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GEORGE THOMAS IRWIN

 

George Thomas Irwin, who owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Washington township and is meeting with gratifying success in his agricultural pursuits, is a native of Taylor county, his birth here occurring on the 9th of September, 1872.  His father, Thomas Irwin, was a farmer by occupation and passed from this life at the extreme old age of one hundred and ten years.  The mother, who still resides on the old farm in Holt township, was one of three children born unto her parents, the others being Nobel and Eliza Harrigan.  By her marriage to Mr. Irwin she became the mother of seven children, the brothers and sisters of our subject being: William, James, Robert, Susie, Ida and Jane.

 

Reared amid the scenes and environments of rural life, George Thomas Irwin attended the public school at Holt Center until eighteen years of age, and during that time, when not engaged with his text-books, he assisted his father in the work of the farm, early becoming familiar with the tasks that fall to the country lad.  He remained under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age, and then he engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account, renting a farm which he operated for two years.  At the expiration of that period he became identified with the meat business, becoming the proprietor of a market which he conducted for twelve years.  This venture proved a profitable one, his good business management bringing to him a gratifying measure of prosperity, and during this time he was the owner of several different farms.  Subsequent to his withdrawal from the meat business, however, he purchased his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Washington township and has since directed his attention to the occupation of farming.  His fields have been brought under a high state of cultivation and the atmosphere of neatness and prosperity which surrounds the place is indicative of the thrift and enterprise of its owner.  Mr. Irwin, in connection with general farming, is also interested in live-stock, raising sheep, hogs, cattle and horses, and he enjoys a substantial annual income from the fact that both branches of his business are (page 693) proving most profitable.  He has placed many improvements upon his farm, rebuilding the barn and erecting a very comfortable and attractive residence, and the place is now one of the desirable farming properties of Washington township.

 

It was on the 22d of February, 1902, that Mr. Irwin was united in marriage to Miss Cecelia Agnes Marlow, a daughter of Henry and Kate (McInerney) Marlow, who is one of eight children born unto her parents, the other members of her family being: Alice, Elizabeth, Theresa, Henrietta, Peter, Herbert and Mary, of whom the two last named are now deceased.

 

Although not an office-seeker, Mr. Irwin takes a deep interest in all matters pertaining to civic virtue and civic pride.  Fraternally he is a third degree Mason, holding membership in the blue lodge, while he is likewise connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen, and is a valued and respected member thereof.  He has been successful in his various enterprises, but he has sought his success along the line of earnest and honorable labor, his business integrity remaining at all times unquestioned, while the methods which he has ever employed have won for him the confidence, respect and good will of his fellowmen.