USA > Minnesota > Waseca County > Child's history of Waseca County, Minnesota : from its first settlement in 1854 to the close of the year 1904, a record of fifty years : the story of the pioneers > Part 61
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J. W. Cleland, son of the foregoing, was born in Delaware county. N. Y., and was one of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Cleland. His birthday was Sept. 27, 1847. He came West with his family in 1863. He carried on the homestead farm until 1885, when the place was sold and he purchased a small farm on the west shore of Clear lake, near Waseca. J. W. Cleland and Miss Amanda C. Connor, of Blooming Grove, were married Oct. 3, 1877. Amanda was born Sept. 11, 1852. In the state of Indiana, and came to Waseca county with her parents in 1856. The children of Rev. W. J. Cleland were known as Anna M., Wm. T., E. E.,
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Maggie A., John W., D. M., J. Mckay, and C. S. James W. was stricken by paralysis while working about a threshing machine. He never re- covered from the stroke, and died after a very prolonged illness, July 15, 1903.
CAPTAIN JACOB W. PIERCE
was born in Cumberland County, N. J., Oct. 15, 1833. His wife, Sarah A., was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1837. Captain Pierce came West in 1855, tarried in Wisconsin a little over a year, then returned to New Jersey, remaining until 1857 when he came to Freeborn, Freeborn county. Soon after he took a claim on section 35, town of Byron where he now lives. The date of this settlement was May 27, 1857. He worked at the carpenter and joiner trade in Byron, Freeborn, and Wilton for several years, putting up a number of frame buildings for the early settlers. He went with James D. Andrews and D. Skinner to Superior, Wisconsin, in the spring of 1861, where they worked until the next summer.
He returned in the summer of 1862, and in August enlisted in Company F, Fifth Minnesota infantry. He participated in many battles, being wounded at the second battle of Corinth. He served until September, 1865, when he was mustered out at Fort Snelling with all the honors of war.
He married Sarah Horning, Jan. 1, 1867, and they immediately com- menced housekeeping on their farm .- They are the parents of five chil- dren: Clarence E., born Jan. 4, 1868; Albertus M., born March 12, 1869; Vilmer E., born March 20, 1872; Bertrice M., born March 19, 1874, and Claude A., born August 18, 1877.
MISS LOVICA SMITH IN THE JAUNARY STORM OF 1873.
In the afternoon of Jan. 7, 1873, a very mild day, dark clouds gathered in the west, and about 3 o'clock the wind commenced blowing a gale from the northwest, producing a rapid change in the temperature, and at the same time the air became filled with fine snow which was driven with great force into every opening, however small, by the terrific fury of the howling blast. The sun was soon hidden from view, and darkness settled upon the earth like a funeral pall, bringing with it intense cold, made doubly severe by the driving, penetrating force of the wind. This most terrible storm in the history of the state since its first settlement by white men continued throughout Wednesday, Wednesday night, and un- til Thursday about midnight. It was one of those intensely furious storms which once in a while visit this high northern latitude. The remembrance of it is retained by the old settlers and constitutes the theme of their con- versation upon each succeeding similar occasion. The fierce blasts of the Storm King, on this occasion, deposited snow in vast quantities over the whole Northwest, making a winding sheet for many of the men, wo- men and children that were caught in its icy embrace. No pen can fully
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
describe the terriffic death-chill of the fifty-six hours during which this storm raged.
In the history of Waseca county, printed in 1887, by the Union Pub- lishing company appears the following:
"The day opened as a pleasant one, and many people had taken advan- tage of it to go to town, or to visit neighbors. It so happened that Alfred C. Smith, then living on section 5, Woodville township, had gone over to the farm where his father had settled, about a mile away, with his team. About the time the storm had got well under way, his daughter Lovica, born in this county and about seventeen years of age, who had been washing clothes, threw a shawl over her head, and taking a little brother with her, went out and up the road looking for her father. For part of the way the grove on the west side of the road shut off the gale, and she did not realize that the storm was of any unusual character. Coming to the end of the grove the brother ran back, but she pushed on, nothing daunted, thinking that she must soon meet her father. But thinly clad, no wrap around her except a light cotton shawl thrown over her head and held together by her naked hands, she soon became aware that she must turn back or perish from the cold, for the wind that swept down upon her was of Arctic severity. Retracing her steps, blinded by the whirling, drifting snow, confused by the savage fury of the wind, she took the wrong road where the two crossed and wandered on across the bleak prairie, death staring her in the face. Battling bravely sne pushed on, her limbs chilled by the cold, her form growing weak beneath the merci- less pelting of the storm, until she reached the grove near the house of Obadiah Powell, where she halted but a moment, when, knowing that it was death to stop, she pushed on, and spying a light, made her way to Mr. Powell's house. So confused was she, so bewildered by the blizzard, and unhinged by the tension upon her nerves, that she did not know for a few moments where she was nor who were the friends she had stumbled upon. But soon the genial hospitality of Mrs. Powell, the light and warmth of the room restored her, and she was made comfortable until the storm abated."
THE HONORABLE WARREN SMITH.
This worthy pioneer was born in Barnstable county, Mass., Nov. 15, 1821. His father's name was Amasa Smith. Warren grew to manhood in his native county and attended the public schools of the neighborhood until the age of sixteen, when he learned the trade of boat builder. Be- tween poat building and wrecking he employed his time until 1855-6. In the mean time, 1853, he married Miss Susan E. Johnson, of Provincetown, Mass. They came to Minnesota in 1856 and resided in Faribault. Mr. Smith and his brother-in-law, J. S. Fuller, engaged in the mercantile busi- ness at that place. In the winter of 1856-7, he came to the then village of St. Mary, in this county, purchased the general stock of merchandise of Chamberialn, Bailey & Co., and entered into the mercantile business
. .
HON. WARREN SMITH.
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
in that village. He remained in business in St. Mary until 1862, when he was appointed assistant sutler of the Tenth Minnesota infantry, and accompanied the Sibley expedition in pursuit of the Sioux Indians in 1863.
Prior to this time he had also become a member of the Wilton firm of J. W. Johnson & Co., which carried a large stock of general merchandise in the village of Wilton. About 1863 he moved his family to Wilton where they resided until 1870 when they came to Waseca.
He was elected to the house of representatives and served during the session of 1869. In 1870, upon the retirement of Captain Comee from the office of county auditor, Mr. Smith was appointed by the county board to fill out the unexpired term. In 1873, he was elected county treasurer by a majority of over six hundred votes. He was twice re-elected, thus serving as treasurer six years. In 1881, when Waseca first became a city, he was elected mayor, and served one year. He declined a re-elec- tion and the common council, upon his retirement, unanimously adopted the following resolution :
"Whereas, the retirement of our esteemed fellow citizen, the Hon. War- ren Smith, from the office of mayor of the city of Waseca, presents a suitable opportunity of expressing the esteem in which we hold him, as a faithful and courteous public servant, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the common council of the city of Waseca tender him a vote of thanks for the impartial and faithful performance of his duties as such mayor in having the laws and ordinances of the city duly enforced during his term of office, and for the appointment of competent and faithful persons to the several offices of the city during his said term as mayor."
From that time to the close of his life he steadfastly refused to accept any office, though often urged to do so.
His children were Minnie M., Mary L., George W., and Charles A. Min- nie and George both died soon after reaching womanhood and manhood. Miss Mary L. and Hon. Charles A., only survivors of the family, reside in the city of Waseca.
In religion Mr. Smith was a Universalist, and in all that goes to make up a true Christian life he was pre-eminent. In every calling of life, he was scrupulously honest, truthful, kind, charitable. He made no loud professions, but his everyday life was a living, practical sermon of good works. He was a member of the Masonic organizations, of this county, as high as Knight Templar, and was a true and worthy brother in all the relations of life.
He visited the Pacific coast in the winter of 1892-3, where he was taken with influenza, from the effects of which he never recovered. His death had been long expected, by both himself and family, and his departure was quiet and peaceful. He expressed, a few days before his demise, his entire readiness for the change, and his desire to depart as soon as pos- sible. He was a grand, good man, and a true friend.
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
MR. NOAH LINCOLN
and family were among the early settlers of the county. Mr. Lincoln and his wife were representative pioneers. Mr. Lincoln was born in the state of New York, June 16, 1822. He came as far west as Michigan when a young man. He and Emma S. Davis were married Dec. 7, 1844. She was horn Dec. 19, 1826. They came to Minnesota in 1855 and first took a claim in Fillmore county which they sold the same fall, and in 1856 came to Waseca county and bought the claim of Chris Scott-the place where the Messrs. Carmody now reside, in Wilton. This farm they sold to Mr. John Carmody and then bought a farm on section 1, in Wilton, where they resided until the time of Mr. Lincoln's death which occurred March 23, 1875. They had a family of eight children: Maria W., born Oct. 13, 1845, died In Rochester; Francis M., born July 4, 1847, died April 7, 1865, in the army at Mound City, Ill .; Charles F., born Sept. 9, 1849, died recently of consumption, in Oregon; F. A., born Dec. 11, 1851, died the following August; Eiva V., born July 13, 1853, married and resides at Mankato; Louisa J., born Nov. 20, 1855, died July 8, 1887; Mina A., born Nov. 19, 1855, died March 30, 1862; Ida V., now Mrs. H. M. Buck, born April 4, 1862. During the winter of 1856-7, times were hard and this family, like the most of their neighbors, had to live on buckwheat flour ground in a coffee mill, and on corn meal made in a mortar with a pestle.
MR. JACKSON TURNACLIFF
was among the very young men who came West in 1855. Mr. Ferdinand Turnacliff, father of Jackson and Dellevan, was born in the state of New York, Sept. 11, 1813. He lived for some years in Jefferson county, N. Y., while a young man, but finally moved to the state of Ohio when that state was in "the far West." His wife, Maria, was also a New Yorker, born April 4, 1812. She died Dec. 6, 1862. Five children were born to them; Jackson, May 6, 1835: Amelia Ann, deceased, horn Jan. 2, 1837; Dellevan, born Sept, 30, 1838; Sally M., deceased, born August 27, 1842; Matilda, now Mrs. J. M. Dunn, born March 16, 1848; and Seymour, who was born May 8, 1851, and died Jan. 17, 1854. Jackson came from Ohio to Iowa in the fall of 1855. In December 1855, in company with "Doc" Ambrose Kellogg and William Young, the last a Scotchman, he came from Jackson county, Iowa, to Minnesota most of the way on Norwegian snow shoes, arriving at the Sutlief farm, in Wilton, on the last day of December, 1855. He took a claim on section 7, Otisco, where he made his future home. He returned to Ohio in 1858 and married Miss Lucia E. Barber, who was born in Ohio Feb. 6, 1839. They were married August 25, 1858, and at once came to their home in Minnesota. The Turnacliffs were well supplied with money and experienced few of the real hardships endured by most of the early settlers. NIne children were born unto Jackson and Lucia: Minnie D., June 6, 1859; Lolah M., Jan. 26, 1861; Elsie L., Oct. 26, 1863; Linna M., Dec. 6, 1865, deceased; Laura M., Aug.
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
9, 1867; Ferdinand, April 26, 1872; Walter D., May 1, 1876; J. B., Sept. 5, 1880; Rill, May 1, 1885.
Dellevan ("Tip") Turnacliff came to Minnesota with his father and sis- ters ahout 1863 and settled with them in Wilton where, at this time, 1904, he still owns an excellent farm. He and Miss Maggie Brisbane were mar- ried some years later and now reside in Waseca.
MR. JOHN DORAN,
one of the really honest men that have lived in Waseca county, was born in Ireland, June 20, 1829. He left his native land for America, Dec. 11, 1851. He landed in New York and worked as a laborer in that state, living the greater part of the time in Erie county where he remained until ahout 1855. He and Catharine Kohl were married March 16, 1855, and became the parents of fourteen children, nine of whom reached adult years. The family came West in 1856, residing for a time in Wisconsin .. They came to Minnesota in 1865, and finally settled on section 33, in the town of Wilton. John Doran was a man absolutely honest. For several. years he worked a farm on shares, and so honest was he found to he that the proprietor used to allow him to thresh and divide the grain himself and bring it to market, contrary to all custom. He was quite deaf for many years and finally met a tragic death. On the 11th of July 1891, he was thrown in front of his mowing machine and run over, re- ceiving injuries from which he died on the 17th of the same month.
MR. JAMES A. ROOT
was one of the pioneers of the West. He was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., Feh. 26, 1832. While yet a hoy his parents removed to Ellicott- ville, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., where his mother died. His father's name was Joseph N. Root, and he died April 12, 1869, aged sixty-eight years and eight months, being a resident of the town of Byron at the time of his death. James A. came to Waseca county in 1859, his father and other relatives coming later. Miss Hannah Brisbane, daughter of the late Hon. William Brisbane, of Wilton, was married to James A. Root, Dec. 12, 1859. Mrs. Root was born in New York state, Delaware county, August 18, 1840. Ten children were born to them: Charles E., Feb. 27, 1861; Wm. L., Jan. 29, 1863; Joseph S., April 16, 1865; Cora B., Aug. 26, 1867; Hattie M., March 4, 1870; James A., May 22, 1872; Maggie J., May 31, 1873; Freddie, July 2, 1877; Dora E., March 14, 1879, and Marvin L., Oct. 9, 1880. Freddie died August 24, 1877, and Marvin died Feb. 22, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Root were among the first to plant a forest of trees about the house and harn. Their timber lot shows what may he done in the way of providing timber and fuel for the future. Mr. Root died August 23, 1891.
MR. REZIN NELSON,
of Wilton, was born in Crawford county, Pa., Dec. 16, 1837. At the age
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
of twelve years he moved with his parents to Wisconsin. His father was a lawyer and died in the Badger state. In 1857, Rezin visited this county with his brother-in-law, James D. Andrews, but soon returned. August 9, 1862, he enlisted in the Thirty-second Wisconsin infantry and served until October, 1863, when he was discharged and came to Wilton where he farmed until Feb. 2, 1865, when he again enlisted, this time in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and went immediately to Chattanooga, Tenn. Here he remained until the close of the war. He then returned to Min- nesota, and on the 18th of March, 1866, he married Miss Rhoda A. Sutlief, daughter of Asa G. Sutlief, deceased, the first white man to open a farm or settle in Waseca county. Rhoda was born in the town of Herman, Dodge county, Wisconsin, Sept. 18, 1848. She came to this county with her father when she was only six years of age and when the whole county was an unbroken wilderness of prairie and woodland. Mr. and Mrs. Nel- son are the parents of seven children, born on the following dates: Lee B., Dec. 31, 1868; Rezin Jr., Feb. 15, 1871; Clarence W., April 13, 1873; Mary, Jan. 22, 1876; Roy, Sept. 23, 1878; Volney F., Feh. 10, 1881; Nellie D., Aug. 20, 1884, and Rex, March 5, 1887. Mary died Feb. 22, 1882, and Volney died Feb. 5, 1882, two deaths the same month.
MR. WILLIAM RODDLE,
born June 2, 1822, in "Old England," came to America in 1840. He first stopped in Cayuga county, N. Y. From there he went to Onondaga county and thence to Tompkins county in the same state. From there he came West in 1844, and settled in Kenosha county, Wisconsin. In 1849 he married Mrs. Mary Green, a widow with three daughters. In the fall of 1860, he came to Wilton with his family and purchased a farm near the old village of Wilton. His wife bore him three children: Wm. H., born Dec. 28, 1850; Ben. F., horn April 9, 1854; and Ella, born Jan. 12, 1863. Mrs. Roddle died in Wilton, June 19, 1876. Miss Ella married Charles E. Root, Feb. 2, 1883. She became the mother of one son, Oren E., born Feb. 4, 1884. Her health was never of the best, and after a prolonged and se- vere illness, she died some three or four years after the birth of her child.
William H. Roddle learned the tinner's trade of P. C. Bailey, went to Brookings, S. D., some twenty-five years ago, engaged in the hardware business, was finally elected secretary of state of South Dakota, for two terms, and is now practicing law in company with Philo Hall, his half sister's son, who was also a Waseca boy. Benjamin F. is also a resi- dent of South Dakota.
Dec. 17, 1879, Mr. William Roddle married Miss Emily M. Loder, who was born in Wisconsin October 26, 1852. Her father, John W. Loder, was also an early settler with his family in Wilton. Mr. Loder enlisted at the beginning of the Rebellion and died in 1862 while in the army. Mr. William hoddle died Nov. 9, 1889, He was one of our best citizens.
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
MR. BUEL WELSH,
was one of the noted men of this county among its early settlers. He was kind and humane at heart, much beyond the average of men. He was liberal to a fault. In sickness or want or sorrow, he was always ready and willing to extend a helping hand. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade and first lived in Faribault having come hither from Wisconsin in 1854. He made his appearance in Iosco, as a carpenter, in 1855, and set- tled in the village of Wilton in the fall of 1856. Soon after his settle- ment in Wilton, work in his line being slack, he commenced to read law and practiced before justices of the peace. He was quite illiterate, but he managed to pick up considerable knowledge of law, and often won his cases against some more pretentious practitioners. He had one sad fail- ing- alcoholism-which he could never overcome long at a time. On Saturday, April 24, 1886, he died suddenly in a neighbor's wagon while going from Alma City to his boarding place in Freedom township. With more favorable environments, he might have been a more useful citizen and enjoyed life to a greater extent. He was a good man at heart.
MR. A. J. WOODBURY,
came to Wilton in the fall of 1856 and built the first hotel in that place. His sons, George H., and Henry C., assisted in carrying on the hotel busi- ness until about 1882, when it was abandoned hy them. They also carried on a farm in connection with their hotel business. The old gentleman was a native of Beverly, Mass., and was born in 1808. The family lived for a time in New Orleans before coming to Wilton. A. J. Woodbury and Elizabeth Stratton were married in 1830, and only two sons were born to them. George H., enlisted in company F, Tenth Minnesota infantry, and served for three years. Henry C., a man of much "cheek" but small brain capacity, made up in self assurance what he lacked in ability, being at one time judge of the municipal court of Waseca. Henry finally went to Jamestown, North Dakota, where he died some years ago. George was the exact opposite of Henry. He was a man of ability and high character, yet modest and unassuming. After his return from the war, he married Miss Hannah Robbins, then of Otisco, and they now (1904) live in James- town, North Dakota.
MR. MICHAEL McGONAGLE, SEN.,
was one of the 1856 pioneer settlers in St. Mary where he still owns a valuable farm. He was born in Ireland, Sept. 10, 1825, and came to Ameri- ca, March 7, 1862. He and Margaret Gill, she being also a native of Ire- land, were married Oct. 10, 1855, and commenced farm life at once. They experienced many of the hardships and deprivations incident to frontier life, but overcame them all and enjoyed a competence at last. The fol- lowing named children were born to them: Michael, Jr., Mary Ann, Kate, Neil, Maggie, Hugh, John, William and Lizzie. Mrs. McGonagle died some years ago, and Mr. McGonagle, at this writing, 1904, is living with his
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY ..
daughter Lizzie, Mrs. Tim Donovan, in Waseca, enjoying the rest and comfort of a well spent life.
CHARLES W. AND JANE C. JOHNSTON,
were of the pioneers that came to this county in 1857. They located on section 13, St. Mary. Charles W. Johnston was born in Montpelier, Vt., March 9, 1834. Mrs. Johnston was born at Chelsea, Vt., Feb. 5, 1833. She is the daughter of Samuel Scribner, a native of Washington county, N. H. Her mother's name was Louisa Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Scribner had five children: Charles, who married Emma Horn; Geo. F., who married Abbie Chapman; Alzoa, who married S. D. Osterhout; Mary A., and Jane C. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston were married April 5, 1857. Five children were born to them: Nellie M. L., August 7, 1858; Alma S., May 22, 1860; Charles F., April 17, 1863; Willard C., June 29, 1866; and George S., May 28, 1869. Charles F. died March 25, and George, March 31, 1873, of scarlet fever and diphtheria. Charles W. Johnston, the father, died in California, Feb. 17, 1899, as elsewhere noted in this book.
MESSRS. WILLIAM AND JOHN PRIEBE,
brothers, both deceased, came from Prussia and settled in St. Mary as early as 1860. Both were single men. Wm. Priebe married Miss Augusta Prechel, who came to Minnesota in 1855 with her brother, Gottlieb Prachel. They were the parents of five sons and two daughters-all living but one, Gust Priebe, who was accidently killed in 1903, in Renville county, by a passing railroad passenger train.
William settled on section 22, town of St. Mary. John settled on section 10 in the same town, where he and his wife, by very hard work and close economy, saved quite a fortune. His wife's maiden name was Caroline Vondrie. John died in 1872. Wm. Mittelsteadt married his widow about a year later, and she died June 19, 1880. John Priehe left three children: August, who owns a large farm in St. Mary; William J., who lives in Waseca and deals in farm machinery; and Amelia, wife of Julius Mittel- steadt. August Priebe who owns the old homestead married Molvena Krienke, a native of this county, June 16, 1887. She is the daughter of August and Henrietta Krienke, of St. Mary.
MR. DANIEL T. BALLARD,
was born in England, Oct. 16, 1839. He is one of three brothers, all of whom settled in Waseca county at an early day. They came to America in 1856. Daniel worked his way West and arrived in Waseca county in 1858. He resided first in Iosco. He enlisted in Company F, Eighth Min- nesota regiment in the fall of 1862, and was discharged the same year for disability at Ft. Snelling. In 1866, with D. A. Erwin and others, he made an overland trip to Montana, with ox teams. He returned in Nov. 1872, and settled in St. Mary. On the 17th of June, 1873. he married Miss Josephine Brossard, who was also one of the early settlers of the county.
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
Mr. Brossard was a very successful farmer. He sold his farm here some years ago and removed to the state of Washington, where he and his family now reside.
THE ERWINS.
Mr. P. A. Erwin was one of the aged men that came to Waseca county at an early period in its history. P. A. Erwin was born in the Green Mountain State, in 1797, and served his country as a soldier in the War of 1812-15 with Great Britain. His wife, Jane Erwin, was born in Ireland. She was a sister of Rev. James Erwin who was quite a noted Methodist minister in Northern New York about 1833. P. A. Erwin and his family settled in St. Mary about 1863. Mrs. Jane Erwin passed to the Great Beyond in September, 1867. Her husband lived to the age of ninety-two, when he, too, joined the silent dead, honored and respected by all who knew him.
D. A. Erwin, son of P. A., was born in the state of New York, Ang. 4, 1839. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Ninety-eighth New York infantry, and served until May 1863, when he was honorably dis- charged for disability. He remained in the state of New York until 1864, when he came to this county and joined his parents in St. Mary. In 1866, in company with D. T. Ballard and others, he made a trip to Montana with ox teams in search of gold. After three years of unsatisfactory toil in Montana, he returned to this county where he has since made his home. He married Miss Orrilla Ketchum, daughter of Rev. Alvin Ketchum, de- ceased, Sept. 15, 1870. Mrs. Erwin is one of the pioneer girls of Minne- sota, having come with her parents in 1856. They are the parents of nine children: Sidney, born Sept. 15, 1871, died Oct. 11, 1873; Clande, born March 26, 1873; Stanley, May 1, 1875; Grant, April 26, 1877; Roland, Jan. 27, 1879; Eugene, Jan. 17, 1882; Ray, Nov. 29, 1886; Ruth and Ruby (twins,) born Oct. 7, 1890. Ruth died March 13, 1900. The Erwins are ot Revolutionary stock. D. A. Erwin's grandfather, David, who was born at Castleton, N. J., 1758, was four years in the Revolutionary War as a pri- vate; in the War of 1812 he was captain of a company and served until the close of the contest with Great Britain. His father, P. A., served in the War of 1812, and participated in the battle of Plattsburg, Sept. 11, 1814, where the British under General Prevost and Admiral Downie, were defeated by the Americans under Gen. Macomb and Admiral McDonough.
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