door, holding his jaw. Yelled 'Come on, let's go home. I found out
what I wanted to know!"
A true story I figure, since Alger told the story on his brother.
All these Lepper men were good with a gun, shotgun or rifle, and all were
hunters, fishermen and trappers. Most drank whiskey, and all made their own
wine, brandy, and lots of it. All the wives were church goers.
