Irwin, William N. 1856-1937 & Wives Families

IRWIN, SPEERS, WHITE, MILLER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 7/23/2023 at 21:45:57

Irwin, William N. 1856-1937 & Wives Families

This story was taken from page 409 of the Ireton Centennial Book (1882-1982). Author unknown. The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes were added.

William N. Irwin was born in Nublis, Ireland Sept. 17, 1856. Two children were born in his first marriage, Mae Irwin (Winterburn) and Charles. His second marriage was to Mary Jane Miller. They had one daughter, Helen (Irwin) Osman.

The Irwins lived in Ireton for 2 years after their marriage, then moved to the Karr farm east of Ireton where they lived for 9 years and then moved to the Will Brown farm ¼ mile up the road.

In 1919 they left Ireton and moved to Sioux City where they built a large home, barn, and chicken house on the outskirts of Morningside. They sold their home here in 1937, intending to move to Calif., but ill health kept him in Iowa and he passed away in 1937 at the home of his son Charles in Sioux City.

Mrs. Irwin spent some time with her daughter, Helen, in Bremerton, Wa. and in Los Angeles, moving back to Sioux City in 1940. She passed away in 1941.

While in Ireton they were members of the United Presbyterian Church until it disbanded and then joined the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Irwin served on the School Board.

See the BIOS of William’s brother Joseph Irwin 1864-1903 for more family details.

RESEARCH NOTES: added by Wilma J. Vande Berg Found on anecstry.com public member trees submitted by other family.

William N. Irwin Jr. was born 17 Sep 1857 at Newbliss, Monaghan, Ireland and died abt 1937 Sioux City IA. He was the son of William N. Irwin 1825-1903 and Mary Speers 1828-1903. He was married to Hattie Beaufort White 1 Jan 1884 at Jo Daviess Illinois. After she died 1901 he married Mary Jane ‘Jennie’ Miller 4 mar 1904 Woodbury Co. Iowa.
First wife was Hattie Beaufort White born 24 Nov 1861 Hanover, Jo Daviess Co. IL, she died Jun 1901 at Ireton IA. Her parents were Jonathan White 1833-1914 and Ellen H. 1833-1872. Hattie and William had three children – Charles 1885, Marina 1886 and William 1893.

Second wife was Mary Jane ‘Jennie’ Miller born 16 Jan 1876 Hannover, IL and died 13 Aug 1941 Sioux City IA. Mary Jane and William had one child Helen H. Irwin.

CHILDREN:
1. Charles Speer Irwin was born 25 Apr 1885 Ireton IA died Nov 1953 His wife was Jennie a. Schaap 1891-1951. They had four children – Harriet Norene Irwin 1914-1991, William R. Irwin 1917, Phyllis Evelyn Irwin 1924-2010 and Charles Ray Irwin 1927-2013.

2. Marian Ellen ‘Mary’ Irwin born 26 Jun 1886 dodge KS died 2 Mar 1962 Los Angeles CA. She married Charles Raymond Winterburn 1880 and they had two children – Russell Leroy Winterburn 1908-1974 and Kenneth Irwin Winterburn 1909-1993.

3. William Kenneth Irwin born 20 Oct 1893 Dodge… died 9 Nov 1894 Iowa

4. Helen H. Irwin born 17 Jun 1905 Sioux City IA died 31 Dec 1996 Palm Beach FL She married Jack R. Osman 1903.

OBITUARY OF WILLIAM N. IRWIN
From the Hawarden Independent of Dec 23, 1937
Former Resident Died Friday William N. Irwin of Sioux City, a former resident of Ireton, passed away last Friday at the home of his son, Charles Irwin in Sioux City, following a lingering illness. Funeral services •were held in the Morningside Presbyterian church and interment was made at Ireton.
A native of Ireland, Mr. Irwin was born Sept. 17, 1857, and so had attained the advanced age of 80 years. He came to America when he was 15 years old and located at Hanover, IL. He was united in marriage with Hattie B. White in Illinois in 1884, and the couple came to Ireton. She died 36 years ago. In 1904 he was married to Mary Jane Miller in Chicago. A number of years ago he moved to Sioux City where he was active in civic improvement work. He was an elder in the Morningside Presbyterian church.
He is survived by his wife and one son, Charles of Sioux City, and two daughters, Mrs. Mae Winterburn of Long Beach, Calif., and Miss Helen Irwin of Sioux City. Mr. Irwin was well and favorably known in Ireton as he farmed in this vicinity for many years 'before he retired and moved to Sioux City. Those from Ireton who attended the services in Sioux City were Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Taylor, Miss Margaret Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bartlett and Ora Grau. Several other friends in Ireton attended the services at the local cemetery.

OBITUARY OF HATTIE B. IRWIN
From the Alton Democrat of Jun 29, 1901
Ireton News.
The funeral of Mrs. Irwin from the Untied Presbyterian church last Thursday was largely attended.
(This was found to be Mrs. William Irwin. William was born Sept 17, 1857 Ireland and died 1937. Hattie was born 1861 or 1862 and died 1900 at Ireton IA. They were married Jan 1, 1884 Hanover Jo Daviess Ill. They had three children Charles 1885, Mary Ellen 1886 and William 1893. In 1904 William married Mary Jane Miller in Chicago and they moved to Sioux City later.

OBITUARY OF MARY JANE IRWIN (Mother of William)
Ireton Ledger August 21, 1941
Last Rites Held For Mrs. Mary Jane Irwin Aug 16
Passed Away at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Aug 13th In St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Mrs. Mary Jane Irwin of 3901 Fourth Avenue Sioux City, Iowa after an illness of six weeks duration, passed away peacefully at 5:30 p.m. last Wednesday August 13th in St. Joseph’s hospital .
Mrs. Irwin was born Jan 16, 1876 at Hanover Illinois. At an early age she moved with her parents to a farm near Ireton. Here she completed her education and grew to womanhood.
She was married to Wm. N. Irwin on March 11, 1904 in Chicago IL. To this union one child Helen, was born Shortly after their marriage they moved to a farm near Ireton. The fall of 1919 they moved to a new home that they had erected on Lakeport Road in Sioux City IA. They lived here for many years making new friends and endearing themselves to the people of the community.
In 1937 they sold the beautiful home and prepared to move to California. Mr. Irwin however was called to his heavenly home ere these plans were realized. After a western trip of some months, Mrs. Irwin returned to spend her remaining days with her friends in Sioux City.
When only a girl in her teens Mrs. Irwin united with the Presbyterian church in Ireton. Later her religious affections were transferred to Morningside Presbyterian church in Sioux City. Through all these years she led an exemplary Christian life. She was always willing to perform any task that was given to her. For many years she acted a superintendent of the kindergarten department in the Morningside church. The children loved her dearly and to them she was deeply devoted.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Helen Osman, Bremerton, Washington; a granddaughter, Mary Jane Osman, Bremerton, Washington; a stepson, Charles Irwin, of Sioux City; a stepdaughter, Mrs. Marion Winterburn, Long Beach, Calif.; three sisters, Margaret Miller, Sioux City; Mrs. Wm. Taylor Ireton; and Mrs. Elizabeth Shaver , Iowa City; also two brothers Richard Miller, Ireton; and Robert Miller, New London IA.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday Aug 16 in Christy’s chapel in Morningside. Rev. W. R. Moore, her beloved pastor officiated. His sermon was filled with eulogistic remarks for the departed member of this church. God needed her so called her home. Miss Marjorie Griffith, accompanied by Mrs. Edna McLaughlin furnished the inspiring music. Interment services were conducted in Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Ireton where her body was laid to rest beside that of her husband who preceded her in death. Many friends unable to attend the service in Sioux City had gathered here to pay their last respects to their friend and neighbor.