ANDREW J. GWINN
No
history of the pioneer settlement of Iowa would be complete
without mention of Andrew J. Gwinn, who is the first settler
of Wayne county, now living, dating his resident in that
section of the state from 1850, but he now makes his home in
Lucas. Throughout
the intervening years he has seen the prairies transformed
into fertile farms, cities established, business institutions
founded and a frontier wilderness transformed into a
prosperous and populous state.
He has not only been a witness of this growth and
development but has also contributed in a large measure to the
work of upbuilding and is so familiar with pioneer conditions,
having in his possession all of the data pertaining to the
earlier settlements, that he has made some valuable
contributions to the Lucas county historical records.
Andrew J. Gwinn was born near Eddyville, Wapello county, Iowa, July 6, 1849, and is a son of Samuel K. and Cynthia Gwinn, the former of whom was born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, in 1827, and the latter in Fayette county, that state, in the same year. The father passed away in Wayne county, Iowa, in 1891, and is survived by his wife, who makes her home in Wayne county, where she was the first settler who is still living. Andrew J. Gwinn represents the third generation of his family in this section of the state, his father and grandfather having been early settlers. They came to what is now section 5, Richman township, Wayne county, in the fall of 1850. Pioneer conditions prevailed everywhere at that time. Wild deer roamed in the forests, the howling of wolves could be heard by night and all kinds of wild game abounded everywhere. Raw prairies stretched for miles in all directions, broken only by sparse settlements, the trading points being Eddyville, Ottumwa and Burlington. There were no railroads and the Indians were numerous on the plains and prairies and at times dangerous, although they always evidenced warm friendships for the members of the Gwinn family. The overland western trail was near the place where the father and grandfather settled and thousands of emigrant wagons passed near their home, westward bound, during their earlier years. Both became prominent and successful farmers and the father lived to see a great deal of the state development, being at the time of his death a representative and substantial citizen. In the Gwinn family were eleven children: Andrew J., of this review, John H., who died in 1853; Virginia C., who passed away in Richman township in 1853; Mary E., who died at the age of eleven years; James M. and Sarah E., both of whom passed away in 1860; Byron, whose death occurred in 1910; Mrs. Rachel Snook, residing in Derby, Iowa; Mrs. Irene Lowe, whose home is in Union township; Mrs. M. Davidson, of Richman township; and Samuel K., who died in 1859.
Amid
the pioneer conditions above described Andrew J. Gwinn grew to
manhood, having been only one year of age when he was brought
to Iowa. He
attended the Garden Grove public schools at a time when most
of the schoolhouses were built of logs. His childhood was
spent upon his father’s farm and after he grew to maturity he
began farming for himself, following this occupation since
that time. In
1880 he took up his residence in Jackson township, Lucas
county, and here he has since resided. Success and
prosperity have rewarded his laudable ambition and well
directed labor and he now has a comfortable home on section
28, wherein he is passing his declining years. He has traveled
over practically all of Lucas county and southern Iowa and is
well known throughout the state to which he came as a pioneer.
On
March 6, 1870, Mr. Gwinn married Miss Mary E. Sayres, who was
born in Coshocton county, Ohio, February 28, 1850. She is a daughter
of Amos and Jane (Norris) Sayres, the former of whom was born
in New York in 1827 and the latter in Coshocton county. They came to Union
township, Lucas county, in 1854, and here both passed away,
the mother dying in 1900 and the father in 1912. In their family
were the following children:
Mary E., the wife of the subject of this review; John,
whose home is in Union township; William, a resident of
Harrisburg, Illinois; Zim, who lives upon the old home farm in
Union township; Ida, deceased; and Mrs. Snook, residing south
of Derby. To Mr.
and Mrs. Gwinn were born nine sons, of whom the second and
third sons, Luther and Omar, died in infancy. Those who survive
are: Enos, whose
home is in Richman township; Amos K., C. C., Arthur, Everett,
and Floyd and Lloyd, twins, all of whom reside in Jackson
township. Of
these children C. C. was born in Richman township and all of
the others in Union township.
Mr. Gwinn formerly gave his allegiance to the republican party but for a number of years past has voted independently. He has ever taken an active part in public affairs, being especially interested in the history of the county, and his labors have done much to promote public progress as well as individual prosperity. Throughout the long years of his residence in this part of the state he has enjoyed to the fullest extent the good-will and trust of those with whom he has come in contact. Strong in his honor and in his good name, he has long been a prominent and influential citizen here, his labors being of practical benefit in the upbuilding and development of the county. His name is inseparably associated with its history and his example is one well worthy of emulation.