Gwin, Elias

GWIN, FLACK

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 12/19/2012 at 08:48:17

The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa
Des Moines: Union Hist. Co., 1880.

GWIN, ELIAS - Bear Creek Twp - pg 835-6. Dealer in grain, coal, etc., Brooklyn. Was born in Holmes county, Ohio, January 27, 1834. His father, James Gwin, was an agriculturalist in that State. The Gwins were of Scotch and Irish lineage. James Gwin came to Poweshiek county with his family in 1850, being among the early settlers of Bear Creek township. Being among the pioneers they had many of the difficulties to contend with that are incident to the early settlement of a new country, such as long drives, and in those days deep snows were prevalent. Mr. James Gwin died in 1864. Our subject married, September 20, 1857, Miss Elizabeth Flack, of Ohio, Holmes county. By this union they have five children: Edward (deceased), A. F., S.B., Lillian Belle, James E. Mr. Gwin has been in the grain and coal trade since 1874; previous to that time he was engaged in various pursuits, confining his attention principally to farming and the stock trade. He has seen all of Brooklyn?s growth and development. Was the first mail agent between Brooklyn and Montezuma, the county at that time being very sparsely settled and comparatively barren. He is a member of the A.O.U.W. Mr. Gwin's grandfather, John Gwin, figured quite conspicuously in the Revolutionary War. He enlisted at the age of fourteen years as a drummer boy and was mustered out at its close as drum major. He built the first mill in Holmes county, Ohio, packing the material from Pennsylvania on the backs of mules.