OLIVER W. ERLEWINE

     The specific and distinctive office of biography is not to give voice to man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave a perpetual record establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his fellow men.  That great factor, the public, is a discriminating factor, and yet takes cognizance not so much of self-exaltation or of modesty as the intrinsic essence of character, strikes the keynote of individuality and pronounces judicially and unequivocally upon the true worth of the man--invariably distinguishing the clear resonance of the true metal from the jarring dissonance of the baser.  Thus in touching upon the life history of the subject of this review the biographer would aim to give utterance to no fulsome encomium, to indulge in no extravagant praise; yet would he wish to hold up for consideration those points that have shown the distinction of a pure, true and useful life,--one characterized by indomitable perseverance, broad charity, marked ability, high accomplishments and well-earned honors.  To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by his fellow men.

     Professor O.W. Erlewine, now the principal of the city schools of Sacramento, was born Jan 10, 1852 and was the fourth in order of birth in a family of five children, whose parents were Samuel and Rebecca (Hubbs) Erlewine. The family is of German lineage and the original American ancestors settled in this country at an early day and were frequently engaged in the struggles with the Indians which marked the early settlement of this land.  His father was a native of West Virginia and died in that state at the age of eighty-four years, but the mother is still living there, at the age of seventy-six.

     Upon the old home farm in that state Professor Erlewine spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and after completing the public school course in Wetzel county, West Virginia, pursued a course of training in a preparatory school for teachers in Carthage, Illinois.  He has devoted much of his life to educational work, teaching school for two years in the state of his nativity and three years in Illinois before his removal to the west.  He came to California in 1880 and for nine years engaged in merchandising as the manager of the Grangers' Business Association; but the cause of education was one in which he was deeply interested, and ultimately he returned to his professional labors along that line.  For six years he was a member of the board of education of Sacramento, and then, after four years spent in the office of assistant postmaster, was chosen superintendent of the city schools, in which capacity he has most ably served for the past six years.  He has succeeded in raising the schools to a very high standard of excellence, and with the assistance of a competent corps of teachers he has advanced the importance and thoroughness of the work in each grade.  His marked ability to impart clearly and readily to others the knowledge he has acquired made him a most successful educator from the beginning of his professional career and Sacramento owes much to him for the progress made along educational lines in the public schools under his superintendence.

      In 1878 was celebrated the marriage of Professor Erlewine and Miss Emma L. Bross.  Her father, Benjamin Bross, was a native of Germany and after crossing the Atlantic became a farmer in Illinois, where he is still living at the age of eighty-four years.  His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Merrill was born in Vermont and died in 1885.  Unto Professor and Mrs. Erlewine have been born three children:  Mary R. in 1880; Eva E in 1882; and Maud A. in 1884.

      Our subject belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and is a most valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a past grand patriarch of California.  He is very popular among all classes, possessing a genial and social disposition.  He is a man of high intellectuality, broad human sympathies and tolerance and imbued with fine sensibilities and clearly defined principles.  Honor and integrity are synonymous with his name, and he enjoys the respect, confidence and high regard of the entire community.

 

 

Source: “A Volume Of Memoirs And Genealogy of Representative Citizens Of Northern California” Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. Chicago. 1901. Page 86-87.

 

Submitted by: Betty Tartas.