h/o Annie Nathaniel Cox
Birth: Pleasant Plains, Sangamon county, Illinois
Their home (pictured at right), was on the Victorian Home Tour: The Irwin Home, 1327 Main street - Queen Anne home of postmaster & mine owner, Thomas K Irwin. (father of Edgar H Irwin)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ The following article profiled T. K. Irwin in the October 8, 1891 edition of the Carthage Weekly Press newspaper.
It read:
Our Postmaster
Probably one of the best known men in Jasper county is Thomas K. Irwin, the worthy postmaster of this city, Mr. Irwin was born on April 13, 1838 in Sangamon county, IL., where he was raised. His father having died in 1852. Mr. Irwin was left at the age of 14 years at the head of a family, he being the eldest son. In 1867 he was married to Miss Anna N. Cox, of Cass county, IL., and has four children, two boys and two girls. He followed farming as an occupation in Illinois till 1870 when he moved to this county and settled on a farm, nine miles northeast of this city, where he lived till 1883, when he moved to this city and took an interest in the Carthage Cracker and Candy Factory devoting his time and energy and building up a successful business until it was destroyed by fire, causing hi to sustain heavy losses. As an auctioneer, Mr. Irwin became known far and wide, having no superior, crying nearly all the sales in this and adjoining counties and often receiving calls to cry extensive sales in other sections of the county and in this way becoming well known to the people. In politics he has been a Republican, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and has never lost a vote since. Mr. Irwin was appointed postmaster of this city by President Harrison in 1890 and with the aid of his efficient corps of assistants is serving the people to their satisfaction and proving himself an efficient government official.
✽ᔝᔝ✽ᔝᔝ✽ᔝᔝ✽ᔝᔝ✽
~ Following information from: The Biographical Record of Jasper County, Missouri By Malcolm G. McGregor.
"THOMAS K IRWIN
"One who is connected with the rich mineral resources of southwestern Missouri is Thomas K Irwin. A native of Sangamon county Illinois he was born about ten miles from the city of Springfield April 13 1838 a son of Hugh B and Priscilla Kyle Irwin His paternal grandfather, Lindsey S Irwin died in Sangamon county about 1846 and his wife who bore the maiden name of Rachel Kazine passed away in the same locality where they had located in pioneer times aiding in the early development and improvement of that portion of Illinois.
"Hugh B Irwin was born in North Carolina in 1812 and in 1820 accompanied his parents on their removal to Sangamon county where he was reared to farm life an occupation which he followed throughout his own business career He passed away in 1852 but his wife who was born in Hamilton county Ohio in 1820 long survived him, her death occurring in 1896 when she had reached the advanced age of seventy-six years.
"Thomas K Irwin spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Sangamon and Menard counties Illinois where he attended the common schools thus acquiring a fair English education He remained on the old homestead until his marriage which occurred in 1866 Miss Anna M Cox of Cass county Illinois becoming his wife. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm and there remained until 1871 when they came to Jasper county Missouri locating on a tract of land nine miles east of Carthage. At that place Mr Irwin opened up and improved a good farm...
"In 1883 he sold his farm and removed to Carthage and in connection with others he organized the Southwestern Candy & Cracker Company conducting the enterprise until 1884 when the plant was destroyed by fire and he lost everything that he had made and saved Mr Irwin in order to gain a new start in business then engaged in auctioneering for a time and when he had made a little money he formed a partnership with F D Porter in the grocery business which they carried on from 1886 until 1890 when Mr Irwin retired from mercantile life to enter upon the discharge of his official duties having been appointed postmaster of Carthage by President Harrison ...
"He then formed a partnership with J W Ground under the firm name of Ground & Irwin and turned his attention to mining. They leased land and opened up the famous Dunning mine one among the best producers of the county In 1897 they sold the property for a quarter of a million dollars Mr Irwin is otherwise largely interested in mining and from his mines receives a royalty which annually returns to him a good income. ..."
Census: 1870, age 32 in Sangamon county, Illinois with wife & child.
Census: 1880, age 40 Madison township, Jasper county, Missouri, with wife & two children.
Census: 1900, age 62 Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri with wife & three children.
~ From Mornin' Mail Archives of 1903:
EX-CONGRESSMAN WADE HERE.
The Guest of His Old Friend T. K. Irwin —
Enthusiastic Roosevelt Man.
Ex-Congressman W. H. Wade, of Springfield, arrived in Carthage last night to visit with his old friend T. K. Irwin. Col. Wade is a staunch Republican and represented this district in congress from 1885 to 1891 — in the days when Green county was in this district. Col. Wade secured the appointment of Mr. Irwin as postmaster for Carthage under President Harrison. He is an old friend of Hon. John N. Schooler, of northeast of town, they having served in the state legislature together, and as soon as Mr. Irwin received notice that Col. Wade was coming he immediately sent word for Mr. Schooler to come in and join them.
The ex-congressman is a tall, white haired, well preserved, fine appearing man and is evidently in the best of health. He still lives on a fine farm near Springfield — a fact which made him known as Farmer Wade in the days when he was actively in politics.
Col. Wade is an enthusiastic Roosevelt man and not only thinks the president will be renominated as the result of a practical unanimous sentiment in his favor, but thinks any other nomination would be exceedingly ill advised.
Census: 1910, age 72 (name, Irvin) Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri with wife, two children and a servant, at 1327 south Main street, a mine owner and operator, next south at 1331 is James Luke, also a mine owner plus real estate owner.
Occupations, from Federal census: farmer, merchant, postmaster, mine operator.
Death: 10:40 pm of stomach cancer, Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri
The death certificate can be viewed at Missouri Digital Archives/death certificates online website.
*•★*•~*~★*~*~•★*•*
CARTHAGE EVENING PRESS SATURDAY, February 12, 1916
END COMES TO T. K. IRWIN
CATARRH OF STOMACH FATAL TO PIONEER BUSINESS MAN
Prominent Mine Owner and Railroad Builder Was 78 Years Old - Postmaster Here Four Years
T. K. Irwin, pioneer Carthage business man and capitalist, died at 10:30 o'clock last night at the Irwin home at 1327 South Main street. Death was caused by catarrh of the stomach. He had been in failing health for more than a year and had been critically sick three weeks.
Mr. Irwin, who was nearly 78 years old, was born April 13, 1838, about 10 miles from Springfield, Illinois, where he attended the common schools. The father died when Mr. Irwin was about 14 years old, but the mother lived several years longer.
Mr. Irwin remained on the old homestead until his marriage, which took place in 1867, when Miss Annie Cox, of Cass county, Illinois became his wife. The young couple began their domestic life on a farm, remaining in Illinois until 1871, when they came to this county and located on a tract of land nine mile northeast of Carthage. At that place Mr. Irwin developed a good farm, which received his attention for some time. He also engaged in raising and handling of stock, feeding to some extent and shipping to the city markets. In 1883 the farm was sold and Mr. and Mrs. Irwin moved to Carthage, where Mr. Irwin in connection with others organized the Southwest Candy and Cracker company, which enterprise was conducted until 1884, where a fire destroyed the plant and consumed everything that had been made and saved by Mr. Irwin.
Postmaster Here Four Years
In order to gain a new start he engaged in the auctioneering business gaining a wide reputation in this connection, and when a little capital had been accumulated he formed a partnership with F. D. Porter in the grocery business, which they carried on from 1886 until 1890, when Mr. Irwin retired from mercantile life to enter on his duties as Carthage postmaster, to which he place he had been appointed by President Harrison. At the end of a successful four-year term in that office he formed a partnership with J. W. Ground, and they under the firm name of Ground & Irwin, entered the mining business and were very successful, owning a number of rich mining tracts. At the time of Mr. Irwin's death they were associated in a number of business enterprises. Mr. Ground now resides in Kansas City but formerly made his home here. Mr. Irwin also made large investments and held extensive interests in lumber plants and timber lands. He, J. W. Ground, and the late Frank Hill and others ten years ago built and conducted a large sulfurous concentrating plant at Cody, [Teton county,] Wyoming.
Helped Build Joplin-Pittsburg Line
Mr. Irwin was an active worker in Republican politics. Probably his political views were influenced to a considerable extent by his associations with Abraham Lincoln, who was a warm personal friend of his. His first vote was cast for Mr. Lincoln in a presidential election. Mr. Lincoln was the attorney for Mr. Irwin's father's estate. He was a Mason, having been a member of Carthage lodge No. 197. He became a Christian in early life and was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian church when he died. He was of a philanthropic disposition and performed many charitable deeds, which were known only to a few. The surviving members of his family are the wife, two sons, Ed T. Irwin and Orin H. Irwin, both of this city, two daughters, Mrs. Eula H. Lane, wife of J. M. Lane, of Joplin and Mrs. Myrtle H. Craig, wife of Clarence Craig of Joplin, and a sister; Mrs. Annie Teeple who resides in Logan, Kansas. All the members of the family were at the beside when death came. Funeral services were conducted from the Irwin home. The Rev. Dr. J. D. McCaughtry, pastor of the First Presbyterian church and Rev. A. J. Van Wagner officiated. The Masonic lodge conducted fraternal ceremonies at the grave. Burial was in Park Cemetery.
Obituary courtesy of NJBrewer 7 Oct 2011
Father: Hugh B Irwin b: 30 AUG 1812 in Cabarrus City, North Carolina
Mother: Priscilla Kyle b: 2 OCT 1819 in Hamilton county, Ohio
Marriage: Annie Nathaniel Cox b: 13 JUL 1847 in Kentucky
Married: 24 JAN 1867, Cass county, Illinois
Known Children
Edgar Hugh Irwin b: 15 JAN 1868 Sangamon county, Illinois
Infant daughter Irwin b: (date unknown) Sangamon county, Illinois
Eula Harris Irwin b: 5 MAY 1876 , Madison township, Jasper county, Missouri
Orin Homer Irwin b: 26 JUN 1885 Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri
Myrtle Helene Irwin b: Abt 1887 Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri
Birth: Pleasant Plains, Sangamon county, Illinois
Their home (pictured at right), was on the Victorian Home Tour: The Irwin Home, 1327 Main street - Queen Anne home of postmaster & mine owner, Thomas K Irwin. (father of Edgar H Irwin)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ The following article profiled T. K. Irwin in the October 8, 1891 edition of the Carthage Weekly Press newspaper.
It read:
Our Postmaster
Probably one of the best known men in Jasper county is Thomas K. Irwin, the worthy postmaster of this city, Mr. Irwin was born on April 13, 1838 in Sangamon county, IL., where he was raised. His father having died in 1852. Mr. Irwin was left at the age of 14 years at the head of a family, he being the eldest son. In 1867 he was married to Miss Anna N. Cox, of Cass county, IL., and has four children, two boys and two girls. He followed farming as an occupation in Illinois till 1870 when he moved to this county and settled on a farm, nine miles northeast of this city, where he lived till 1883, when he moved to this city and took an interest in the Carthage Cracker and Candy Factory devoting his time and energy and building up a successful business until it was destroyed by fire, causing hi to sustain heavy losses. As an auctioneer, Mr. Irwin became known far and wide, having no superior, crying nearly all the sales in this and adjoining counties and often receiving calls to cry extensive sales in other sections of the county and in this way becoming well known to the people. In politics he has been a Republican, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and has never lost a vote since. Mr. Irwin was appointed postmaster of this city by President Harrison in 1890 and with the aid of his efficient corps of assistants is serving the people to their satisfaction and proving himself an efficient government official.
✽ᔝᔝ✽ᔝᔝ✽ᔝᔝ✽ᔝᔝ✽
~ Following information from: The Biographical Record of Jasper County, Missouri By Malcolm G. McGregor.
"THOMAS K IRWIN
"One who is connected with the rich mineral resources of southwestern Missouri is Thomas K Irwin. A native of Sangamon county Illinois he was born about ten miles from the city of Springfield April 13 1838 a son of Hugh B and Priscilla Kyle Irwin His paternal grandfather, Lindsey S Irwin died in Sangamon county about 1846 and his wife who bore the maiden name of Rachel Kazine passed away in the same locality where they had located in pioneer times aiding in the early development and improvement of that portion of Illinois.
"Hugh B Irwin was born in North Carolina in 1812 and in 1820 accompanied his parents on their removal to Sangamon county where he was reared to farm life an occupation which he followed throughout his own business career He passed away in 1852 but his wife who was born in Hamilton county Ohio in 1820 long survived him, her death occurring in 1896 when she had reached the advanced age of seventy-six years.
"Thomas K Irwin spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Sangamon and Menard counties Illinois where he attended the common schools thus acquiring a fair English education He remained on the old homestead until his marriage which occurred in 1866 Miss Anna M Cox of Cass county Illinois becoming his wife. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm and there remained until 1871 when they came to Jasper county Missouri locating on a tract of land nine miles east of Carthage. At that place Mr Irwin opened up and improved a good farm...
"In 1883 he sold his farm and removed to Carthage and in connection with others he organized the Southwestern Candy & Cracker Company conducting the enterprise until 1884 when the plant was destroyed by fire and he lost everything that he had made and saved Mr Irwin in order to gain a new start in business then engaged in auctioneering for a time and when he had made a little money he formed a partnership with F D Porter in the grocery business which they carried on from 1886 until 1890 when Mr Irwin retired from mercantile life to enter upon the discharge of his official duties having been appointed postmaster of Carthage by President Harrison ...
"He then formed a partnership with J W Ground under the firm name of Ground & Irwin and turned his attention to mining. They leased land and opened up the famous Dunning mine one among the best producers of the county In 1897 they sold the property for a quarter of a million dollars Mr Irwin is otherwise largely interested in mining and from his mines receives a royalty which annually returns to him a good income. ..."
Census: 1870, age 32 in Sangamon county, Illinois with wife & child.
Census: 1880, age 40 Madison township, Jasper county, Missouri, with wife & two children.
Census: 1900, age 62 Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri with wife & three children.
~ From Mornin' Mail Archives of 1903:
EX-CONGRESSMAN WADE HERE.
The Guest of His Old Friend T. K. Irwin —
Enthusiastic Roosevelt Man.
Ex-Congressman W. H. Wade, of Springfield, arrived in Carthage last night to visit with his old friend T. K. Irwin. Col. Wade is a staunch Republican and represented this district in congress from 1885 to 1891 — in the days when Green county was in this district. Col. Wade secured the appointment of Mr. Irwin as postmaster for Carthage under President Harrison. He is an old friend of Hon. John N. Schooler, of northeast of town, they having served in the state legislature together, and as soon as Mr. Irwin received notice that Col. Wade was coming he immediately sent word for Mr. Schooler to come in and join them.
The ex-congressman is a tall, white haired, well preserved, fine appearing man and is evidently in the best of health. He still lives on a fine farm near Springfield — a fact which made him known as Farmer Wade in the days when he was actively in politics.
Col. Wade is an enthusiastic Roosevelt man and not only thinks the president will be renominated as the result of a practical unanimous sentiment in his favor, but thinks any other nomination would be exceedingly ill advised.
Census: 1910, age 72 (name, Irvin) Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri with wife, two children and a servant, at 1327 south Main street, a mine owner and operator, next south at 1331 is James Luke, also a mine owner plus real estate owner.
Occupations, from Federal census: farmer, merchant, postmaster, mine operator.
Death: 10:40 pm of stomach cancer, Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri
The death certificate can be viewed at Missouri Digital Archives/death certificates online website.
*•★*•~*~★*~*~•★*•*
CARTHAGE EVENING PRESS SATURDAY, February 12, 1916
END COMES TO T. K. IRWIN
CATARRH OF STOMACH FATAL TO PIONEER BUSINESS MAN
Prominent Mine Owner and Railroad Builder Was 78 Years Old - Postmaster Here Four Years
T. K. Irwin, pioneer Carthage business man and capitalist, died at 10:30 o'clock last night at the Irwin home at 1327 South Main street. Death was caused by catarrh of the stomach. He had been in failing health for more than a year and had been critically sick three weeks.
Mr. Irwin, who was nearly 78 years old, was born April 13, 1838, about 10 miles from Springfield, Illinois, where he attended the common schools. The father died when Mr. Irwin was about 14 years old, but the mother lived several years longer.
Mr. Irwin remained on the old homestead until his marriage, which took place in 1867, when Miss Annie Cox, of Cass county, Illinois became his wife. The young couple began their domestic life on a farm, remaining in Illinois until 1871, when they came to this county and located on a tract of land nine mile northeast of Carthage. At that place Mr. Irwin developed a good farm, which received his attention for some time. He also engaged in raising and handling of stock, feeding to some extent and shipping to the city markets. In 1883 the farm was sold and Mr. and Mrs. Irwin moved to Carthage, where Mr. Irwin in connection with others organized the Southwest Candy and Cracker company, which enterprise was conducted until 1884, where a fire destroyed the plant and consumed everything that had been made and saved by Mr. Irwin.
Postmaster Here Four Years
In order to gain a new start he engaged in the auctioneering business gaining a wide reputation in this connection, and when a little capital had been accumulated he formed a partnership with F. D. Porter in the grocery business, which they carried on from 1886 until 1890, when Mr. Irwin retired from mercantile life to enter on his duties as Carthage postmaster, to which he place he had been appointed by President Harrison. At the end of a successful four-year term in that office he formed a partnership with J. W. Ground, and they under the firm name of Ground & Irwin, entered the mining business and were very successful, owning a number of rich mining tracts. At the time of Mr. Irwin's death they were associated in a number of business enterprises. Mr. Ground now resides in Kansas City but formerly made his home here. Mr. Irwin also made large investments and held extensive interests in lumber plants and timber lands. He, J. W. Ground, and the late Frank Hill and others ten years ago built and conducted a large sulfurous concentrating plant at Cody, [Teton county,] Wyoming.
Helped Build Joplin-Pittsburg Line
Mr. Irwin was an active worker in Republican politics. Probably his political views were influenced to a considerable extent by his associations with Abraham Lincoln, who was a warm personal friend of his. His first vote was cast for Mr. Lincoln in a presidential election. Mr. Lincoln was the attorney for Mr. Irwin's father's estate. He was a Mason, having been a member of Carthage lodge No. 197. He became a Christian in early life and was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian church when he died. He was of a philanthropic disposition and performed many charitable deeds, which were known only to a few. The surviving members of his family are the wife, two sons, Ed T. Irwin and Orin H. Irwin, both of this city, two daughters, Mrs. Eula H. Lane, wife of J. M. Lane, of Joplin and Mrs. Myrtle H. Craig, wife of Clarence Craig of Joplin, and a sister; Mrs. Annie Teeple who resides in Logan, Kansas. All the members of the family were at the beside when death came. Funeral services were conducted from the Irwin home. The Rev. Dr. J. D. McCaughtry, pastor of the First Presbyterian church and Rev. A. J. Van Wagner officiated. The Masonic lodge conducted fraternal ceremonies at the grave. Burial was in Park Cemetery.
Obituary courtesy of NJBrewer 7 Oct 2011
Father: Hugh B Irwin b: 30 AUG 1812 in Cabarrus City, North Carolina
Mother: Priscilla Kyle b: 2 OCT 1819 in Hamilton county, Ohio
Marriage: Annie Nathaniel Cox b: 13 JUL 1847 in Kentucky
Married: 24 JAN 1867, Cass county, Illinois
Known Children
Edgar Hugh Irwin b: 15 JAN 1868 Sangamon county, Illinois
Infant daughter Irwin b: (date unknown) Sangamon county, Illinois
Eula Harris Irwin b: 5 MAY 1876 , Madison township, Jasper county, Missouri
Orin Homer Irwin b: 26 JUN 1885 Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri
Myrtle Helene Irwin b: Abt 1887 Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri
h/o Annie Nathaniel Cox
Birth: Pleasant Plains, Sangamon county, Illinois
Their home (pictured at right), was on the Victorian Home Tour: The Irwin Home, 1327 Main street - Queen Anne home of postmaster & mine owner, Thomas K Irwin. (father of Edgar H Irwin)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ The following article profiled T. K. Irwin in the October 8, 1891 edition of the Carthage Weekly Press newspaper.
It read:
Our Postmaster
Probably one of the best known men in Jasper county is Thomas K. Irwin, the worthy postmaster of this city, Mr. Irwin was born on April 13, 1838 in Sangamon county, IL., where he was raised. His father having died in 1852. Mr. Irwin was left at the age of 14 years at the head of a family, he being the eldest son. In 1867 he was married to Miss Anna N. Cox, of Cass county, IL., and has four children, two boys and two girls. He followed farming as an occupation in Illinois till 1870 when he moved to this county and settled on a farm, nine miles northeast of this city, where he lived till 1883, when he moved to this city and took an interest in the Carthage Cracker and Candy Factory devoting his time and energy and building up a successful business until it was destroyed by fire, causing hi to sustain heavy losses. As an auctioneer, Mr. Irwin became known far and wide, having no superior, crying nearly all the sales in this and adjoining counties and often receiving calls to cry extensive sales in other sections of the county and in this way becoming well known to the people. In politics he has been a Republican, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and has never lost a vote since. Mr. Irwin was appointed postmaster of this city by President Harrison in 1890 and with the aid of his efficient corps of assistants is serving the people to their satisfaction and proving himself an efficient government official.
✽ᔝᔝ✽ᔝᔝ✽ᔝᔝ✽ᔝᔝ✽
~ Following information from: The Biographical Record of Jasper County, Missouri By Malcolm G. McGregor.
"THOMAS K IRWIN
"One who is connected with the rich mineral resources of southwestern Missouri is Thomas K Irwin. A native of Sangamon county Illinois he was born about ten miles from the city of Springfield April 13 1838 a son of Hugh B and Priscilla Kyle Irwin His paternal grandfather, Lindsey S Irwin died in Sangamon county about 1846 and his wife who bore the maiden name of Rachel Kazine passed away in the same locality where they had located in pioneer times aiding in the early development and improvement of that portion of Illinois.
"Hugh B Irwin was born in North Carolina in 1812 and in 1820 accompanied his parents on their removal to Sangamon county where he was reared to farm life an occupation which he followed throughout his own business career He passed away in 1852 but his wife who was born in Hamilton county Ohio in 1820 long survived him, her death occurring in 1896 when she had reached the advanced age of seventy-six years.
"Thomas K Irwin spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Sangamon and Menard counties Illinois where he attended the common schools thus acquiring a fair English education He remained on the old homestead until his marriage which occurred in 1866 Miss Anna M Cox of Cass county Illinois becoming his wife. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm and there remained until 1871 when they came to Jasper county Missouri locating on a tract of land nine miles east of Carthage. At that place Mr Irwin opened up and improved a good farm...
"In 1883 he sold his farm and removed to Carthage and in connection with others he organized the Southwestern Candy & Cracker Company conducting the enterprise until 1884 when the plant was destroyed by fire and he lost everything that he had made and saved Mr Irwin in order to gain a new start in business then engaged in auctioneering for a time and when he had made a little money he formed a partnership with F D Porter in the grocery business which they carried on from 1886 until 1890 when Mr Irwin retired from mercantile life to enter upon the discharge of his official duties having been appointed postmaster of Carthage by President Harrison ...
"He then formed a partnership with J W Ground under the firm name of Ground & Irwin and turned his attention to mining. They leased land and opened up the famous Dunning mine one among the best producers of the county In 1897 they sold the property for a quarter of a million dollars Mr Irwin is otherwise largely interested in mining and from his mines receives a royalty which annually returns to him a good income. ..."
Census: 1870, age 32 in Sangamon county, Illinois with wife & child.
Census: 1880, age 40 Madison township, Jasper county, Missouri, with wife & two children.
Census: 1900, age 62 Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri with wife & three children.
~ From Mornin' Mail Archives of 1903:
EX-CONGRESSMAN WADE HERE.
The Guest of His Old Friend T. K. Irwin —
Enthusiastic Roosevelt Man.
Ex-Congressman W. H. Wade, of Springfield, arrived in Carthage last night to visit with his old friend T. K. Irwin. Col. Wade is a staunch Republican and represented this district in congress from 1885 to 1891 — in the days when Green county was in this district. Col. Wade secured the appointment of Mr. Irwin as postmaster for Carthage under President Harrison. He is an old friend of Hon. John N. Schooler, of northeast of town, they having served in the state legislature together, and as soon as Mr. Irwin received notice that Col. Wade was coming he immediately sent word for Mr. Schooler to come in and join them.
The ex-congressman is a tall, white haired, well preserved, fine appearing man and is evidently in the best of health. He still lives on a fine farm near Springfield — a fact which made him known as Farmer Wade in the days when he was actively in politics.
Col. Wade is an enthusiastic Roosevelt man and not only thinks the president will be renominated as the result of a practical unanimous sentiment in his favor, but thinks any other nomination would be exceedingly ill advised.
Census: 1910, age 72 (name, Irvin) Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri with wife, two children and a servant, at 1327 south Main street, a mine owner and operator, next south at 1331 is James Luke, also a mine owner plus real estate owner.
Occupations, from Federal census: farmer, merchant, postmaster, mine operator.
Death: 10:40 pm of stomach cancer, Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri
The death certificate can be viewed at Missouri Digital Archives/death certificates online website.
*•★*•~*~★*~*~•★*•*
CARTHAGE EVENING PRESS SATURDAY, February 12, 1916
END COMES TO T. K. IRWIN
CATARRH OF STOMACH FATAL TO PIONEER BUSINESS MAN
Prominent Mine Owner and Railroad Builder Was 78 Years Old - Postmaster Here Four Years
T. K. Irwin, pioneer Carthage business man and capitalist, died at 10:30 o'clock last night at the Irwin home at 1327 South Main street. Death was caused by catarrh of the stomach. He had been in failing health for more than a year and had been critically sick three weeks.
Mr. Irwin, who was nearly 78 years old, was born April 13, 1838, about 10 miles from Springfield, Illinois, where he attended the common schools. The father died when Mr. Irwin was about 14 years old, but the mother lived several years longer.
Mr. Irwin remained on the old homestead until his marriage, which took place in 1867, when Miss Annie Cox, of Cass county, Illinois became his wife. The young couple began their domestic life on a farm, remaining in Illinois until 1871, when they came to this county and located on a tract of land nine mile northeast of Carthage. At that place Mr. Irwin developed a good farm, which received his attention for some time. He also engaged in raising and handling of stock, feeding to some extent and shipping to the city markets. In 1883 the farm was sold and Mr. and Mrs. Irwin moved to Carthage, where Mr. Irwin in connection with others organized the Southwest Candy and Cracker company, which enterprise was conducted until 1884, where a fire destroyed the plant and consumed everything that had been made and saved by Mr. Irwin.
Postmaster Here Four Years
In order to gain a new start he engaged in the auctioneering business gaining a wide reputation in this connection, and when a little capital had been accumulated he formed a partnership with F. D. Porter in the grocery business, which they carried on from 1886 until 1890, when Mr. Irwin retired from mercantile life to enter on his duties as Carthage postmaster, to which he place he had been appointed by President Harrison. At the end of a successful four-year term in that office he formed a partnership with J. W. Ground, and they under the firm name of Ground & Irwin, entered the mining business and were very successful, owning a number of rich mining tracts. At the time of Mr. Irwin's death they were associated in a number of business enterprises. Mr. Ground now resides in Kansas City but formerly made his home here. Mr. Irwin also made large investments and held extensive interests in lumber plants and timber lands. He, J. W. Ground, and the late Frank Hill and others ten years ago built and conducted a large sulfurous concentrating plant at Cody, [Teton county,] Wyoming.
Helped Build Joplin-Pittsburg Line
Mr. Irwin was an active worker in Republican politics. Probably his political views were influenced to a considerable extent by his associations with Abraham Lincoln, who was a warm personal friend of his. His first vote was cast for Mr. Lincoln in a presidential election. Mr. Lincoln was the attorney for Mr. Irwin's father's estate. He was a Mason, having been a member of Carthage lodge No. 197. He became a Christian in early life and was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian church when he died. He was of a philanthropic disposition and performed many charitable deeds, which were known only to a few. The surviving members of his family are the wife, two sons, Ed T. Irwin and Orin H. Irwin, both of this city, two daughters, Mrs. Eula H. Lane, wife of J. M. Lane, of Joplin and Mrs. Myrtle H. Craig, wife of Clarence Craig of Joplin, and a sister; Mrs. Annie Teeple who resides in Logan, Kansas. All the members of the family were at the beside when death came. Funeral services were conducted from the Irwin home. The Rev. Dr. J. D. McCaughtry, pastor of the First Presbyterian church and Rev. A. J. Van Wagner officiated. The Masonic lodge conducted fraternal ceremonies at the grave. Burial was in Park Cemetery.
Obituary courtesy of NJBrewer 7 Oct 2011
Father: Hugh B Irwin b: 30 AUG 1812 in Cabarrus City, North Carolina
Mother: Priscilla Kyle b: 2 OCT 1819 in Hamilton county, Ohio
Marriage: Annie Nathaniel Cox b: 13 JUL 1847 in Kentucky
Married: 24 JAN 1867, Cass county, Illinois
Known Children
Edgar Hugh Irwin b: 15 JAN 1868 Sangamon county, Illinois
Infant daughter Irwin b: (date unknown) Sangamon county, Illinois
Eula Harris Irwin b: 5 MAY 1876 , Madison township, Jasper county, Missouri
Orin Homer Irwin b: 26 JUN 1885 Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri
Myrtle Helene Irwin b: Abt 1887 Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri
Birth: Pleasant Plains, Sangamon county, Illinois
Their home (pictured at right), was on the Victorian Home Tour: The Irwin Home, 1327 Main street - Queen Anne home of postmaster & mine owner, Thomas K Irwin. (father of Edgar H Irwin)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ The following article profiled T. K. Irwin in the October 8, 1891 edition of the Carthage Weekly Press newspaper.
It read:
Our Postmaster
Probably one of the best known men in Jasper county is Thomas K. Irwin, the worthy postmaster of this city, Mr. Irwin was born on April 13, 1838 in Sangamon county, IL., where he was raised. His father having died in 1852. Mr. Irwin was left at the age of 14 years at the head of a family, he being the eldest son. In 1867 he was married to Miss Anna N. Cox, of Cass county, IL., and has four children, two boys and two girls. He followed farming as an occupation in Illinois till 1870 when he moved to this county and settled on a farm, nine miles northeast of this city, where he lived till 1883, when he moved to this city and took an interest in the Carthage Cracker and Candy Factory devoting his time and energy and building up a successful business until it was destroyed by fire, causing hi to sustain heavy losses. As an auctioneer, Mr. Irwin became known far and wide, having no superior, crying nearly all the sales in this and adjoining counties and often receiving calls to cry extensive sales in other sections of the county and in this way becoming well known to the people. In politics he has been a Republican, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and has never lost a vote since. Mr. Irwin was appointed postmaster of this city by President Harrison in 1890 and with the aid of his efficient corps of assistants is serving the people to their satisfaction and proving himself an efficient government official.
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~ Following information from: The Biographical Record of Jasper County, Missouri By Malcolm G. McGregor.
"THOMAS K IRWIN
"One who is connected with the rich mineral resources of southwestern Missouri is Thomas K Irwin. A native of Sangamon county Illinois he was born about ten miles from the city of Springfield April 13 1838 a son of Hugh B and Priscilla Kyle Irwin His paternal grandfather, Lindsey S Irwin died in Sangamon county about 1846 and his wife who bore the maiden name of Rachel Kazine passed away in the same locality where they had located in pioneer times aiding in the early development and improvement of that portion of Illinois.
"Hugh B Irwin was born in North Carolina in 1812 and in 1820 accompanied his parents on their removal to Sangamon county where he was reared to farm life an occupation which he followed throughout his own business career He passed away in 1852 but his wife who was born in Hamilton county Ohio in 1820 long survived him, her death occurring in 1896 when she had reached the advanced age of seventy-six years.
"Thomas K Irwin spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Sangamon and Menard counties Illinois where he attended the common schools thus acquiring a fair English education He remained on the old homestead until his marriage which occurred in 1866 Miss Anna M Cox of Cass county Illinois becoming his wife. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm and there remained until 1871 when they came to Jasper county Missouri locating on a tract of land nine miles east of Carthage. At that place Mr Irwin opened up and improved a good farm...
"In 1883 he sold his farm and removed to Carthage and in connection with others he organized the Southwestern Candy & Cracker Company conducting the enterprise until 1884 when the plant was destroyed by fire and he lost everything that he had made and saved Mr Irwin in order to gain a new start in business then engaged in auctioneering for a time and when he had made a little money he formed a partnership with F D Porter in the grocery business which they carried on from 1886 until 1890 when Mr Irwin retired from mercantile life to enter upon the discharge of his official duties having been appointed postmaster of Carthage by President Harrison ...
"He then formed a partnership with J W Ground under the firm name of Ground & Irwin and turned his attention to mining. They leased land and opened up the famous Dunning mine one among the best producers of the county In 1897 they sold the property for a quarter of a million dollars Mr Irwin is otherwise largely interested in mining and from his mines receives a royalty which annually returns to him a good income. ..."
Census: 1870, age 32 in Sangamon county, Illinois with wife & child.
Census: 1880, age 40 Madison township, Jasper county, Missouri, with wife & two children.
Census: 1900, age 62 Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri with wife & three children.
~ From Mornin' Mail Archives of 1903:
EX-CONGRESSMAN WADE HERE.
The Guest of His Old Friend T. K. Irwin —
Enthusiastic Roosevelt Man.
Ex-Congressman W. H. Wade, of Springfield, arrived in Carthage last night to visit with his old friend T. K. Irwin. Col. Wade is a staunch Republican and represented this district in congress from 1885 to 1891 — in the days when Green county was in this district. Col. Wade secured the appointment of Mr. Irwin as postmaster for Carthage under President Harrison. He is an old friend of Hon. John N. Schooler, of northeast of town, they having served in the state legislature together, and as soon as Mr. Irwin received notice that Col. Wade was coming he immediately sent word for Mr. Schooler to come in and join them.
The ex-congressman is a tall, white haired, well preserved, fine appearing man and is evidently in the best of health. He still lives on a fine farm near Springfield — a fact which made him known as Farmer Wade in the days when he was actively in politics.
Col. Wade is an enthusiastic Roosevelt man and not only thinks the president will be renominated as the result of a practical unanimous sentiment in his favor, but thinks any other nomination would be exceedingly ill advised.
Census: 1910, age 72 (name, Irvin) Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri with wife, two children and a servant, at 1327 south Main street, a mine owner and operator, next south at 1331 is James Luke, also a mine owner plus real estate owner.
Occupations, from Federal census: farmer, merchant, postmaster, mine operator.
Death: 10:40 pm of stomach cancer, Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri
The death certificate can be viewed at Missouri Digital Archives/death certificates online website.
*•★*•~*~★*~*~•★*•*
CARTHAGE EVENING PRESS SATURDAY, February 12, 1916
END COMES TO T. K. IRWIN
CATARRH OF STOMACH FATAL TO PIONEER BUSINESS MAN
Prominent Mine Owner and Railroad Builder Was 78 Years Old - Postmaster Here Four Years
T. K. Irwin, pioneer Carthage business man and capitalist, died at 10:30 o'clock last night at the Irwin home at 1327 South Main street. Death was caused by catarrh of the stomach. He had been in failing health for more than a year and had been critically sick three weeks.
Mr. Irwin, who was nearly 78 years old, was born April 13, 1838, about 10 miles from Springfield, Illinois, where he attended the common schools. The father died when Mr. Irwin was about 14 years old, but the mother lived several years longer.
Mr. Irwin remained on the old homestead until his marriage, which took place in 1867, when Miss Annie Cox, of Cass county, Illinois became his wife. The young couple began their domestic life on a farm, remaining in Illinois until 1871, when they came to this county and located on a tract of land nine mile northeast of Carthage. At that place Mr. Irwin developed a good farm, which received his attention for some time. He also engaged in raising and handling of stock, feeding to some extent and shipping to the city markets. In 1883 the farm was sold and Mr. and Mrs. Irwin moved to Carthage, where Mr. Irwin in connection with others organized the Southwest Candy and Cracker company, which enterprise was conducted until 1884, where a fire destroyed the plant and consumed everything that had been made and saved by Mr. Irwin.
Postmaster Here Four Years
In order to gain a new start he engaged in the auctioneering business gaining a wide reputation in this connection, and when a little capital had been accumulated he formed a partnership with F. D. Porter in the grocery business, which they carried on from 1886 until 1890, when Mr. Irwin retired from mercantile life to enter on his duties as Carthage postmaster, to which he place he had been appointed by President Harrison. At the end of a successful four-year term in that office he formed a partnership with J. W. Ground, and they under the firm name of Ground & Irwin, entered the mining business and were very successful, owning a number of rich mining tracts. At the time of Mr. Irwin's death they were associated in a number of business enterprises. Mr. Ground now resides in Kansas City but formerly made his home here. Mr. Irwin also made large investments and held extensive interests in lumber plants and timber lands. He, J. W. Ground, and the late Frank Hill and others ten years ago built and conducted a large sulfurous concentrating plant at Cody, [Teton county,] Wyoming.
Helped Build Joplin-Pittsburg Line
Mr. Irwin was an active worker in Republican politics. Probably his political views were influenced to a considerable extent by his associations with Abraham Lincoln, who was a warm personal friend of his. His first vote was cast for Mr. Lincoln in a presidential election. Mr. Lincoln was the attorney for Mr. Irwin's father's estate. He was a Mason, having been a member of Carthage lodge No. 197. He became a Christian in early life and was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian church when he died. He was of a philanthropic disposition and performed many charitable deeds, which were known only to a few. The surviving members of his family are the wife, two sons, Ed T. Irwin and Orin H. Irwin, both of this city, two daughters, Mrs. Eula H. Lane, wife of J. M. Lane, of Joplin and Mrs. Myrtle H. Craig, wife of Clarence Craig of Joplin, and a sister; Mrs. Annie Teeple who resides in Logan, Kansas. All the members of the family were at the beside when death came. Funeral services were conducted from the Irwin home. The Rev. Dr. J. D. McCaughtry, pastor of the First Presbyterian church and Rev. A. J. Van Wagner officiated. The Masonic lodge conducted fraternal ceremonies at the grave. Burial was in Park Cemetery.
Obituary courtesy of NJBrewer 7 Oct 2011
Father: Hugh B Irwin b: 30 AUG 1812 in Cabarrus City, North Carolina
Mother: Priscilla Kyle b: 2 OCT 1819 in Hamilton county, Ohio
Marriage: Annie Nathaniel Cox b: 13 JUL 1847 in Kentucky
Married: 24 JAN 1867, Cass county, Illinois
Known Children
Edgar Hugh Irwin b: 15 JAN 1868 Sangamon county, Illinois
Infant daughter Irwin b: (date unknown) Sangamon county, Illinois
Eula Harris Irwin b: 5 MAY 1876 , Madison township, Jasper county, Missouri
Orin Homer Irwin b: 26 JUN 1885 Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri
Myrtle Helene Irwin b: Abt 1887 Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri
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