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 OHN W. GWIN, the proprietor of a good
farm on section 31, Hutton Township, has
been favorably known to the people of this
locality since the spring of 1877. He then
commenced as a young man to build up his present
homestead, in which he has succeeded admirably,
and is also carrying on a good business at blacksmithing in the shop erected on his land. He has
a fine family, a comfortable home, and enjoys the
esteem and respect of his neighbors. Our subject spent his early years in Highland County, Va., where his birth took place Aug. 7, 1853. His parents, John and Margaret (Friel) Gwin, were natives of Bath County, Va., and after their marriage continued on a farm in their native State until 1871, when they removed with their family to this county and located in Hutton Township, where they have since resided. The parental household included nine children: Rhoda A., now deceased ; Charles II., John W.; Luella S., deceased; James, George II., Warwick II., Nannie J. and Elizabeth I. With the exception of the youngest daughter all married and had families. John W. Gwin during his youth and childhood attended the subscription schools of his native county, and when a youth of seventeen migrated northwest, and coining to this county engaged on a farm by the month and afterward rented land, in the meantime saving what he could of his earnings until he was enabled to purchase eighty acres on section 1. where he now resides. He was married, Oct. 15, 1871, to Miss Martha I., daughter of Redick and Susan (Parker) Cartwright, who was born in Coles County, March 1, 1854. Her father was a native of South Carolina, and her mother of Illinois. The latter is still living, but the former is deceased. Mr. Gwin after his marriage operated the farm of his father-in-law until 1877. Of his union with Miss Cartwright there have been six children, namely, Sarah A., who was born July 30, 1873, and died August 24 of the same year; Eddie O., born Jan. 25, 1875, and died Sept. 7, 1878; Mary L., born Jan. 14, 1876; Pleasant E., burn April 13, 1878, and died Sept. 3, 1879; Zoa Aner was born Jan. 20, 1880, and Smith E., May 24, 1883. Mr. Gwin has served as Constable of his township three years, and belongs to the I. O. R. M., Minneliaha Tribe No. 19, at Ashrnore. Mrs. Gwin is a member of the United Brethren Church. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Robert Gwin by name, was a native of Virginia, where he remained during his childhood and youth, and where he was married to Miss Sarah Lockridge, also a native of the Old Dominion. Their eight children were Joseph, Andrew; Samuel, the only one surviving; Robert, Jane, Margaret, Molly and William. His first wife died in middle life, and he was then married to Miss Betsey McCraig, of Virginia, who became the mother of six children, namely, Sarah, Renwick, Catherine, David, Blackburn and John. The youngest son and David are the only children living of this marriage. Grandfather Gwin died in Virginia in about 1840. His last wife survived him several years. The father of our subject was the youngest child of his father’s second marriage, and was born in Bath County, which is now a part of Highland County, Va., May 1, 1827. He was bred to farm life and received a limited education. After the death of his father he remained on the homestead with his mother during her lifetime, both parents having, died before he was twenty years of age. Soon after reaching his majority he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Eriel, the wedding taking place Dec. 14, 1848. Mrs. Gwin was a native of the same county as her husband, and was born Nov. 16, 1826. Her parents, William and Jane (Stewart) Eriel, were also natives of Bath County. Her father died in 1843, when fifty-seven years of age, and the mother, who was born Jan. 1 , 1796, survived him for a period of thirty-three years, her death taking place in Upshur County, W. Va., March 16, 1876. John Gwin after his marriage continued farming in his native State until becoming a resident of Putnam Township, this county, to which he removed in 1871. Here he has carried on agriculture successfully and is numbered among the highly respected citizens of Coles County. The father of Mrs. Gwin of our sketch, was born in South Carolina, Sept. 25, 1793, and was three times married. His last wife was formerly Miss Susan Parker, a native of this State, born Jan. 1, 1823. She is still a widow, and lives with her brother, John Parker, in North Okaw Township. Of her union with Redick Cartwright there were born six children, namely, Rachel H., who died in infancy; Martha I., the wife of our subject; Edmund, a resident of North Okaw Township; Willis B., Amanda M. and Mandilla. The three youngest died in infancy. |
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