Imperial-Los Angeles-San Bernardino County CA Archives Biographies.....Irvine, Ben Dyer 1875 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 23, 2006, 12:28 am Author: F. C. Farr (editor, 1918) BEN DYER IRVINE.—One of the fine ranches of Imperial County is owned by Ben Dyer Irvine, a property holding which comprises 353 acres in Water Company No. 5, near Brawley. Practical knowledge of agriculture has been the magnet which has caused Mr. Irvine to bend his efforts toward his chosen field of industry, and he has undoubtedly achieved vast results. He came to Imperial County August 22, 1907, and was born in Marshall, Missouri, January 17, 1875, the son of Henry B. and Martha Elizabeth (Lewis) Irvine. The grandparents on both sides of the family came from Virginia during 1836 and located in Missouri, where they were among the pioneers. The country thereabouts at that time represented a vast prairie. The Lewis family are of old Virginia stock, members of which fought the Indians during many tempestuous days, while there is a sprinkling of the Scotch-Irish on both sides. History will show that the members of the family, in tracing the lineage thereof, came to this country long before the Revolutionary war. Mr. Irvine received his education in his native state at the grammar school, leaving the institution at the age of 16 years. He then assisted his parents until he reached the age of 20 years. Later he established himself in the wallpaper and paint business in Kansas City and Marshall, Missouri, where he carried on his vocation for ten years. Coming to Pasadena, California, in 1907, he tried for a location and settled first of all in this county, near Holtville, where he was engaged as overseer for Dr. C. S. Lombard of Redlands, California, on a ranch comprising 320 acres. He also handled a hog ranch for five months for the same party. Later he filed on his present property, which was rough, barren, desert country. Mr. Irvine has labored hard and industriously and has brought his property up to a high state of productiveness. He received his title to the land in 1916. He is now cultivating 350 acres and follows principally grain growing and stock raising. He owns more than 210 head of hogs and also some thoroughbred hogs at the present time. Mr. Irvine organized the M. E. Church at Alamorio, and also helped to build the Magnolia School and Brawley High School. Great credit is due Mrs. Irvine, who insisted in sharing all privations with her husband during his fight here on the desert. She was with him during the hot summer months and never murmured for a moment about overwhelming odds, but with that steadfastness which is one of her most charming characteristics remained as a true and loyal wife should at the side of her husband, all of which adds very splendidly to her many personal and wifely accomplishments. Mr. and Mrs. Irvine were married at Blackwater, Missouri, June 11, 1895. The maiden name of Mrs. Irvine was Katherine Turley, she being the daughter of Christopher and Susan Elsie Turley, pioneers of Missouri, who came to this state from Missouri. Mr. Turley resides at Pasadena. The mother died when Mrs. Irvine was an infant and is buried at Arrow Rock, Missouri. The parents of Mr. Irvine reside at Hutchinson, Kansas, with his brothers—George M. and Robert C.—both of whom are traveling salesmen. As can be readily seen in the foregoing, Mr. Irvine represents most practically all the worthy attributes which go with the self-made man. Additional Comments: From: THE HISTORY OF IMPERIAL COUNTY CALIFORNIA EDITED BY F. C. FARR IN ONE VOLUME ILLUSTRATED Published by ELMS AND FRANKS BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 1918 Printed by Taylor & Taylor, San Francisco File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/imperial/bios/irvine861nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb