William Irwin (July 12,[citation needed] 1827 – March 15, 1886) was an American politician from the Democratic Party who served as the 13th governor of California between 1875 and 1880. He previously served as acting lieutenant governor for nine months in 1875.
William Irwin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 13th Governor of California | |
| In office December 9, 1875 – January 8, 1880 | |
| Lieutenant | James A. Johnson |
| Preceded by | Romualdo Pacheco |
| Succeeded by | George C. Perkins |
| Acting Lieutenant Governor of California | |
| In office February 27, 1875 – December 9, 1875 | |
| Governor | Romualdo Pacheco |
| Preceded by | Romualdo Pacheco |
| Succeeded by | James A. Johnson |
| 19th President pro tempore of the California State Senate | |
| In office March 13, 1874 – February 27, 1875 | |
| Preceded by | James T. Farley |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin F. Tuttle |
| Member of the California Senate from the 28th district | |
| In office December 6, 1869 – December 6, 1875 | |
| Preceded by | E. Wadsworth |
| Succeeded by | Wiley J. Tinnin |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 28th district | |
| In office January 6, 1862 – December 7, 1863 | |
| Preceded by | Seat established |
| Succeeded by | R. C. Scott |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 12, 1827[citation needed] Oxford, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | (aged 58) San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations | National Union (1861–1865) |
| Spouse | Amelia Elizabeth Cassidy |
| Children | 1 |
| Profession | Educator, laborer |
| Signature |  |
Born in Butler County, Ohio, Irwin graduated in 1848 from Marietta College in Marietta, where he later became an instructor. After moving to California, Irwin worked in various private industries and in 1865 was a candidate for Siskiyou County Tax Collector but lost.[1] He was eventually elected to the California State Assembly, representing the 28th district.[1] He became the editor of a newspaper and then was elected to the California State Senate. He served as President pro tempore of the Senate and as such, became acting lieutenant governor in 1875 when Lieutenant Governor Romualdo Pacheco became governor. Irwin was elected governor in his own right that same year. He died in 1886 in San Francisco, California and was interred in the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery in Sacramento, California.[2]
Irwin was the one who appointed young journalist Henry George to the office of State Inspector of Gas Meters in 1876, which lifted George and his family out of destitution and allowed him to write Progress and Poverty.[3]
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Irwin Gravesite -
Engraving of Irwin in Harper's Weekly, 1875 -
Irwin's official gubernatorial portrait -
Irwin later in life
References
edit- ^ a b Vassar, Alex; Meyers, Shane. "William Irwin". JoinCalifornia. JoinCalifornia. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ "California Governor William Irwin". National Governors Association. 2004. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
- ^ George, Henry Jr. (1900). The Life of Henry George. New York: Robert Schalkenbach Foundation. pp. 247–249. Retrieved October 8, 2024.