WILLIAM C. IRWIN. Prominent among the enterprising and prosperous agriculturists of Canton township is the subject of this brief biographical sketch. He was born May 6, 1830, in Canton township, Washington Co., Penn., a grandson of David Irwin, who was among the earliest settlers of the county, but the particulars of whose emigration are unknown. However, the family settled in Canton township, where they at once began clearing up and improving a farm. James Irwin, son of the old pioneer, David Irwin, was married October 8, 1818, to Margaret Smith, who died July 6, 1819. On March 1, 1821, Mr. Irwin married Nancy Clark, who bore him the following named children: Margaret, Ann, Jane, Mary, William C., Martha, David, Nancy and Adeline. The mother died October 15, 1860, the father December 12, 1854. Mr. Irwin was an energetic worker in the Democratic ranks, and a active member of the United Presbyterian Church at North Buffalo, where he and his wife lie buried. William C. Irwin, son of James and Nancy (Clark) Irwin, passed his early youth and manhood upon the home farm, and was educated at the public schools of the neighborhood of his birthplace. On October 19, 1854, he was married to Mary R., daughter of Leet and Elizabeth Dye, and immediately brought his bride to the home of his boyhood. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin has been blessed with the following named children: Florence A. (deceased), James D., John L., Laura A., Leman N., William M., Edith E., Asa C., Minnie J. (deceased), Mary Etta, Charles Milton, Nellie S. and Clifford T. The mother was called from earth December 12, 1886. Since early manhood Mr. Irwin has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and he now owns one of the best farms in Canton township. He is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church at Washington, with which he has long been identified. Politically he is a Democrat, active and zealous in the interests of his party.

Text taken from page 1198 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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