Corwin, John W., 1875-1970.

John W. Corwin was born in Cantril, Iowa, August 20, 1875. He was one of five children born to B.W. Corwin and Mary Tufts Corwin. He completed grade school and high school in Cantril, and graduated from Highland Park School of Pharmacy, in Des Moines. Corwin came to Montana in the fall of 1899. He took up residence in Park City, and by 1890 had established Corwin Mercantile. The Mercantile remained in business until 1923. Corwin served as President of the Farmers' State Bank at Wheat Basin, director of the Park City State Bank, and director of the First National Bank of Rapelje.

John W. Corwin, a Republican, was elected to the House of Representatives in the Montana State Legislature in 1913. He served as the first legislator for the newly created Stillwater County. He was re-elected the next year for a full term. He is best know legislatively for his work to regulate the sale and manufacture of drugs and medicines in the state. In recognition for this work Mr. Corwin was elected president of the Montana State Druggist Association in 1915. Corwin was elected to the Montana Senate in 1931.

From 1947-1949 Corwin served as the acting chairman of the Montana State Liquor Control Board. John W. Corwin was associated with the Masons in Laurel, Helena, and Billings; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Modern Woodmen of America; and the Knights of the Maccabees. He was elected the first president of the Laurel Rotary Club. He was an active member of the Methodist Church. John W. Corwin and Minnie Powell were married on February 27, 1898. They had two children, Frank (who died at 12 years of age) and Genevieve. John W. Corwin died in Laurel on November 30, 1970.