My Genealogy Hound

William J. Erwin, an enterprising and prosperous farmer of Independence County, was born in Maury County, Tenn., on October 22, 1833. He is a son of Alexander K. and Elizabeth (Wilson) Erwin, of the same State. The paternal grandfather was an early settler of Tennessee, and a soldier in the War of 1812. His son, Alexander K., was reared in that State, and followed the occupation of a farmer until the spring of 1840, when he emigrated to Independence County, Ark., making the entire journey with his family in wagons. He located in Washington Township, where he entered a tract of land in the woods, upon which he lived until 1870, when he moved to Batesville, where he lived up to the time of his death, in 1872, his wife following him six years later. They were the parents of seven children, of whom three are still living: William J., Laura, wife of Dr. D. C. Ewing, and Martha, wife of Clinton McGuire. William J. Erwin was only seven years of age when his parents arrived in Independence County, and he remained on the farm until he had reached his maturity, receiving in that time a fair education. In 1862 he enlisted in McCauley’s cavalry company, Seventh Regiment, and served in that body until the surrender. Mr. Erwin took part in all the principal engagements west of the Mississippi River, and, although displaying a recklessness in battle sometimes that was marvelous, he was never wounded or captured. After the surrender he came home and resumed his work on the farm, starting in with a determination to make that his business and to be successful at it. He has never aspired to be a politician, and rather shuns the notoriety that public office would bring - the only position he would ever consent to tilling being that of judge of election. In 1871 he moved to where he now resides, within one mile of Batesville, and in 1873 built a fine residence. He owns altogether about 1,000 acres, and has some 650 acres under cultivation, of which 550 acres are situated in Oil Trough Bottom, being some of the most valuable land in that section, and adapted to any growth. Mr. Erwin raises corn, cotton and hay, also cattle, sheep and hogs. In 1866 he was married to Miss Cornelia Glenn, by whom he had six children, three of them yet living: William A., M. E. and Nellie. His wife died after a happy married life of fourteen years, and he was united to Miss Ida Lipscomb, of Maury County, Tenn., on June 26, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Erwin are members of the Presbyterian Church, and the former belongs to the Royal Arch Masons, and in politics is a Democrat.