Obituary of John Olwin, Crawford County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 2000 Jim Admire AGED VETERAN CALLED ------- John Olwin Passes Away at His Home in Robinson John Olwin passed away at his home in Robinson last Saturday morning about 11 0' clock. John Olwin, son of David and Nancy Olwin, was born Dec. 5, 1838 in Montgomery county, OH, and died Feb. 1 1919, aged 80 years, 1 month and 26 days. At twenty-one years of age he left the parental roof embarking on the rugged pathway of life as a farm hand, worked for small wages. At the age of 23 he enlisted in the Fourty-fourth Ohio Infantry and served in the Civil war for three years taking part in several of the battles among the largest was the charge of Greenville Tenn. At the battle of Cumberland Mountains, Tenn., he was taken prisoner, and placed in Libby prison where he remained about 6 months. At the close off the war he came to Hutsonville and engaged in the furniture business with Fred Earnest and remained in this business only about six months. In 1867 he joined partnership with J. R. Hurst & Co. continuing in this business for 16 years. He was married to Miss Rebecca F. Hurst October 6, 1866 and to them were born nine children--Charles H, of Robinson; Lola M., who died in May, 1889; Georgia E. Swartz, Danville; Oceola, Omaha, Neb.; Fred B. Birdie G., Robinson; Clara Hodge, Findly, O.; Nancey Palmer, Robinson; and Lois B. of St. Paul, Minn., who with the mother still survives. About the year 1883 he disposed of his business interests here and removed to Robinson where he engaged in the mercantile business. In 1895 he erected an elevator in connected with business and operated them until his health would no longer permit him taking an active part. In December 1906, in conjunction with others, he organized the Farmers & Producers Bank at Robinson being elected vice president and director. Mr. Olwin made many friends here by his honesty, integrity and square dealing and who will sorrow greatly to learn of his death. Funeral services were here, held at the home Monday afternoon conducted by Rev. W. T. Walker of Mattoon, former pastor of the First Christian church of Robinson. Interment was made in New Cemetery there. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb Archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jim Admire