The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-04-28
Death of Mr.. Patrick Irwin.

Last Thursday this community was startled
by the announcement of the sudden death Of
Mr.. Patrick Irwin, one of the most widely
known and wealthiest of our Irish fellow-citi-
sens. He had been in the enjoyment of his
avocations till shortly after midday, when he
had an attack of spoplexy of which he died at
hslf-past two O'Clock.
Mr.. Irwin was native of Charleville,
County Cork, Ireland, where he was born in
1910. When about nineteen years Of age he
came to the United States and three years
later took up his residence in this oty.
Being industrious, energetic and provident,
he soon successfully solved that problem
which all men who have amassed fortunes
have held to be the greatest in the path Of
those who desire to get rich-the accumulation
Of the first thousand dollars. This, the
shrewduess, prudence and busiuess foresight
which were leading traits in his character soon
turned into o handsome fortune, and he grad
ually entered upon larger and more remuner-
ative fields of operation. His ventures, while
highly profitable to himself, were generally Of
great usefulness and convenience to the pub
lie, as, for instance, the omnibus lines which
he owned and operated, the street railroads
IN which he had large interests, aud the
Dryades Market which he built. This last
enterprise gave great impetus to the growth
of all that rear portion of the city above the
new Canal, while it is said to have netted for
him nearly 100000, he having reserved the
right to collect TIE revenues for specified
number of years. He also invested heavily in
real estate, which he improved, thus doing
his full share as citizen to build up and
besutify the oity.
Mr. Irwin served d term as Alderman in 1853,
and in 1854 was elected to the Legislature. He
took an active part in the establishment of the
Hibernia Bank and Hibernia Insurance Com
pany after the war, and served continuously
in the Directory of both institutions till his
death. He was the first President of the Bank,
q position he held for many years, and also
Vice President Of the Insurance Company.
The high esteem in which he was held by the
Bank Directory is shown by the resolutions
adopted at their meeting Friday, and published
IN our obituary column. The Directory Of the
Insurance Company have not had an opportu-
! nifty of meeting since Mr.. Irwins death, but
we have not the least doubt that they will
place on the records of that inatitutioh an
equally appreoiative tribute.
Mr.. Irwin contributed literally to the ereo-
tion of st. Patrick's Hall at the time that Mr.
John Henderson undertook the herculean task
| of building that immense edifoe.
Mr.. 1rwin's funeral took place at O'Clock
Friday evening, Messrs. John Henderson.
John McGinty, Thomas Gilmore, VIM. j. Cas-
tell, George R. Preston, Emile Gauche, J. n.
Hanna and Thomas Smith acting as pail
bearers. The remains were taken to the Re-
demptorist Church of st. AlphoRsus, where the
most solemn funeral ceremonies were held,
Rev. Fathers McGeough and Lamy, C.sS.R.,
ofaoiating In the sanctuary Very Rev. C..
MoynihaD, Of St. Peters, and Very Rev. P. F.
Allen and Fathers Dumas and Clark, of st. Pat
rick's, were present. From the Church the re-
mains, followed by an immense funeral pro-
cession consisting of over one hundred car
riageS, delegation of Fire Company No. 20
and large number of citiSens on foot, were
solemnly borne to their last resting place in
st. Joseph's Cemetery.
Reception into thu Churnh