FAMILIES I-L: IRWIN ~ John Irwin

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John Irwin (1757-1835)

Cornelius Irwin. The progressive and energetic agriculturists of the Miami Valley are usually loath to turn over their interests to other hands, but when they have completed a long service of labor in developing the rich soil of this fertile region and finally settle down to retirement, they make substantial citizens who represent the best element of country life. One of the men of Darrtown who, after many years spent in farming and stock raising in Butler county, is now enjoying the comforts of retired life, is Cornelius Irwin. This highly respected citizen was born two miles north of Darrtown, February 25, 1842, a son of John and Caroline (Horner) Irwin, a grandson of Morton Irwin, Esq., of Pennsylvania, and a great-grandson of emigrants from Scotland. The first of the Irwin family of this branch to locate in Ohio was John Irwin, who was among the first settlers in the Darrtown vicinity, where he secured wild land, cleared a farm, and established a home for himself and family. He was a progressive citizen who took an interest in the needs of his community, and contributed his labors to the early efforts of the people at road-making, by assisting to cut highways through the woods. He married a Miss Crawford, daughter of James Crawford, an early settler and merchant of Darrtown. Squire Morton Irwin secured land north of Darrtown, where he cleared a farm and made a home, and there he and his worthy wife passed their entire lives as highly esteemed citizens. Their children were eight in number, as follows: John, James, Stephen, William, Sylvester, Thomas, Robert and Mary. John Irwin, father of Cornelius, grew up on the old home place and received his education in the local public schools. He was married in 1832 to Caroline Horner, and together they worked to the accumulation of an entire section of land, section 17, in Milford township, which at one time was all in heavy timber, but a large part of which was cleared through Mr. Irwin's industry. He was a general farmer, but also did a good deal of stock raising, and his progressive nature was exemplified in the fact that he was the first to bring Poland China hogs into his part of the county. He was widely known in his community, where he served as township trustee, and was a democrat in his political views. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Darrtown, in the faith of which he died at the age of seventy-one years, Mrs. Irwin passing away in 1854. John and Caroline Irwin were the parents of the following children: Joseph, deceased, of Milford township, who married the late Christina Wengling; Cornelius of this notice; Adelia Ann, who died in 1870; Harriette who died in 1852; Frank, who is single and lives at Hamilton; William; and Caroline, of Niles, Mich., widow of Robert King. William Irwin, brother of Cornelius Irwin, was married June 8, 1870, to Harriet, daughter of Adam and Catherine (Wehr) Flenner, farming people of near Overpeck Ohio, who subsequently secured a farm near Darrtown and finally moved to Woodsdale, where they continued farming all their lives. By his first marriage Mr. Flenner had the following children: Chambers B., deceased; Nathan, who remained single and was a farmer all his life in Milford township; Louisa, deceased, who was the wife of Huston Kuyger; Harriett, who married William Irwin; Lavanda, the widow of John Clemons, of Hamilton; and Catherine. Mr. Flenner married for his second wife, Amanda Hamrick, and they had six children: Belle, who married John Cook, of Westchester, Ohio; Elizabeth, who married James Wehr, of Overpeck, Ohio; Mr. and Mrs. William Irwin located on a part of the old home place James, of Trenton, Ohio; and Maggie. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. William Irvin located on a part of the old home place in Milford township, where they lived for fifteen years. Their two sons were Orville D. and Oscar L. Cornelius Irwin was educated in the public schools and reared as a farmer on the home place. He was married June 3, 1874, to Catherine Flenner, who died in June, 1912. To this union there was born a son who died in infancy. In young manhood Mr. Irwin had devoted a great deal of his time to school teaching, but following his marriage settled down to farming, and for several years resided on the home place. He then purchased eighty acres of land north of Darrtown, on which he carried on successful operations in farming and stockraising for more than a quarter of a century, but finally retired from active pursuits, having accumulated a satisfying competency, and has since resided in his comfortable home at Darrtown, in which community he is held in the highest esteem and respect. Mr. Irwin has always been interested in local affairs and is a citizen who has faithfully discharged the duties of citizenship. In 1870 he took the values of real estate, and for several years served as township assessor. Politically he is a Democrat, and fraternally has been affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for many years. His friends in the county are as numerous as his acquaintances.

Russell T. Irwin. Two vocations, hotel keeping and farming, have occupied the energies and abilities of Russell T. Irwin, one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of Reily township, Butler county. Mr. Irwin came of an agricultural family and was reared as an agriculturist, but allowed his attention to be diverted to the management of hostelries. Eventually, however, he answered the call of the soil, and at this time owns the old Taylor Alexander place, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and productiveness. Mr. Irwin was born at Bunker Hill, Ohio, November 6, 1869, a son of Morton Irwin. His father was born at Darrtown, son of John Irwin, who emigrated from Ireland to the United States in young manhood and settled in the vicinity of Darrtown, Butler county, where he passed the remaining years of his life as an agriculturist and there died. Morton Irwin was given the advantages of attendance at the home schools of his native locality and grew up as a farmer's son remaining- at home and assisting his father until his marriage to Mary Marshall, of Darrtown. Following his union, he embarked in farming on his own account, but later went to Fairhaven, Ohio, where he established himself in business as the propietor of a large store which he conducted for several years. Still later he disposed of his holdings at Fairhaven and removed to Bunker Hill, which continued to be his place of residence until his death in 1912, when he was eighty-four years of age. His wife passed away in 1910, when she had reached the age of seventy-six years, and both were God-fearing people and church members who were highly respected in their community. Mr. Irwin was independent in his political belief and voted for the candidate whom he thought best fitted for the office, refusing to be governed by party lines. He and his wife became the parents of eleven children, of whom nine grew to maturity: Louisa, of Reily township, widow of Alfred Stitzel; Maude; Russell T.; Bert, a hotel keeper at Reily; Merle, a farmer; John, Cora and Gertie, who are deceased; and Harry, who lives at Kansas City, Mo. Russell T. Irwin attended the district schools and the public school at Mt. Auburn, Ohio, and resided at home until he reached the age of twenty-five years, for the most part being associated with his father in the elder man's business ventures. When he left the parental roof he went to Millville, and for three years was engaged in the hotel business there, but disposed of his interests at the end of that time and located at Reily, where for fifteen years he was the proprietor of a popular caravansery which secured a large patronage from the traveling public as well as from the residents of the community. Eventually, he decided to again turn his attention to farming, and in 1917 located on the farm which he now occupies, the old Taylor Alexander place, where he has 167 acres in a high state of cultivation. He has made numerous improvements, including Delco lights throughout, and in addition to his comfortable and attractive home, has a large and commodious barn, fully equipped, and outbuildings of a substantial character. Mr. Irwin is a general farmer and has a thorough knowledge of the business as is evidenced by the success which he has made therein. He is a man of high principles whose name stands high in commercial circles and whose signature is instantly accepted on commercial paper, and as a citizen has shown his public spirit on numerous occasions. As a voter he is a Democrat, and his fraternal connection is with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Hamilton Lodge, No. 407. Mr. Irwin was married at Bunker Hill to Elizabeth, daughter of George and Anna Popp, both deceased, natives of Germany who were farming people for some years in the Bunker Hill neighborhood. To this union there has been born one son, Howard L., born at Bunker Hill, Ohio, in February, 1900, who has always been associated with his father and is now assisting him ably in his farming operations.

BELOW: This image shows the John, the father, and Thomas S. (Sylvester) Irwin, the son, section of the Irwin family chart in the Darrtown Family Tree at Ancesty.com.

"Sun. Apr. 17 - At home AM. This PM, I called to see "Dad" Irwin and talked with him probably for the last time. We talked about fishing, turtle hunting, and mushrooms.

Sun. Apr. 24 - -Mrs. Miller called on Mrs. Sylvester Irwin who was widowed by the death of her husband, Sylvester Irwin.

Mon. Apr. 25 - A cold day. At home, looking after chick and chores. I attended the obsequies of Sylvester Irwin, known as "Dad." A noted character. I was chosen one of the pall bearers. Mr. Irwin was a good friend of ours. Peace to his ashes. We bury his faults with him and they shall go unnamed by us."

BELOW: This section shows excerpts from the L.A. Miller's 1910 diary - wherein, Mr. MIller refers to the passing of Sylvester Irwin.

(First wife)

(Second wife)

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