Biography of Ervin W. Wigent, pages 702/703. History of 
DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., 
Indianapolis, 1914.



A man deserving of mention in this history of DeKalb county 
is the subject of this sketch, for he was born in Butler 
township, this county,  and during his life has been 
actively engaged in a progressive and enterprising manner in 
furthering the interest of the community, for it is a well 
recognized principle that where a man does well with his own 
interests, the public as well as himself is benefited. Ervin 
W. Wigent, who has for several years served efficiently as 
postmaster at Corunna,  where he is also engaged in the 
mercantile business, was born in DeKalb county, Indiana, on 
July 2, 1858, and is a son of Urial and Reuhamah (Clark) 
Wigent, both of whom were native of New York state. These 
parents were reared to manhood and womanhood in their native 
community and after their marriage there they came to DeKalb 
county, Indiana, locating on a farm near Butler Center in 
Butler township. When Ervin Wigent was six years old his 
father moved to Whitley county, Indiana, where the parents 
remained until their deaths. Urial Wigent had been a boat 
man during the earlier years of his active life, and in 
whatever enterprise he engaged he was marked by industry, 
perseverance and integrity of work and deed. To him and his 
wife were born the following children: Martha, John C., 
Chauncy G., Burris Edward, Byron D., Lucina, Sarah and Ervin 
W. The parents of these children are now both deceased.  The 
subject of this sketch received his education in the common 
schools of Whitley county, Indiana, and upon attaining the 
years of manhood he took up the vocation of farming. 
Eventually he and his brother, Byron D., turned their 
attention to the lumber business, finally coming to Corunna, 
where, on November 1, 1893, they became identified with the 
milling interests. They remained actively identified with 
this business for eight years, when the subject met with an 
accident in the mill which incapacitated him for further 
active physical labor, and also meeting with a heavy loss in 
the wheat market, they were compelled to retire from 
business. On April 1, 1904, the subject was appointed 
postmaster of Corunna by President Roosevelt and he still is 
the occupant of that office, discharging his duties to the 
entire satisfaction of the public and the patrons of the 
office. He is an earnest Republican in his political views 
and is active in his support of the principles, which he 
advocates. As a business man and private citizen Mr. Wigent 
has ever been guided by the highest principles of integrity 
and honor and is best liked by those who know him best, his 
sterling qualities of character commending him to the 
sincere regard of everyone. He is genial and companionable 
and is a welcome visitor in any circle which he chooses to 
enter. The community is honored by his citizenship, and 
because of his representative character he is entitled to 
specific mention in this work.

Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com