William Irwin, one of the early
settlers of Clayton County, Iowa, was born in County
Sligo, Ireland, in 1805. When thirty-eight years of age
he came to Canada. After coming to this county he
enlisted in the Government service with Judge Williams
and William Lenton and others. He married, in 1838, Kate
Omsby, by whom there was a family of eight children, six
daughters and two sons. Mr. Irwin came to this county in
limited circumstances, having but 50 cents in his pocket,
but by judicious management has accumulated a fine
property and home. Has 200 acres of land, valued at $40
per acre. Mrs. Irwin died in Clayton County in October,
1881. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 820 |