The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-20

ems. awarded the prize on strictly academic
lines. Afterward he was assured OF an ap-
pointment by President Lincoln. but a
physical trouble that developed then pre-
vented him going into the army except for
That gave him, however, a military record
and made him the envy Of the boys OF his
county.
In the summer of 1862 he paid a visit to
Cincinnati, a trip of three days at that
time. An uncle. who was superintendent
of the Pennsylvania Railroad, furnished
him with a pass, and another uncle well
coined him in Cincinnati. He was offered
a position as clerk in a wholesale dry goods
house by the uncle he was visiting and ac-
cepted. His employment began as an entry
clerk and ended as a partner In the sue
cessful house of Lockard, Ireland * Co.
1875, having amassed comfortable fortunes
and survived the ravages of the panic or
1873, intrusted their interests In the busi-
ness to Daniel p. Erwin. the junior part
ner.
With the keen perception and quick in
sight that was so often his aid 10 success.
he determined upon a change OF location
and removed the remaining stock to PEORIA
H., where in three years he established a
large business and excellent credit under
the firm name OF Erwin & Co. His ambi-
ton. however. had grown. and In the
spring Of 1880 he bought a controlling inter-
est In the largest wholesale dry goods busi-
ness in this city. In 1884 ne separated from
his associates and established the firm or
L. p. Erwin & Co., which has become al
most a nOQSenOlQ WOTQ IN the i've bdl
of which Indianapolis is a center. Mr.; Err
win not only was at the head OF one or the
largest single commercial enterprises In
the State, but became the owner or the
Denison Hotel property, which ownership
continued until his death.
He had other enterprises and business
an official connection with and large pc
cuniary interest in the National Tin Plate
Company. wit with ,s enormous plants l at AH wbsn
the United States Steel Corporation was
organized. Mr.. Erwin became a large hold
the Interstate S~tockyards Company, which
for some years was In successful oppose
ton to the Union stockyards. In minor
businesses he had large interests.
HIS CIVIC LIFE.
Although one of the largest taxpayers
in the State, Mr.. Erwin never held nor
ever sought public office. He was a con-
sistent Republican In politics from boy
hood, having been reared in q strong anti
slavery town that was active in terminat-
ing slavery on the north bank Of the Sus-
quehanna river, sixty miles from Balti-
more. He received during his active life
many overtures from the leaders OF his
party TO enter the arena Of political life,
but he always refused. He was once
threatened with the unsolicited nomination
for mayor of this city, during his absence
from home, but he telegraphed that he
could not serve IL elected" He was al
ways, however. an enterprising.. public
spirited citizen, always among the fore
most in all public work of a nonpartisan
character. He was liberal, broad-minded
and nonsectarian In his views as yell as
He served one term as president OF the
Beard Of Trade and was a governor for
ident of the Comercial Club, and for years
a director. He was n member OF the CO.
lumbia Club and a director. He belonged
to the University Club. the Maennerchor
and the German House.
PUBLIC-sPIRITED.
He was a man Of sound judgment. wide
Information and extraordinary energy. His
perception was quick and he reached a con-
clusion speedily. His manner was easy and
unobtrusive, and he was punctilious In his
engagements. He was active In secur-
ing for Indianapolis her present rank
and proud position as a city. Whenever a
time came to identify the city with matters
of national moment. or TO seize an oppor-
tunity for promoting the citys interests In
any way Mr., FrwIn vas ni~aSs amons me nc
money. his indomitable energy. his perse-
verance and his tact. IL Is his unwritten
history that would be of the keenest inter-
est. because he deprecated all efforts for
personal advancement and modestly con-
cealed acts of charity and public-spirited
endeavor.
At the age of twenty-three Mr.. Erwin
was married to Anna Barbara Seifert. sec
ond daughter OF Francis Seifert, a distin-
guished citizen and merchant Of Cincinnati.
She died May q, 1897. leaving three daugh-
tiers. Mrs. w. III. Coburn, Mrs. Morris
Towniey and Mrs. IL. p. Coburn, all OF this
city.
In April, 1901. Mr.. Erwin was married for
the second time TO Miss Demia Townley,
daughter of the late George T.. Townley.
Last December Mr.. Erwin's second daugh-
ter, Miss Hannah Erwin, was married TO
Morris Mcdonald Townley, a brother OF
Mrs. Erwin. The other daughters married
brothers, w. H. and III. T.. Coburn.
A LARGE ESTATE.
Estimates of the value of the estate left
by Mr. Erwin vary from $4,000 10 100000.
1t is the conservative belief that the es-
tate amounts TO at least $4,000. His taxes
last year on property in Center township
were paid on a valuation in real estate
of s229. 600, and in persona. property OF s2i.-
SOS. This year the ID. L. Erwin Company
was assessed at $1,000 and ID. p. Erwin
Mr.. Erwin was one OF the syndicate OF
five capitalists that bought the old post
office property from the government His
share In the property, is estimated at S5,-
600. He was interested in French Lick
hotel property with Thomas Taggart. and
I'm various enterprises with Crawford Fair
banks. OF Terre Haute. He was interested
with other indianapolis capitalists in the