BIO: William IRWIN, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _________________________________________________________________________ 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. 149 WILLIAM IRWIN. Longfellow wrote: - We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done." If this golden sentence of the New England poet were universally applied, many a man who is now looking down with haughty stare upon the noble toilers of land and sea, sneering at the cut of a neighbor's coat, or the humbleness of his dwelling, would be voluntarily doing penance in sackcloth and ashes, at the end of which he would handle a spade, or, with pen in hand, burn the midnight oil in his study in the endeavor to widen the bounds of liberty or to accelerate the material and spiritual progress of his race. A bright example of one of the world's workers is the man whose name introduces this review, for by earnest labor and perseverance he has won a high degree of success. William Irwin, who now resides on the old family homestead in Marion township, Centre county, was born October 31, 1828. His grandfather, James Irwin, spent his entire life as a farmer in Ireland. His father, John Irwin, was also born on the Emerald Isle and, emigrating to America, was married in Union county, Penn., to Miss Mary McClelland, who was born near the city of Lancaster, in Lancaster county, Penn. They resided in Union county until 1800, when they came to the farm which is now occupied by our subject, and the father continued its cultivation until his death in 1844, when he was aged sixty-four years. The mother made her home there until 1857, when with her children, Mary A., John J. and William, she removed to Jacksonville, Centre county; where she departed this life in 1858, at the age of seventy years. The father was a farmer by occupation, and was a man of prominence in the community, holding a number of township offices. He supported the Democratic party by his ballot, and in religious belief both he and his wife were Presbyterians. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin had a family of six children: Samuel M., a former resident of Bellefonte, who served as justice of the peace there, died while visiting at the old homestead; Sarah J. died at the age of eighteen years; Mary A. became the wife of R. Connelly, who served as sheriff of Centre county, and both are now deceased; John J. died at the age of thirty-seven years in Centre county; Louisa M., who died at the age of forty-five years, was the wife of J. P. Hughes, who served in the army during the Civil war, and died in Benner township, Centre county; and William completes the family. Mr. Irwin, the subject proper of this sketch, remained with his parents until they were called to the home beyond, spending his boyhood days midst play and work. The district schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational privileges. In 1858 and 1859 he was engaged with William Allison in mercantile business at Jacksonville, Centre county; but after two years he sold his interest in the store and purchased a small farm in Benner township, Centre county. It was his intention to remain there only a short time, but he continued to make it his home for fourteen years, and then returned to Marion township, where he bought a farm on which he lived some nine years. He then purchased the old homestead, and has since made it his place of residence. It is improved with a handsome two-story brick dwelling, with good barns and outbuildings, and all modern accessories and conveniences. The land is highly cultivated, and in addition to this property he owns another valuable farm, deriving from the two a handsome income. On Christmas Day, of 1860, in Clinton county, Penn., Mr. Irwin was married to Miss Susan J. Allison, a native of Porter township, Clinton county, born November 15, 1833. Her parents, David and Lucetta (McKibben) Allison, were 150 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. natives of Centre county, and died in Clinton county. The father was a farmer and a man of prominence in the community in which he made his home. His children were: William M., deceased; Archibald, of Spring Mills, Centre county; Susan J. (Mrs. William Irwin); James, a retired farmer of Adams county, Ohio; Eleanor L., wife of James T. Nixson, a farmer of Clinton county; Henry C., an agriculturist of the same county; Matilda L., deceased; and Joseph M., who is farming on the old family homestead. To Mr. and Mrs. Irwin were born children as follows: Gertrude M., at home; D. Allison; William J., who died at the age of seventeen years; Eleanor L., teaching school, and living at home; Edith J.; Anna L.; Susan B., a school teacher, living at home, and Florence L., also at home. Of these, D. Allison (the only son) is now manager of the home farm, and is a young man of superior business and executive ability, carefully looking after the interests of the property, the labors of which he is conducting with success. As an ardent Republican, he stands well in his party, of which he is one of its advisers, and he is a delegate to county conventions. Edith J. was married April 7, 1897, to J. Will Mayes, a marble dealer, of Howard, Penn. Anna L. was married December 29, 1896, to Samuel L. Allen, of Pittsburg, Penn., where he is city inspector of public works. The mother of this family died September 25, 1893, deeply mourned by many relatives and friends, for her excellencies of character had made her a general favorite in the community. Our subject gives his political support to the Republican party, has been honored with a number of township offices, and served as township auditor several years, but has never aspired to political preferment. His duties of citizenship are faithfully performed, and he is active in the promotion of all interests calculated to prove of public benefit, especially in the matter of schools, in which he takes great interest, being a director of the board; for many years he was overseer of the poor. He is a valued member of the Lick Run Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder. In his early life he was a strong temperance advocate, and was a charter member of the Sons of Temperance Society formed in his town.