George W. Erwin Biographical Review

GEORGE W. ERWIN, one of the most prominent farmers of Littletown township, Schuyler county, Illinois, was born in Constable, Franklin County, Ohio, December 1, 1818. His parents were Cornelius M. and Lucinda (Furman) Erwin. His father was born in Rutland county, Vermont, and died in Ohio, aged fifty years. (See sketch of L. D. Erwin). Our subject was reared and educated in Ohio, living at home until his father’s death, when in June, 1838, he came to Illinois, where he walked all through the lead mines, looking for work, and finally located in Rushville, working by the month on a farm. He continued in this capacity until the year 1847, when he enlisted in Captain Dunlap’s company and served for a year and a half in the Mexican war. At the end of this time, he returned to Rushville, and soon after married Agnes Corrie, on New Year’s Day, 1851. She was born in Orange county, Illinois, and was a daughter of John Corrie, a substantial farmer of the State. After his marriage, our subject bought a farm of 160 acres of partly improved land, on which he built in 1855, the home in which he still resides, which is a substantial pile, suggestive of comfort and convenience. He has added large barns and other buildings for his grain and stock, and has his land under a high state of cultivation, being devoted to mixed farming. His former farm is worked by his son-in-law, Mr. Bosworth, a highly esteemed young man and intelligent farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Erwin have had ten children, four of whom are now living, viz.: Ellen A., wife of Richard R. Bosworth, has five children, three boys and two girls; Cornelius M., married Sara B. Taylor, and they have four children; Frank C. married Mary Cordell; William S. lives in Montana. He has had his children carefully educated in the schools of the vicinity, and all are intelligent members of the communities in which they live. Mr. Erwin had the misfortune to lose his wife, after thirty-four years of happy wedded life. She died May 10, 1885, aged fifty-five years, mourned by her family and a large circle of friends. She was a lady of intelligence and many charms of person and character, a faithful wife and fond mother, and sympathetic friend. Our subject is a member of the Democratic party, having cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren, since when he has voted the straight Democratic ticket. His constituents have honored him by an election to the office of collector of the township, in which capacity he was the first to serve after its organization. He has also been a school trustee and director for many years, which position he has filled with ability and to the general satisfaction of the community. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the support of which he has always liberally contributed. Of superior ability, energetic and progressive, and of high morality and integrity, Mr. Erwin enjoys the esteem of his fellow citizens to an unusual degree.