Irving, P.F.; 1905 Bio, Pitkin County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/pitkin/bios/irvingpf.txt --------------------------------------- Donated May 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- P.F. Irving A Canadian by birth and rearing, and thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the political institutions of his native county, P.F. Irving has nevertheless lived long enough in the United States to imbibe the genius of our people and become thoroughly attached to the institutions and interests of the land of his adoption. His life began on Prince Edward Island on November 20, 1854, and he is the son of Philip Franklin and Sophia (Forrest) Irving, natives of Scotland. The father passed his years of earlier manhood as a sea captain and his later life as a farmer, achieving success in both pursuits. Both parents are Presbyterians, and in politics the father is a Tory. They had eleven children, three of whom died in infancy and eight are living, P.F. being the youngest. He received a limited education in the public schools, his opportunities for attending being few and of short duration, as he was obliged to go to work on the farm at an early age. This he continued until he was twenty-five, when he came to Colorado and settling at Canon City, Gilpin county, went to work at mining and teaming. He continued at this employment ten years, and in 1889 located at Aspen. He kept on mining and also was engaged in teaming until 1899, except during the year 1897 when he was captain of the Aspen police force. In 1899 he was elected sheriff of Gilpin county, and in 1902 went into the livery business as the successor of Mr. Tehmeer, whom he bought out. In this enterprise he was successful, selling out to good advantage in the latter part of 1904. In politics he is an active Democrat, always loyal and serviceable to his party, and always earnestly anxious for its success. In fraternal life he is a Freemason, a Knight of Pythias and a Woodman of the World, and also a social member of the Fraternal Union. On June 17, 1895, he was married to Mrs. Frances V. (Wootton) Fitzgerald, a native of Pueblo, Colorado, and a daughter of Richard and Frances (Smith) Wootton. In his young manhood the father was one of the early pioneers of California, having gone thither from his native Virginia, where his Scotch ancestors settled many years before. Both of Mrs. Irving's parents are deceased. They were members of the Presbyterian church and active in its works of benevolence. The mother passed away while her daughter was young. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.