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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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Portrait and Biographical Album of
Huron County, Michigan
Pub. Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1884

           [389-390]

           ROBERT W. IRWIN, merchant and Postmaster, White Rock, is a son
        of STEPHEN and ELIZABETH (DUNDASS) IRWIN, natives of Ireland, who
        emigrated to Canada in their youth.  MRS. I. died in the summer of
        1881.  MR. IRWIN is still living.
           In their family were ten children, the eldest of whom is the
        subject of this sketch. He was born in Oxford Co., Ont., Oct. 17,
        1831, attended the common schools until 18 years of age, learned
        the carpenter's trade, and when 21 years of age came to St. Clair
        Co., Mich. There he worked at his trade until 1855, then followed
        photographing at different points for two years; in September,
        1857, he came to Huron County, and was employed by R. B. HUBBARD &
        Co., of Huron City, and for about three years had charge of their
        building and mill repairing. In the fall of 1860 he was elected to
        the office of County Clerk, being the first Clerk of the county. In
        the autumn of 1862 he was re-elected, and at the same time elected
        Register of Deeds. These offices he held four years; and during his
        official term, namely, in 1864, the county buildings were burned at
        Sand Beach, and he lost all his individual property; but he suc-
        ceeded in securing all the records, papers and documents belonging
        to the county, except some circuit court files, and one record of
        mortgages.
           In the fall of 1865, while the county offices were being re-
        built, MR. IRWIN engaged in mercantile business at Sand Beach, and
        enjoyed a large and successful trade until the memorable fall of
        1871, when his store and contents, as well as residence, were all
        consumed by the flaming element. His family barely escaped with
        their lives, in their night clothes! His loss was estimated at
        upward of $25,000.
           Going to Port Austin, he engaged in law and insurance, in part-
        nership with HON, RICHARD WINSOR, under the firm name of WINSOR &
        IRWIN. At the end of five years MR. I. sold out his interest in the
        law business to H. G. SNOVER and again engaged in merchandising, at
        Sand Beach, carrying on a successful and prosperous trade until
        September, 1883, when he sold out and purchased the salt block,
        brick, stone, dock, dwelling-house, and bought also the entire
        interest of THOMPSON Bros, at White Rock, at which place he was
        appointed Postmaster, Oct. 1, 1883. In the fall of 1868 he was
        elected Judge of Probate, and re-elected until he had had the
        office 12 consecutive years.
           MR. IRWIN was married Nov. 9, 1861, to MISS ELIZABETH, daughter
        of RICHARD and ELIZABETH (LONGWORTH) WINSOR, her father a native of
        England and her mother of Ireland. Her parents were married and
        settled in Canada, and removed to Huron City, Mich., in 1859, where
        he lived until his death, which occurred by drowning. (See RICHARD
        WINSOR'S Report.)
           MRS. IRWIN was born in Canada July 4, 1840. The children of Mr.
        and Mrs. I. are: EBER W., born in Huron Township, Sept. 3, 1863;
        NANA E., in Sand Beach, May 20, 1865; an infant, March 7, 1867,
        died 10 days subsequently; ROBERT W., JR., in Sand Beach, April 7,
        1869, and EARL S., in Port Huron, Dec. 8, 1883.
           MR. IRWIN has been a Freemason since 1857, when he joined the
        mystic order at Lexington; he now belongs to Huron Lodge, at Sand
        Beach, and also to the Royal Arch Chapter, and to Refugee Lodge, K.
        of H., of Sand Beach.  MRS. I. is a member of the Baptist Church.
           We take great pleasure in presenting the portrait of JUDGE IRWIN
        in this work, as of a gentlemen who has demonstrated that after
        suffering the most complete losses of his property, one can yet
        honestly and honorably rise to competency and a high station in
        society.

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