Was born in Wayne county, Indiana, October 30, 1829. His parents, John and Elizabeth Platt Erwin, were natives of Delaware and of Scotch-English descent. They moved to Indiana in 1828. Young Erwin was brought up on a farm and received his education at the excellent schools in the neighborhood where he lived and received a good English education. In August, 1851, he married Miss Eliza Cabberly, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born in 1827. After marriage he was engaged in farming in Indiana till 1879, then moved to Missouri and located in Daviess county. Here he owns a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres. One child, Edwin P. Erwin, born December 28, 1852, has blessed their union.
Mr. Erwin has been a life-long Republican and glories in the name. He had no means when he was married but now is possessed of a fine home and is a highly esteemed and respected citizen. He devotes much of his time in the interests of education” and says the best investment he makes is when he pays his school tax.
He was reared a Hickite Quaker, but because he married out of the church was turned out, and is now very liberal in his religious views.