My Genealogy Hound

Martin M. Erwin is one of the progressive tillers of the soil of Prairie County, Ark., and was born in Austin in what is now Lonoke County, December 9, 1828, being a son of Oliver Erwin, a brother of A. S. Erwin. He was reared on the home farm near Austin, and his knowledge of the world was only such as could be obtained while assisting his father in tilling the soil. He was married in Pulaski County in July, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth McCraw, a daughter of Pleasant McCraw, a prominent man and a pioneer of that county. After his marriage Mr. Erwin farmed for a short time near the old home place, but in 1853 he moved to Des Arc where he has since made his home, and in addition to conducting his farm he also dealt in real estate, both occupations proving quite successful, and he is now the owner of several thousand acres of land, besides some valuable town property. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army and served until he received his discharge for disability the following year. After remaining idle until 1863 he re-enlisted and was on active duty until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, and was with Price on his raid through Missouri. He was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife by death in 1855, and two years later he took for his second wife Miss Sania Bethell, a daughter of Dr. William Bethell, who is now deceased. Mrs. Erwin was born in Rockingham County, N. C, but was reared and educated in Dallas County, Ark. She and Mr. Erwin have one son, William Erwin, a merchant of Des Arc; and they are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.