- ALVIN J. SAWIN, a retired farmer and one of the honored pioneers
of Rock County, now
- residing in Evansville, is a native of New York, having been
born in Chenango County, on the 19th day of February, 1819, and
is a son of John and Orrel (LENNANT) SAWIN, the former a native
of Tolland County, Conn., and the latter of Otsego County, N.Y.,
born of English ancestry. Our subject is of the fifth generation
in direct descent from John SAWIN, the founder of the family
in America, who settled in the Massachusetts colony in 1650,
only thirty years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth
Rock. He was a son of Robert SAWIN, of Boxford, Suffolk Co.,
England, and married Abigail MUNNING.
- The family of John and Orrel SAWIN numbered thirteen children,
twelve of whom grew to
- manhood and womanhood, and all became residents of Wisconsin;
Aurilla, the first born, whose birth occurred in July, 1814,
is now keeping house for our subject; Ann Eliza, who became the
wife of William GOTT, is residing in Walworth County, Wis., and
to them have been born two children, Emma, who married Henry
ERDLEY; and Watson, of Walworth County, Wis., who wedded Emma
HICKS; Alvin, of this sketch, is the third in order of birth;
Clarissa, widow of Albert TILLINGHAST, is living in Ripley, N.Y.;
she has one daughter, Ella F., who is the wife of Frank RIDANBRODE,
a farmer of Ripley, N.Y.; David M. died in infancy; Ethan P.,
born in 1824, married Lucina TUPPER, and they have two children,
Albert M., a teacher of Laramie City, Wyo., and Charles, who
is a resident of Evansville; Lucinda M., born in 1827, wedded
Edward GOTT, of Burlington, Racine Co., Wis.; Lorenzo D., born
Aug. 6, 1829, became the husband of Helen WEBSTER, a native of
Ripley, Chautauqua Co., N.Y., and a daughter of Platt and Olive
(SAWIN) WEBSTER, who were also natives of New York, in which
State the mother's death occurred, while the father died in Wisconsin
while on a visit to his daughter. To Lorenzo SAWIN an his wife
have been born two children, Ida, wife of Frank HINES, of Evansville,
and Gracie, wife of John ELLIS, of Eau Claire, Wis.; Mary J.,
born in 1831, became the wife of John MONTGOMERY, a resident
of Evansville; Miranda, born in 1834, is deceased; Eleanor M.,
born in 1836, is the wife of Anson BALDWIN, a farmer of Union
Township, and has five children - Willie A., Zola S., Jennie
E., Burdette J., and Myrtie M.; Juliette, the youngest of the
family, is the wife of Dr. Charles SMITH, of Evansville, and
their union has been blessed with two children, Flora and Charles.
- The subject of our sketch first came to Wisconsin on a prospecting
tour in 1844, and deciding to
- locate in this state engaged to work as a farm hand. The
following year his father visited the State, and being also pleased
with the country returned to his eastern home for the purpose
of preparing to become a permanent resident. In 1846, accompanied
by his family, he located in Green County, entering land on the
southwest quarter of section 12, in the town of Brooklyn. He
built a shanty, into which the family, numbering wife and ten
children moved, and began life in true pioneer style. The stars
could be seen through the roof of the little cabin and in the
winter the snow drifted over the beds, but notwithstanding the
many hardships to be endured, prosperity attended the little
band of emigrants and success crowned their efforts. In the
winter of 1846-7 a comfortable frame residence was built, the
lumber being hauled from Racine. In the course of time the young
pioneers left the parental roof and started out to make homes
for themselves. The sons have all now become well-to-do farmers,
and are leading and repreestivative citizens of the State. Alvin,
the subject of this sketch, is now the owner of the old home
farm, which comprises 200 acres of arable land under a high state
of cultivation. Lorenzo D. is also the owner of a fine farm
of 150 acres in Green County, and his home plat comprises sixty
acres, the total aggregate being 210 acres. He has a handsome
residence surrounded by all the comforts of life, and is now
a wealthy farmer.
- Time passed merrily in the pioneer home of the SAWIN family,
each one performing the task
- allotted him and assisting in the accumulation of a competency
for the beloved parents, but after twenty years had come and
gone the little home was overspread by the deepest grief, caused
by the death of the father, who passed from this earth March
19, 1866, in the eightieth year of his age. His consistent Christian
life, his loving kindness to all and his heartfelt sympathy won
him the friendship, respect and confidence of all with whom he
came in contact. In 1825 he was ordained a minister of the Baptist
Church, and his life was spent for the good of mankind. The
loving wife and mother survived her husband until Aug. 5, 1873,
when she too was called to her final home at the age of eighty
years. She was a most estimable lady, and was also a devoted
member of the Baptist Church.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 865-866.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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