Defiance County Pioneers - Isaac Corwin

Isaac Newton Corwin

"ISAAC CORWIN DEAD.

Highly Respected Defiance County

Pioneer Gone to His Reward.

Result of a Second Stroke of Paralysis -

Arrangements for the Funeral -

Sketch of the Life 

of the Deceased.

Isaac Corwin, one of the most widely known and highly respected of Defiance County's pioneers, died Monday evening at 10:45 o'clock.  Had he lived until October 3d, he would have been 73 years old.

About five months ago, Mr. Corwin suffered a stroke of paralysis, since which time he has been in a precarious state of health.  On Sunday, July 18, he was afflicted with the second stroke, and has rapidly failed since until final dissolution came.

Mr. Corwin leaves seven children, three girls and four boys, also his third wife.  His other near relatives living are Mrs. Charles Krotz, of this city, who is a sister, and Jack Corwin, a brother, residing in Mt. Gilead, O.

The funeral occurs tomorrow at 2 o'clock, from the residence, conducted by Revs. Latchaw, of the Baptist church, and Slagle of the Presbyterian church.  Interment in Riverside cemetery.

Defiance Commandery No. 30. K. T. of which deceased was an honored member, turned out to the ceremonies in full uniform.  Also the Blue Lodge members of the Masonic order, will attend in a body.  Knights Templar met the funeral procession at the north end of Clinton street bridge and escorted the same to the cemetery and conducted exercises at the grave.

Isaac Corwin was born October 3, 1824, in Washington County, Penn.  His great grandfather, Wm. Corwin, and two brothers, Benjamin and Moses, immigrated to this country from Ireland about 1770.

In 1827, Isaac emigrated with his father from Pennsylvania to Knox county, Ohio.  He learned the blacksmith trade with his father.  At the age of 18, he went away from home and worked at his trade, and afterward started a shop of his own at Williamsport, Morrow county, Ohio, where he married Feb. 4, 1845, Miss Maria Smart, by whom a family of eleven children were born.

In 1850, Mr. Corwin removed to Defiance by team, and on his arrival, invested his all in a cook stove, a barrel of flour and half a hog.  October 15, 1850, Mr. Corwin formed a copartnership with John Yocum in the blacksmith business on the north side of the Maumee.  In about six months, they dissolved and Mr. Corwin then built the shops now occupied and owned by Peter Dickman.  

In 1861, he sold that and bought a small farm when he farmed and dealt in livestock for a time.  Later he entered into a partnership with John H. Kiser and the firm carried on the well known carriage manufacturing business of Corwin & Kiser in a large brick building on Perry street.  They were afterward also engaged in the livery business.  He retired from active business pursuits about four years ago.

In 1861, Mr. Corwin built a residence on the hill in North Defiance.  But about eight years ago, he removed to the farm residence, where he died, situated on the Brunersburg road, about a mile this side of that village.

Mr. Corwin was one of the original members of the Baptist church of Defiance, and a man who was highly respected by all.  His death is very generally mourned."

Defiance Democrat - July 29, 1897