Luther M. Irwin
There are individuals in every community who, by virtue of pronounced ability and force of character, rise above the heads of the masses and command the unbounded esteem of their fellow men. Characterized by perseverance and a directing spirit, two virtues which never fail, such men always make their presence felt and the vigor of their strong personality serves as a stimulus and incentive to the young and rising generation. Having never been seized with the roaming desires that have led many of Fayette county's men to other fields of endeaxor and other states, where they have sought their fortunes, Luther M. Irwin has devoted his life to industries at home and has succeeded remarkably well.
Luther M. Irwin, the son of Cornelius and Lavina (Tway) Irwin, was born in Paint township, in Fayette county, October 11, 1851. His father was born in Frederick county, Maryland. and came with his parents to this county when he was thirteen years of age. The family first located in Paint township and there Cornelius grew to manhood. Cornelius was the son of John and Leah R. (Ervin) Irwin, and, on reaching manhood was married to Lavina Tway. the daughter of Nathaniel and Sophia (Salmon) Tway. He located on a farm near Yatesville, in this county, after his marriage, where he reared a family of eleven children, an infant son (deceased), William A., Leah R. (deceased), Mrs. Elizabeth S. Smith (deceased), Nathaniel (deceased), Luther M., Mrs. Letha C. Durflinger. John (deceased), Mrs. Salina M. Walker (deceased), Mrs. Sarah J. Blue and Mrs. Mary A. Gibson.
The education of Mr. Irwin was received in the common schools and at the age of nineteen he began to work out by the month. A year later he engaged in the stock business and while following this line of business lived near London, Ohio, for two years. He moved to a farm near Yatesville after his marriage in 1874. Here he engaged in farming and stock raising until 1895, when he sold out and moved to his present location, one mile east of Jeffersonville on the State road. This farm comprises one hundred and seventy-five acres of fine farming land and is in a high state of cultivation, which entitles Mr. Irwin to a place among the progressive farmers of the county.
Mr. Irwin was married March 29, 1874. to Mary Jane Jones, the daughter of William and Olevia (Hidy) Jones, and to this union there have been born five children. Mrs. Lela Mae Wissler, William H. (deceased), Mrs. Ethel Culbertson, Mrs. Mary Hill, and one who died in infancy.
Politically. Mr. Irwin is a Republican and has always been active in local political matters. He is now serving as school director and township assessor and is filling these positions to the satisfaction of all his fellow citizens irrespective of their political affiliations. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and has attained to the degree of Knight Templar. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)