Erwin Steele was born in the free state of Pennsylvania in 1802. He married Mary Ann Foster from the slave state of Delaware. Erwin and his wife had three children together (James, Joshua, and Alexander), with all of whom were born in the United States. In 1851, Erwin and his family left their lives in Philadelphia and moved to the Elgin Settlement. Erwin purchased settlement land on Concession A, lot 11. When or where Erwin Steele died is unknown.
There are still Steele descendents residing in Buxton and local communities today.