13th California Governor. A native of Ohio and an 1848 graduate of Marietta College, he was a teacher in his home state and in Mississippi until 1851, when he went west. He worked a variety of jobs in California and Oregon, eventually settling Siskiyou County. He began his political career as a member of the California State Assembly, serving from 1860 until 1863 and was the town trustee for Yreka from 1865 until 1866. He married Amelia Cassidy on December 21, 1865 in Yreka and they had a daughter named Emma. Elected to the State Senate in 1869, he was president pro tempore during his second term. As such, he became lieutenant governor when Romualdo Pacheco resigned to assume governorship. Irwin was subsequently elected as governor, serving from December 9, 1875 until January 8, 1880. During his term, paper money was introduced, the Southern Pacific's Los Angeles-San Francisco line was completed, and a new state constitution was adopted. Not nominated for governor in 1879, he was appointed to the Board of Harbor Commissioners of California, a position he held until his death.
13th California Governor. A native of Ohio and an 1848 graduate of Marietta College, he was a teacher in his home state and in Mississippi until 1851, when he went west. He worked a variety of jobs in California and Oregon, eventually settling Siskiyou County. He began his political career as a member of the California State Assembly, serving from 1860 until 1863 and was the town trustee for Yreka from 1865 until 1866. He married Amelia Cassidy on December 21, 1865 in Yreka and they had a daughter named Emma. Elected to the State Senate in 1869, he was president pro tempore during his second term. As such, he became lieutenant governor when Romualdo Pacheco resigned to assume governorship. Irwin was subsequently elected as governor, serving from December 9, 1875 until January 8, 1880. During his term, paper money was introduced, the Southern Pacific's Los Angeles-San Francisco line was completed, and a new state constitution was adopted. Not nominated for governor in 1879, he was appointed to the Board of Harbor Commissioners of California, a position he held until his death.
Bio by: Beth Painter
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