Tribute to the late John A. Erwin.

I take the liberty to say a few words of the above named gentleman. I have been intimately acquainted with him more than thirty-eight years. I first got acquainted with him in June 1842, when he was selling goods in Ellijay. When he left there I saw him no more until I came to Cartersville, the 1st day of August, 1853. Since then I have known him part of the time as a neighbor and a friend. I transacted a great deal of business with him. During all this time I was twice near the point of death; each time I found him ready to give a helping hand when it was needed. I am nearly sixty-five years old. I have been a very close observer in my time. I have been dealing in the public over thirty years, and I don’t think that I ever met a man in all that time more of a gentleman than he was. I knew him in health and in sickness, in war and in peace, when I was in prosperity and in adversity. I found him the same eat all times. I think he was blessed in both his first and second marriages with as good domestic companions as any man I ever knew. I will say this much about his children who are left orphans. There is no family on earth I would help more cheerfully if it ever comes in my power to do so. Hoping they will remember their Creator in the days of their youth, and lay up their treasures in Heaven that they may all be prepared to meet their father and mothers who have gone before where parting is no more. J. S. [another tribute to John Erwin, written by the editor of the paper, can be found on page 2 of this issue.]

The Free Press
November 22, 1883
Page 1

John A. Erwin.
A Beautiful Tribute to the Memory of a Good and Pure Man.

[A 2 column tribute written by Mrs. W. H. Felton for the Methodist Episcopal Church Sunday School in Cartersville.] “…Maj. John A. Erwin, late of Rhea county, Tennessee. He died at Lebanon, Ohio, on the 31st of October, 1883…His remains reached Cartersville on Saturday, the 3rd of November, and were buried by the side of other deceased members of his family the same afternoon…”