s/o John A & Louise BICKHAM Erwin
b/o Samantha, Lauretta E, Martin, Annette & Mary
p/o Martha Allie (step daughter), Ella, Joseph, Carrie, Jessie C, Georgia, Samuel E, Betty, John, Minnie & William

John Wesley Erwin was born the sixth child of John Alexander Erwin and Louisia Annette Bickham, in Caddo Parish, Louisiana on March 15, 1841. JWE's early life was difficult. His parents both died in 1843 when he was only three years old. The children were distributed among aunts and uncles. John went to live with his uncle and aunt, Francis Bickham and Rhoda Roberts Bickham. According to John, his aunt Rhoda raised him "hard". Aunt Rhoda died soon after she started raising John and JWE was cared for by his older cousin John Wesley Bickham. They moved to Linden, Cass County, Texas and then to Bryan, Brazos County, Texas. When the Civil War started JWE returned to Caddo Parish, Louisiana to join the 17th Regiment, Louisiana Infantry of the Confederate Army. John never talked much about his time in the Civil War. He was a friend of Allen H. Bridges who died in the war. He promised Allen to take care of his wife and daughter.

On returning from the war, John married Elizabeth (Betty) Jane Eakin Bridges, his friend's widow, on April 11, 1866. He gained a step-daughter, Martha Allie Bridges, whom he raised as his own child. Betty bore John ten children, five girls and five boys. He proudly wrote, "all of whom are living at this date, 1905." John and his family lived in Caddo Parish, Louisiana; Miller County, Arkansas; and finally Cass County, Texas. Betty died September, 24, 1895, and John wrote, "since which time her husband has lived lonely enough, though among and surrounded by his children."

God called John to the gospel ministry when he was a young man. He was a bi-vocational Baptist pastor for most of his life. In addition to being a minister, he was first a farmer and then the owner and operator of the Cass County Sun in Linden, Texas.

John managed his newspaper, pastored local churches, wrote poetry, and wrote and published a book of sermons. He was a good father and husband. His love for his wife is expressed in his poetry. JWE continued to preach when health prevented him from being a pastor. He would put chairs in his front yard for his congregation and sit on the porch to preach. Because his face was greatly disfigured by cancers, he wore a dark veil from a woman's hat. He never tired in his work for the Lord, his devotion to his family and the loving memory of his dear wife. John Wesley Erwin died October 10,1913.

Cemetery information:
SEC G, ROW 20, plot
1 - McGEHEE, L.A.
2 - McGEHEE, Lydia A
3 - WILEY, Byrd
4 - WILEY, A.H.
5 - LATHAM, William
6 - LATHAM, M. Allie BRIDGES
7 - ERWIN, Rev. John Wesley *
8 - ERWIN, Elizabeth Jane EAKIN
9 - ERWIN, Samuel Elisha, Jr.
10 - ERWIN, Sue Allie
11 - ERWIN, Samuel Elisha, Sr.
12 - ERWIN, Adell WILEY
13 - UNKNOWN flat stone