BIO: Philip IRWIN, Dauphin County, PA

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http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/runk/runk-bios.htm
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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, page 237.
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  IRWIN, PHILIP, son of Henry Irwin (died 1815) and Margaret Fisher 
(1777-1859), was born August 30, 1815, in Lancaster county, Pa.  His 
educational advantages were comprised in one or two winters at a 
country school.  By self-application and industry, however, he became 
well informed, and with great activity and energy was generally 
successful in his enterprises.  For many years he was engaged in 
building railroads, the scene of his operations being the Northern 
Central, Ohio and Mississippi, Erie, Lebanon Valley, Lake Shore, 
Michigan Southern, and other railroads.  Although an active politician 
he never sought or held office, his business interests requiring all 
his time and attention.  He died at Middletown on the 11th of December, 
1878, aged sixty-three years.  Mr. Irwin married, November 24, 1840, 
Anna Eliza Etter, daughter of George Etter and Nancy Shelly, who 
survived him.  Their children were Margaret, Ann, Mary Ellen, George 
Henry, Franklin Etter, Jenny Lind, Philip Etter, and Lillian.