BIO: J. Greene IRVIN, Centre County, Pennsylvania Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ _______________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _______________________________________________ COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages 117-118 J. G. IRVIN. Among the foremost families of Centre county the Irvin family ranks high, both in the business and social world. John and Anne (Watson) Irvin, the grandparents of our subject, were of Scotch-Irish extraction, and from Scotland came to America in the early 1790's. They took up their abode at what is now Linden Hall, Harris township, Centre county, where the grandfather owned and operated a mill and distillery until his death in 1825. To this worthy couple were born nine children, as follows: Susan, wife of Gen. James Potter, of Potters Mills, Centre county; Gen. James Irvin, who was a member of Congress and at one time was a candidate for the office of governor of Pennsylvania; John, the father of our subject; William, who made his home in Centre county, but died in China while serving as United States embassador; Lot W., who was engaged in the iron business in Mercer county, Penn.; Margaret, wife of Andrew Gregg, who was engaged in the same business in Hecla, Centre county; Nancy, wife of Benjamin J. Berry, of Lemont, Penn.; Eliza, widow of Roland Curtin, brother of Gov. Curtin, and proprietor of the Eagle Iron Works, of Centre county; and Sarah, wife of Capt. W. W. Potter. The last two are still living in Bellefonte. John Irvin, Jr., the father of our subject, was born in Linden Hall, Harris township, and in the country schools near his home secured his education. Leaving school at an early age, he went to Oak Hall, College township, where he became proprietor of the Oak Hall grist and saw mills and a store at the same place. He built the Monroe furnace in Huntingdon county, Penn., where he lived for several years, but finally returned to Oak Hall. Subsequently, however, he removed to Iowa, where his death occurred, surviving his last wife three years. John Irvin, Jr., married Miss Hannah Greene, a daughter of Joseph Greene (owner of the Centre Furnace of College township), who lived and died in Milesburg. The only child born of this union was our subject, and his mother died in 1832, when he was but two years old. Later his father wedded Miss Isabella Rankin, a daughter of John Rankin, of Bellefonte, and to them were born five children, namely: Mary, who died in Iowa; William, a commission merchant of Chicago, Ill.; Sarah, wife of D. H. Annabel, a dry-goods merchant, of Keokuk, Iowa; John, a farmer of the Hawkeye State; and Isabella, wife of C. C. Cox, a broker of Chicago. J. Greene Irvin, of this review, was born in Linden Hall, January 23, 1830, and there obtained his early education, which was supplemented by a course of study in both Harrisburg and Lawrenceville, Penn. On the completion of his literary education, he entered the woolen business in Oak Hall, becoming the owner and manager of the large woolen-mill at that place. For many years he continued its operation, but has now laid aside active business cares, though he still owns the factory. He was a prominent representative of the industrial interests of the county, and the product which the mills turned out was of such superior quality that it commanded the highest market price. He has the strictest regard for the ethics of commercial life, and his business methods commended him to the confidence and regard of all. On November 8, 1854, Mr. Irvin was married to Miss Jane Riley, who was born February 19, 1836, and is a daughter of Daniel Riley, of Boalsburg, Harris township, Centre county. They have become the parents of three children, namely: (1) Annie, born February 22,1856, is the wife of William F. Mitchell, manager of a general store at Williamsburg, Blair Co., Penn., and they have two children - Mary Margaret, born December 17, 1884, who died in 1889; and Joseph Irvin, born June 8, 1891. (2) Sarah Letitia, born December 26, 1857, was married June 15, 1881, to Thomas F. Johnson, secretary of the Hollidaysburg Iron & Nail Works, at Hol- 118 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. lidaysburg, Penn., and they have two children - Joseph Irvin, born May 9, 1882; and Mary Jane, born July 19, 1890. (3) Hannah Mary, born July 12, 1860, died February to, 1863. Mr. Irvin has a pleasant home in College township, surrounded by beautiful grounds comprising ten acres, and there he is spending his declining years surrounded by many warm friends. For thirty-five years he has been a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Scott, and is now an ardent Republican in politics, but no politician in the sense of office seeking, though he has creditably filled the offices of overseer of the poor, election inspector, township treasurer and township clerk. He lends his aid and influence to all matters calculated to advance the educational, moral or material welfare of the community, and is ranked among the valued citizens and leading business men of the township.