My Genealogy Hound

Dr. M. M. Erwin, physician, surgeon and planter, is a native of East Tennessee, having been born in Knox County, June 8, 1849. His parents were Wade H. and Melinda (Kincade) Erwin, of Tennessee, where their parents came from Virginia about 1812. The grandfathers on both sides, of English and Irish descent, were soldiers in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Mr. Erwin’s father was a planter and mechanic, who, in 1852, came with his family to Independence, then to Lawrence County, and settled a large farm near Smithville, where he lived till his death, in 1882, his wife having died about three years previous. He served four years in the late war; was twice discharged and returned, and closed his military career after Price’s raid through Missouri. Five of his sons were in the Confederate service, all of whom survived without a wound. Our subject’s parents were consistent members of the Baptist Church, and his father an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, a strong temperance man, an active Democrat in politics, and served as justice of the peace several terms. The subject of this sketch, a highly-esteemed citizen of Auvergne, came to this State thirty-seven years ago. He was reared to farm life, spending his school days in the common schools of Arkansas. In 1868 he began the study of medicine, under Dr. Bevens, of Batesville, Ark.; was with him several years, when he began the practice of his profession in Lawrence, Craighead, Independence, Cross, and Jackson Counties. In 1873 he married Miss Kitty A. Wright, daughter of George W. and Liddia (Oldham) Wright, natives of Kentucky. Living in Lawrence County four years, he moved to Bower’s Ridge, where he engaged in farming and stock raising, in connection with his practice, remaining ten years. In November, 1886, he removed to Auvergne, purchased farm and town property, and in March, 1886, associated with Dr. G. D. Clements in practice, and also in the conduct of the drug business, in which connection he still continues. Dr. Erwin is the ninth of a family of eleven children, and himself has a family of five living: Willie Lee, Claude Mayo, Ira H., Dovie and Josie R.; those who died were Alabama, George A. and May. He is a member of Newport Lodge No. 71, I. O. O. F., is a Democrat in politics, but conservative, and himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He also takes an active part in support of schools, churches and public enterprises, and is thoroughly familiar with the development of the country since his residence here. He was one of the most liberal supporters of the Auvergne Academy, and one of the board to guarantee a support of that school until it should be made permanent. Dr. Erwin has a farm of 620 acres, 285 acres of which are cultivated. He was one of the first to prove that swamp lands could be successfully drained, and that small fruits could be successfully grown. One of his farms, the Wideman farm, was the first land cleared in the village, and it was done by the Indians.