Ervin, William E.

ERVIN, PATTON, FETTRO, MARTIN, MOBERLY, DONAHEV

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/12/2009 at 14:03:15

William E. Ervin, the well known, efficient and popular Steward of the Jasper County Poor Farm, located in Buena Vista Township, is one or the worthy citizens that has been furnished this community by Highland County, Ohio. He was there born October 21, 1831, and is a son of John and Mary (Patton) Ervin, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Kentucky. In his parents' home our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth and was reared to agricultural pursuits. He early became familiar with all the duties of farm life, and in the summer months aided in the labors of the field, while in the winter months he acquired his education in the primitive log schoolhouse. The seats in that abode of learning were made of rough slabs resting on wooden legs, and a board laid across pins inserted in the wall served as a writing desk for the older scholars.

Mr. Ervin lost his mother by death when he was a lad of eleven years, and his father died when he was eighteen years of age. He was then not only thrown upon his own resources, but as he was the eldest of the family he had to assume the management of the farm and the care of the family. These duties he faithfully performed until he had attained to man's estate. He then chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Elziar Fettro, a native of West Virginia, and a daughter of John and Rebecca Fettro. Their union was celebrated on the 25th of November 1852, and has been blessed with six children: John, Mary, wife of Robert Martin, William H., Lillie M., wife of M. B. Moberly, Charles, and Louella, wife of E. S. Donahey.

In 1874, accompanied by his family, Mr. Ervin left his native state and removed west, locating in Jasper County, Iowa. For a short time he lived in Kellogg Township, and then removed to Buena Vista Township, where he has made his home continuously since, with the exception of two years. In 1888, he was appointed Steward of the Jasper County Poor Farm, which position he has now creditably and acceptably filled for a period of five consecutive years. He is also the owner of one hundred and forty acres of good land in Buena Vista Township, and this farm adds materially to his income. In his political views, Mr. Ervin is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, in the work and advancement of which they take an active interest. He is also a stalwart advocate of the cause of temperance and a promoter of every worthy enterprise, which tends to advance the best interests of the community and aid in the up building and development of the county. His life has been well and worthily passed, and from a financial standpoint may also be said to be a success. He deserves all the more credit for his prosperity, as it has been achieved through his own unaided efforts. He may truly be called a self-made man, and he is deserving of all the praise that term implies. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 311