Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1931-03-19
JOHN ID. ERWIN DIES HERE
AFTER EXTENDED ILLNESS

many mOnInS. Mr.. JOhn ID. ErW1n,
widely known resident of Morgan
county, and for many years prom
identity identified with various bust.
ness relations of the community,
passed away at his home here Mon
day morning at 9:20 o'clock. For
a number of days prior to his death,
his condition had been critical, and
his death was not unexpected He
had been in failing health for many
months, and last July entered the
Battle Greek sanatorium where he
underwent an operation for bladder
trouble. The operation was not sue
cessful, and since then his condition
had been serious. For more than
eight months he had been bedfast
l.. V. Everhard, a registered nurse.
Of Battle Creek, Mich, accompanied
Mr.. Erwin to his home here, where
he remained in constant attention
for six months. He was relieved of
nights by the deceased's mother-in-
law, Mrs. Ella Clevenger, and since
Mr.. Everhard left, Mr. G.. A. Gay
lord had assisted in his care.
John David Erwin, son of the late
William and Sarah Carter Erwin
was born Sept 13, 1865, in Perry
county, Ohio, on a farm near Mel
sonyille. When a young man, he
and his parents moved to McCon-
nelsville, where the deceased since
had made his home When a young
boy he showed an industrious turn
of mind. He attended the high
school here, but before his gradua
tion entered the employ of the First
Nnti hn,a IL
tion. until he was made cashier,
position he held for about Is years
While in the bank, he became inter
ested in the telephone business. In
the year 1898 he resigned his bank
position, to give his entire time to
the telephone business. He and
George M. Scott bought out the
Drake telephone system, and in the
year 1905 they incorporated under
the name OF The Riverside Tele-
phone Company. IN 1912 Mr.. Err
win purchased Mr. Scott's interest,
and was the majority stockholder IL
, the concern until it was sold in May.
| 1928, to The Suburban Power Co
For more than 80 years he had been
| in the telephone business, and was a
member OF The Telephone Pioneers
' Association of America Mr. Erwin
! helped 10 organize the First National
bank at Stockport; was a director
of that institution and its vice pres
ident, up until January Of this year
He was also stockholder and di-
rector of The Muskingum Valley
Grocery Company, and its president
at the time of his death
Dec. 2. 1908, Mr. Erwin was
united in marriage to Miss Etha A.
Fletcher Of this place. To this un-
ion was born one daughter, Sarah
Eleanor, wife of Edgar Northrup
of Columbus Besides his wife anu
daughter, he is survived by grand
daughter, Rosemary Jean Northrup,
Of whom he was pasSionately fond.
He also leaves one brother, Atty
J. c. Erwin of Columbus. sister,
Minnie Erwin. died when young
girl.
+ When a young man Mr.. Erwin
united with the Methodist Episcopal
church of this place. For many
years he was teacher of its younS
mems Sunday school class, and for
many years was a member of the Of
fetal board of the church Fra
inthian lodge. No. Ill, F. & A. M;
R. & S. M; and of McConnelsville
Council. No. 1O6, r. & S. M, and
had served each as presiding officer.
He was also member of the New
i Lexington Commandery X T.; and
a 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish
! Rite Scioto Consistory, Columbus.
He was a member of Valley Chapter,
! No. 19, O. f. S.. and a Past Patron:
was member of the Past Masters
Masonic association of this the 17tn
Masonic district. having served as
its president, and was a Rotarian.
The deceased was an ideal hus-
band and father, He was of 8
friendly disposition and readily
made friends. He was public spirit
ed-an exemplary citizen. who will
be missed in the social. religious,
business and fraternal circles.
Funeral services under the aus
pices of the Masonic lodge. and
which were largely attended. were
i held Wednesday afternoon at 9
O'Clock, at the Methodist Episcopal
church. with the pastor Rev. Chas
w, Stoneburner officiating and us
ing as the basis Of his sermon the
46th Psalm and other scripture
selections An obituary sketch was
read by Mr.. 7. j, Bailey, who also
! made a short address. The pail
! bearers were G. L. Stanbery, Geo
M. Scott j. A. Hambleton, H. H.
ChOguill, Roy Gay and S. A. Finley
The Knights Templars were escorts
Music was furnished by the choir of
the Methodist Episcoual church.
with Mrs. Geo. Lowell organist
The selections were abide with
Me-" LAS Friend After Friend De-
parts" and ooh Love That Will
Not Let Me Co. There were a
large number of handsome floral
pieces from friends, relatives ana
various organizations Burial was
made in McConnelsville cemetery.
Among outside persons in attend.
ance at the funeral were Mr.. and
Mrs. Edgar Northrup and daughter,
Atty j. C. Erwin and wife, Mr.. and
Mrs. O. w. Fletcher, Mrs Emma Nc
Artor, Mrs. Imogene Curl, and Mr.
and Mrs. Harley Elson, all of Co
| lumbus: Mr.. John NJ Carter, and
Mr.. and Mrs. Ernest Bowen, Barnes
vile; Mrs. Harry Clevenger, and
Mr.. Richard Illingworth, Delaware:
| Mr.. and Mrs. Roy Fletcher, Philo;
Mr.. and Mrs. c.. S. Eppley. Mr.. and
| Mrs. B. S. Martin, Miss Stella Ep-
| pley. Atty p II. Tannehill, Zanes-
Vile: Mr.. and Mrs. Eugene c. Whit
aker. and Mr.. w. s. Van Metre, Ma
rietta.