Print
Permanent LinkRepresentative John Nichol Irwin View All Years
JOHN N. IRWIN was born on Christmas Day, 1843, at Hamilton, Butler county, O.; he died at Hot Springs, Ark., Dec. 22, 1905. This death closed the career of one of the foremost business men and statesmen of southeastern Iowa. He was for the most part educated in the public schools of Keokuk, and at Miami University. At the age of 17 he enlisted as a private in the 45th Iowa Infantry, where he served several months, when he was discharged on account of defective sight. He then entered Dartmouth College, from which he graduated in 1867. Engaging in the wholesale dry goods trade with his father and T. F. Phillips, the firm became prominent and highly successful and was well known throughout the middle west. He served in the Iowa house of representatives in the session of 1882, from which time forward he was one of the most widely known public men in Iowa. In 1883 President Arthur appointed him Governor of Idaho. In 1890 President Harrison appointed him to the governorship of Arizona. He was appointed U. S. Minister to Portugal in 1899 by President McKinley, from which position he resigned a year later. During the intervals in his public service he was the recipient of many lesser honors at home. His life was one of great activity and usefulness.