Biography - SAMUEL ERVIN
Samuel Ervin, retired hardware merchant, large land owner, and a
resident of Tuscola, was born in Hillsboro, Highland county, Ohio, in 1844.
He was reared and educated in his native county and in 1865 came west and
located in Tuscola. He and a younger brother were associated in business
together up to 1893, when he retired. He owns five hundred and sixty acres
of land that extends up to the corporate limits of Tuscola.
In 1871 Mr. Ervin was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Beach, who was
born on Staten Island. She died in 1894. To their marriage were born two
children: Pearl, who is the wife of C. S. Wardall. The other daughter is in
college.
Samuel Ervin is a son of William B. Ervin, now deceased. The ancestry of the
Ervins is traced back to the great-grandfather of Samuel, Thomas Ervin, a
native of Ireland and member of the Presbyterian church, who was by
occupation a bleacher of linen. He was a man of means, emigrated to this
country in 1771, and purchased a farm in Chester county, Pennsylvania,
residing there until his death. His wife was a daughter of the Scottish
house of Monteith, which aided the mission of William Wallace so nobly and
espoused the cause of Bruce. Jurad, the father of William B. Ervin, was born
in 1758 and was thirteen years old when his parents came to America. He was
a witness to many of the exciting incidents of the Revolutionary war. His
education was limited and early in life he learned the hatter's trade and
went to Rockingham county, Virginia. Here he followed his trade until 1813,
when he removed to Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, remaining there two
years. He then emigrated to Highland county, Ohio, and was there engaged in
farming until his death, which occurred at the ripe old age of one hundred
and six years. His wife, Sallie Herron, of Harrisonburg, Virginia, was born
July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence day. Of this union there was a
family of nine children, William B. being the second. He was born December
1, 1806, in Rockingham, Virginia, at nine years of age removed to Highland
county, Ohio, and in 1865 came to Tuscola, where his death occurred.
Samuel Ervin during his thirty-five years residence in Douglas county has
witnessed the wonderful transformation that has taken place, making this
county one of the best in the commonwealth, and he has contributed his share
to its improvement and development. His laudable business career has gained
him the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact, either in a
business or social way, and his friends throughout the county are many.
Extracted 16 Jan 2020 by Norma Hass from the Historical and Biographical Record of Douglas County, Illinois, published in 1900, pages 259-260.
