From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 840-842
 
WILLIAM A. ERWIN.  In all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship, 
William A. ERWIN, farmer of Darien township, Walworth county, is a notable 
example and none stands higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the 
community.  His career has been characterized by duty faithfully performed, 
and by industry, thrift and wisely directed efforts he has acquired a liberal 
share of this world's goods, besides earning a reputation which has never been 
clouded by the commission of a single unworthy act, for he believes in making 
the Golden Rule his guide in everyday life and in assisting his neighbors and 
friends on the onward march through the vales and over the steeps where the 
path of life leads for everyone.  Because of his generous and kindly nature, 
he has won and retained the good will and esteem of all who have contact with 
him.  He hails from the old Empire state, which great domain has sent such a 
vast horde of enterprising and worthy citizens of this and other sections of 
the great new West and reclaimed the same from the primeval state.
 
Mr. ERWIN was born on March 29, 1842, in Franklin county, New York, and he is 
the son of P. A. and Jane (ERWIN) ERWIN.  The father of the subject was a 
native of Vermont and he grew to manhood, married and spent the earlier part 
of his life in his native state and New York.  He came to Minnesota in 1862 
and settled in Waseca county, where he engaged in farming until his death.  He 
was a hard working man and led a quiet home life, not participating in public 
affairs.
 
To Mr. and Mrs. P. A. ERWIN eleven children were born, namely: David A., who 
lives in Minnesota; Eugene and Sydney make their home in Montana; James A. 
lives in Minnesota; Mrs. Catherine BALLARD lives in Minnesota; William A., of 
this review; Fin is deceased.  The other five of the family reside in Adams 
county, Wisconsin, P. A. ERWIN being dead.
 
William A. ERWIN came west with his parents in 1862, being then twenty years 
of age, having grown to manhood and received his education in Franklin county, 
New York.  She was married on July 31, 1866 to Amanda R. LOCKWOOD.  Six 
children were born to them, namely: Lee Lewis, deceased; Rena R., deceased; 
Cora WILDAY lives at Cumberland, Wisconsin; Nanie BARDENEO, who resides in 
Kansas; Allen N. ERWIN lives in Chicago; Amanda MILLS lives in Watertown, 
South Dakota.  Mr. ERWIN remained in the state of Minnesota for a period of 
twenty-two years engaged in general faring, developing a fine farm there and 
making a success of his chosen life work.  Selling out his farm there, he came 
to Wisconsin and settled at Delavan Lake, Walworth county, where he ran a 
resort for about nine years, which became a favorite gathering place each 
summer for hundreds of tourists and visitors to the beautiful lake region, his 
place being known as Strow's Park, the present location of Woodlawn Bay 
Hotel.  He sold out to August MELGES, who still runs the place.  Mr. ERWIN 
then went to Green Lake, Walworth county, where he resumed farming, remaining 
there about thirteen years, with his usual success as a husbandman, then he 
located at Turtle Lake, where he continued farming for about three years, then 
sold out and bought a farm in Darien township.  It consisted of one hundred 
acres, and here he was repaid with abundant harvests from year to year for his 
patient industry, having improved one of the best farms in this part of the 
county.  On October 25, 1911, he moved to Adams county, locating ten miles 
north of Kilbourne City, which is his present home, being a pleasant location.
 
Mr. ERWIN was married the second time on September 21, 1875, to Susie HIGGINS, 
daughter of Richard and Ann HIGGINS, of Minnesota, whose family consisted of 
nine children.  Mr. HIGGINS is now deceased, and his widow lives in 
Janesville, Waseca county, Minnesota.
 
To Mr. and Mrs. ERWIN eleven children were born, named as follows: Jannette, 
now Mrs. G. I. SAUNDERS, of Lagrange, Wisconsin; Ethel May; Elizabeth is 
deceased; Honard R., Wilbur E., Bennie H., Dale William; George S. is 
deceased; Bruce H.; the next child, a daughter, died in infancy; Marian was 
the youngest.
 
Politically Mr. ERWIN is a Republican, but he has never been specially active 
in public affairs.  He is a member of the Presbyterian church.
 
[Transcriber's note - Kilbourne is now called Wisconsin Dells.]
 
Submitted by Carol