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H. May Irwin |
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H. MAY IRWIN, journalist, was born at Franklin, September 25, 1838, second son of Richard and Hannah (May) Irwin. He was brought up at Franklin, attending the public schools and Franklin Academy. He also took a classical course under the tuition of the late Reverend S. J. M. Eaton, D. D. In 1852 he began to learn the printing trade in the office of the Whig Banner at Franklin, continuing with its proprietor, R. Lyle White, until the autumn of 1853. After this he was employed at different times upon the Advocate and Journal, Venango Spectator, and American Citizen. In 1863-64 he was engaged on the Harrisburg Patriot, first as compositor and afterward as city editor. After withdrawing from this connection he was occupied for several years in dealing in oil lands. In 1868, in company with other gentlemen, he established The Leader, a weekly literary journal, at Baltimore. Some of the ablest writers of the day were among its contributors, but the venture was not a financial success. Retiring in 1869 he went to Washington city, where he was editor of the Daily Express for a time and for five years reported the proceedings of the national house of representatives for the American Press Association, at the same time performing regular work upon the local press. While thus engaged he first began to write humorous articles, criticisms. etc., which elicited favorable comment from well-known contemporary authors. As a humorous writer his contributions are characterized by a rare degree of wit and originality, and a certain flavor peculiarly his own; and in editorial and general journalistic work he has also achieved success. In 1880 he purchased a half interest in the Evening News of Franklin, then in its third year. In 1881 he assumed editorial management of the Independent Press at Franklin. Retiring January 1, 1884, he resumed his connection with the News, and has been the principal contributor for its columns from that date. September 11, 1879, he married Mary Louise, daughter of H. P. Leech of Washington city, and they have five children: Richard; Hiram L.; Arthur M.; Francis Huntingdon, and Katharine Gertrude. The family is Presbyterian in faith, and in politics Mr. Irwin is a Republican. He has served as school director of Franklin and as president of the city school board, and is connected with the P. H. C. and E. A. U.
History of Venango County, Pennsylvania
: its past and present, including its aboriginal history, the French and
British occupation of the country, its early settlement and subsequent
growth, a description of its historic and interesting localities, its rich
oil deposits and their development, sketches of its cities, boroughs,
townships, and villages, neighborhood and family history, portraits and
biographies of pioneers and representative citizens, statistics, etc.,
etc.
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