Irwin, Alexander

IRWIN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 15:38:48

ALEXANDER IRWIN
born Sep 9, 1843, Ohio

Alexander Irwin, deceased, was one of the honored and esteemed citizens of Warren county, Iowa. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, September 9, 1843, and died at his pleasant home in Virginia township, August 22, 1895, respected by all who knew him. His childhood days were passed in Harrison county, Ohio, and he was descended from a sterling family, noted for excellent traits of character. He came to the West at an early day, and taking up his residence in Warren county here formed the acquaintance of Miss Susan Elizabeth Steele, a native of Missouri, born in Adair county, September 20, 1859. Her parents were John and Mary (Gher) Steele, who in 1861 left their Missouri farm and came to Iowa, settling in Wapello county. Subsequently they removed to Madison county, later to Clarke county, and afterward to Warren county, but again went to Clarke county. The mother died when Mrs. Irwin was a maiden of twelve summers, passing away in Clarke county, on the 8th of April, 1871, at the age of fifty- four years. She was a devout Christian woman, reared in the faith of the Dunkard Church. Maryland was the State of her nativity, and there she became the wife of Mr. Steele, a Pennsylvanian by birth, to whom she proved a faithful companion and helpmeet. He was a straightforward and honorable business man, and his death occurred in 1868.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin was celebrated at the home of her sister, Mrs. Mary Henthorn, of Clarke county, on the 5th of April, 1877, and was blessed with a family of six children, namely: Ida, who was born March 13, 1878, and is now attending the high school; Theophilus, born October 4, 1880; Ray, born July 6, 1884; Nellie, born July 15, 1886; Nora, born May 8, 1888; and Lois, born October 15, 1891. In his business dealings Mr. Irwin met with fair success and by his energy and enterprise succeeded in accumulating 400 acres of valuable land, which leaves his family in comfortable circumstances. His life was one of honor and uprightness, and he won the high regard of all with whom business or social relations brought him in contact. He was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife is a member of the United Brethren Church. She is now devoting herself to her children and to the management of her business interests, in which she displays excellent ability. Over her home she presides with gracious hospitality and her friends are many. Source: A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1896, vol.1, p.434