Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1847-09-09

thirteen he was taken from school to assist his
father, who was largely engaged in various
T branches Of business. In this capacity his
close application, strict integrity, and business
talents, added 10 the natural generosity of his
disposition, soon gained for him general esteem
and insured him The unlimited confidence OF
his father. At very early age he was in.
trusted with the exclusive control and manage.
ment of such branches of business as are usual
ly committed 10 persons Of mature experience
aud such as few young men of his years are
capable oi transacling in a satisfactory manner
But 1, was not on account OF his business quail
Ificaions alone iha, he received popular favor
These, II is true, gave him the confidence Of
the people with whom he deall but it was his
candor aud generosity-his disposition to favor
and oblige, and his willingness TO aid and as.
sist Others whenever an opportunity offered
that won the good will all around him. The
poor and distressed always knew where TO look
for assistance, and many grateful heart re-
joices in the opportunity TO contribute to the
advancement of the man from whom so many
acts Of kindness have been received.
He remained with his father until | S22 " hen,
with lie old gentleman's assistance he purchas
ed stock of goods, and opened store near
his native place, where he also carried on the
business of farming and milling in connection
with merchandising. In The course of few
years he remiled 10 his father all the money
that had been advanced 70 him. and subsequent
ly depended entirely upon his own capital. So
successful was he, and so extensive the patron
age he received, that in 1882 he was enabled
10 purchase an interest in Centre Furnace and
Milesburg Iron Works, from Ms. Miles, who
was one of the proprietors, and in 1889, in con-
neciion with Mr.. Gregg, he bought the remain,
ing interest of Gen. Houston In this new
terprise Gen. Irwin has been as successful as
his neighbors, although it was confidently pre-
dicted by some who had all their lives been
ironmasters, that he must inevitably fail for
want of experience-,hal no one who had not
served a regular apprenticeship a, ironworks
need ever pretend TO conduct them TO advantage.
The prominen, objection urged agains, him
is, that being successful ironMaser, he is un-
fiji to hold office. Now, his success, instead of
being an objection. is really strong argument
in his favor, for whilst he has succeeded in all
various en'erprises-some of which required
capacities of no ordinary character-those Of
his own age who have had The same opporlu-
mites, and who claim more than equal mental
endowments, are farNin the rear. II Gen. Irwin
had acquired his properly by undue means, or
in any other way than by his own honest, pa
Ieni lnduslry--if he applied ii TO selfish or I'M
proper purposes-.or if he prided himself upon
being wealthy man--ihe objection might have
sUme force; but the fact is just the reverse. No
man in the country applies greater proportion
OF his property 10 benevolent and charitable
purposes there is no one more public spirited,
or who keeps his capital more actively employed
and, moreover, no one who is more truly re-
publican in his sentiments and practice. may
safely assert, wiihou, the fear of contradiction,
that he has never been applied TO in vain, 10
contribute to any public or charitable object
He has always responded literally and cheer
fully 10 such calls. But II has been said that
he gives from selfish motives; merely 10 carry
favor as politician. This, however is far from
The truth |, is we'll known that beneYoence
is prominen, trait in his character, and that it
was his constant practice 10 give literally long
before he was thought of as candidate for Of
fee. AS further proof of the falsity of this
I'chafge the writer knows of instances of his be-
neyolence of which the public are ignorant and
will ever remain SO if his wishes are not disre-
garded ] would not have made this alusion
were j, nor that the opposite party, through
their organs, are cons anlly attribmlng his be-
nevolence to sinister motives.
Blu, il has been said that Gen. Irwin is an ar
istocrar. This is the mos. silly and ridiculous
charge to make against one who is farihest re-
moved from anything approaching arisiocracy,
know ,ha, numerous letters have been written
10 remote parts of The State. giving the most
lively and graphic descriptions of palaces,
palisades, splendid equiPage,' costly furni,
,ure,' and numerous ct ceteras | understand
from The contents of these letters that 1t is de-
sired the public shall infer he is purse-proGd
arislocrai II such an impression is sought 10
be made thereby, il may be well enough to
give true statement of his style of liying-as
il has been and as il now is.
For several years after he became house
holder, he was The tenant of one-story log
hoase~ihat had been built for the accommoda-
lion Of miller Vi ho attended his fathers mill
He then buill plain stone house of ordinary
size, aud in the same style that farm houses in
the country are usually bull, in which he lived
until be purchased an interest III Miesburg
Ironworks, where he after " ards resided for sew
efal wears, pat OF he time in a TWO story frame
house. with but one room and kitchen on the
first floor, and corresponding number Of rooms