WILSON ERVIN

Wilson Ervin, a successful and well known agriculturist of Springdale township, is the owner of a highly improved farm of one hundred and ninety acres on section 30. His birth occurred in County Down, Ireland, on the 15th of August, 1868, his parents being David and Margaret (Wilson) Ervin, who were likewise natives of that place. The year 1880 witnessed their emigration to the new world and for four years the family home was maintained in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The father was actively identified with general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career and he passed away in Johnson county, Iowa, in1894, when sixty-eight years of age. The mother still survives, however, and now makes her home at Downey, this state. Their children were six in number, as follows: David and Alexander, both of whom are deceased; Margaret, who lives with her mother; William James, a resident of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; John, who died in infancy; and Wilson, of this review.

The last named was a youth of twelve when he came to the United states with his parents and four years later accompanied them to Oklahoma, where the family resided for about twelve months. In1885 our subject came to Iowa with his parents, who located on a farm in Muscatine county, situated a mile and a half south of Downey on the Cedar county line. He early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops, and the work of the fields has always claimed his attention. After living in Muscatine county for four years he carried on agricultural pursuits in Johnson county for a period of seven years and then took up his abode on his present farm, to the operation of which he has devoted his time and energies continuously since. The property adjoins Downey on the north and comprises one hundred and ninety acres on section 30, Springdale township. Mr. Ervin has placed many substantial improvements thereon and has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation. In connection with the tilling of the soil he also devotes considerable attention to the breeding of shorthorn cattle and both branches of his business have proved a gratifying source of remuneration to him. He assisted in the organization of the Downey Savings Bank and has since been a director thereof.

In January, 1899, Mr. Ervin was united in marriage to Miss Helena Korthels, who was born in Missouri on the 13th of August, 1874, and was reared in Oklahoma and Kansas. Her parents, Carl F. and Caroline J. (Krage) Korthels, both natives of Germany, came to the United States about 1873 and now reside in Oklahoma. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ervin have been born four children, namely: Carl, Elizabeth, Earl and Wilson, Jr.

Fraternally Mr. Ervin is identified with the Woodmen of the World at Downey and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at West Liberty, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. During his residence in this community he has gained many warm friends, who hold him in high regard because of his true worth and sterling characteristics.