History of Hecla, (Schuylkill County) Pennsylvania United States of America

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James Irvin, representative, was born at Linden Hall, Centre county, Pa., Feb. 18, 1800; son of Jehu and Ann (Watson) Irvin. He received a fair elementary education, and in 1814 engaged as a clerk in his father's store and mill. He was married in 1822 to Julianna, daughter of Senator Andrew and Martha (Potter) Gregg, and granddaughter of Andrew and Jean (Scott) Gregg, and of Gen. James Potter, who served in the Revolution. Soon after his marriage he became a merchant and grain dealer at Oak Hall, and in 1832 he became interested with his father and brother, Dr. William Irvin, in establishing and operating charcoal blast-furnaces, rolling-mills, forges, and grist-mills at Milesburg and Belle-fonte, Centre county, which proved very profitable. He represented his district in the 27th and 28th congresses, 1841-45, and was the unsuccessful Whig candidate for governor of Pennsylvania in 1847. He gave generous sums of money and 200 acres of land to the Pennsylvania Agricultural college, of which he was a founder. He lost his fortune in the crisis of 1857, and accepted the appointment of naval storekeeper in Philadelphia. He died at Hecla, Pa., Nov. 28, 1862.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Hecla, (Schuylkill County) Pennsylvania

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