infield Ervin was born in Lebanon, Oregon in 1869 and was a candy maker in Bellingham, Washington, where he met his wife, Theora McNall, who was born in that town. They moved to Portland, Oregon for a period of time, and son Winfield, Jr. was born there in 1902, followed by daughter Martha Henrietta in 1904. They moved from Portland to Lewiston, Idaho, where their son, Ernest Wells (known as Wells), was born in 1906.

Winfield Sr. came to Alaska in 1909, and was employed by the Brown and Hawkins Company in Seward. He later transferred to Knik, where he remained until moving to Anchorage in 1915. Theora and the three children, who had been living in Bellingham, came to Anchorage to join Winfield in 1917.

He joined the Bank of Anchorage and was employed there until 1922, when he and several investors chartered the First National Bank for the amount of fifty-five thousand dollars. That bank opened on January 30, 1922 on the corner of 4th Avenue and G Street, a location where it remained for many decades.

The First Presbyterian Church records indicate that the Ervins were among 51 people who signed a petition to organize the church in Anchorage. On January 14, 1917, the minister preached a text and then read a list of persons who were received into the membership of the church. Among those listed were Mr. and Mrs. Winfield Ervin, Sr., Winfield Ervin, Jr. and Martha and Wells Ervin.

Theora Ervin was known as a leader among the church members. One of the organizations of the church was the Friendly Aid Society, whose object was to provide spiritual, social and financial aid to church members. She was recognized for her outstanding work in promoting the precepts of the organization.

The eldest son, Winfield, Jr. married a widow, Velma Brown. She had two sons, Jack Brown and Chet Brown, who died in 1999. Daughter Martha Ervin Maxwell had no children. Son Wells and his wife Doady had two children, Betty Lou and Clayton. Wells died in a plane crash with Hakon Christensen in 1956.

Theora McNall Ervin died in 1957, Winfield, Sr. died in 1961, and Winfield, Jr. died in Seattle in 1985. Martha died in 1990.
Winfield Ervin, born in Lebanon, Oregon, 1869. Died in 1961.     Theora McNall Ervin, born in Bellingham, Washington, 1880. Died in 1957.
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Winfield Ervin, Jr., born in Portland, Oregon, 1902. Died in 1985.     Winfield Ervin, Sr. in the front office of the First National Bank, circa 1930.
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Martha Henrietta Ervin Maxwell, born in Portland, Oregon, 1904. Died in 1990.     First National Bank, Anchorage, circa 1930.
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Ernest Wells Ervin, born in Lewiston, Idaho, 1906. Died in 1956.     First National Bank, corner of 4th Avenue and G Street, circa 1939.
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The “Hallway Geranium Garden” above the First National Bank (individuals not identified.)
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Photo captions:
  1. Winfield Ervin, born in Lebanon, Oregon, 1869. Died in 1961.


  2. Theora McNall Ervin, born in Bellingham, Washington, 1880. Died in 1957.


  3. Winfield Ervin, Jr., born in Portland, Oregon, 1902. Died in 1985.


  4. Winfield Ervin, Sr. in the front office of the First National Bank, circa 1930.


  5. Martha Henrietta Ervin Maxwell, born in Portland, Oregon, 1904. Died in 1990.


  6. First National Bank, Anchorage, circa 1930.


  7. Ernest Wells Ervin, born in Lewiston, Idaho, 1906. Died in 1956.


  8. First National Bank, corner of 4th Avenue and G Street, circa 1939.


  9. The “Hallway Geranium Garden” above the First National Bank (individuals not identified.)


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