OBIT: William IRVIN, 1913, Altoona, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Maureen Carothers March 26, 2006, 1:14 pm Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ WILLIAM IRVIN One of the oldest citizens of the Second Ward passed away last evening at 6:30 o'clock at the family residence, 703 Crawford Avenue. The cause being complications of disease. He was born near McVeytown, Mifflin County and grew to nearly manhood in that county. About 56 years ago he moved to Spruce Creek and there entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad having charge of a small engine in charge of construction work. The civil war breaking out, he enlisted in Company 9, Third regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, April 14, 1861, serving three months. At the expiration of his term of service he reenlisted this time in the Ninth Pennsylvania Calvary. This was Sept. 15, 1861. He advanced to the position of Sergeant and was later appointed Second Lieutenant and when he was mustard out on June 15, 1865, was first Lieutenant. He saw much fighting and was with Sherman during the march to the sea. Captured by the confederates he was imprisoned in three different military prisons, Florence, Charleston, SC and Savannah Georgia. The war ending he came to Altoona and entered the employ of the RR Co. this time in the freight shops. He soon became a gang leader and when a division of the shop was made, he was promoted to the position of night foreman, serving faithfully for a number of years. One of the original members of the Altoona PRR Tire Co. he was made chief of the reorganized Fire Dept. a position which he filled with credit until he was retired and placed pension roll of the Company. A republican in politics he did not aspire to office. The only time he held such being when he was a member of the city council. He was a member of Encampment No. 17 Union Veteran Legion and past commander thereof. The wife of the deceased died 4 years ago. These children survived, J. A. Irvin, Mrs. Maurice Holland, Mrs. Wm. Corless and Mrs. Austin Kuhn al of this city. He also leaves one brother and 3 sisters. John Irvin, Davenport Iowa, Mrs. Sarah Benn, Altoona, Mrs. Bell Snyder, Mrs. Martha Campbell of Huntington County. Funeral will take place Monday morning. Mass at St. Marks Church at 9 a.m. Interment at St. Johns Cemetery. Altoona Mirror, May 16, 1913 This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/