Frederic Irwin is the superintendent of the Idaho & Pittsburg Mining & Milling Company’s Black Jack mines on Florida Mountain, near Silver City, Owyhee County. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Sewickley, Allegheny County, November 15, 1859. On the paternal side he is of Scotch lineage and on the maternal is of Scotch descent. His ancestors were among the early settlers on the Atlantic coast and representatives of the Irwin family aided the colonies in their struggle to throw off the yoke of British tyranny. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject served as adjutant general on the staff of General Wayne, and gallantly bore his part in the war which resulted in the establishment of the American republic. His son, John Irwin, was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and became a large real-estate owner there.
John Irwin, Jr., father of our subject, was born in Sewickley, that county, and married Martha M. Nevin. He became largely interested in the oil business and was one of the early operators on Oil creek, Pennsylvania. He later became connected with the firm of T. H. Nevin & Company in the manufacture of white lead in Pittsgburg. He was also president of the Alleghany Insurance Company, treasurer of the Pittsburg Steel Casting Company and president of the Ida-ho & Pittsburg Mining & Milling Company. He has now reached the age of seventy-six years and has largely retired from the active cares of life, but for many years was a most important factor in the business circles of Pittsburg, on account of his extensive and varied interests. His wife departed this life at the age of sixty-three years. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are yet living. In religious faith the family has long been identified with the Presbyterian Church.
Frederic Irwin is a graduate of the Western University of Pennsylvania, and on completing the scientific course in that institution the degree of Ph. B. was conferred upon him. He then entered upon his business career and was engaged in mercantile and journalistic pursuits until 1891, when he was appointed to his present position as superintendent of the Idaho & Pittsburg Mining & Milling Company, taking charge of the Black Jack mine in April, 1891. With characteristic energy and enterprise he entered his new field of labor, and that the fame of the mine is so widespread is due to his efforts. He is also consulting engineer of the Poorman gold mines, owned by a London (England) syndicate, and is very popular in mining circles. He possesses marked business and executive ability, keen discrimination and correct foresight, and is exceptionally well qualified for the superintendency of the extensive mining interests now in his charge.
In his political affiliation Mr. Irwin is a “silver” Republican, and socially is connected with Capital City Lodge, No. 310, B. P. O. E., of Boise. He is a gentleman of marked courtesy, genial disposition and agreeable manner, and in consequence makes friends wherever he goes.
