The History of Cayuga County 1789-1879
BIOGRAPHY - JAMES H. IRWIN

JAMES H. IRWIN

Among the large land owners and prominent agriculturists of the town of Sterling, Mr. Irwin occupies a conspicuous place. His father, James G. Irwin, was born in Washington county, in 1790. In the year 1817, he moved to the county of Oswego, and settled on one hundred acres of Government land, and on lot No. 30, in Oswego town.

His wife, Mary White, who was also a native of Washington county, accompanied him to Oswego county, and shared with him the trials and privations of pioneer life. He was a soldier in the war of 1812-'14, and died upon the old homestead, March 6th, 1863. His widow still survives him. To them twelve children were born, six of whom are still living.

JAMES H. IRWIN, was the third child of James G. and Mary Irwin. He was born March 25th, 1820, and passed his childhood with his parents in Oswego county. In 1845, he married Miss Mary Ann Armstrong, daughter of Robert and Rebecca Armstrong, natives of Washington county. Mr. Armstrong died at DeKalb, Illinois, in 1872. Mrs. Armstrong is still living at the advanced age of 76 years.

The same year of his marriage, Mr. Irwin removed to Sterling and settled on lot No. 5, where he has since resided.

Mr. and Mrs. Irwin have had nine children, named in the order of their ages as follows: Mary B., (deceased,) born March 17th, 1846; Emerson S., born June 14th, 1847; Alice A., born October 28th, 1850; Emerette, born May 9th, 1856; George A., (deceased,) born June 18th, 1858; Jane E., born March 15th, 1860; William D., born November 15th, 1862; Robert B., born November 8th, 1864; Clara L., born November 17th, 1866.

On another page of this work may be seen a view of Mr. Irwin's home.

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