Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 1087 - 1088

GEORGE A. IRVINE. Prominent among the representative citizens and respected and influential men of Rockford Township is found the subject of this biographical notice, who resides on section 12, where he owns 160 acres of land. This is well improved and highly cultivated, and shows conclusively that the owner has not mistaken his calling in adopting agriculture.

             Mr. Irvine was born in Saline County, Mo., July 19, 1839, and is the son of Hugh W. and Mary C. (Wise) Irvine, both of whom were natives of Rockingham County, Va. His father was born Aug. 30, 1814, and had moved to Missouri in 1836, and engaged in farming. He was a Whig in his political affiliations, but never took an active part in politics or sought public office. He died in Buchanan County, Mo., Aug. 16, 1858. The mother of our subject was born Aug. 7, 1819; she is still living, making her home on a farm in Clinton County, Mo.

             The subject of this sketch drew his education, in his boyhood days, from the district schools of his native county, and was early trained to farm work. He remained at home assisting his father in the labors of the farm until that gentleman's death, and then assumed the management of the family homestead. Nov. 10, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary R. Groff, a native of Lancaster County, Pa., born Jan. 10, 1838, and the daughter of Samuel B. and Charlotte C. (Eckhart) Groff, natives of Pennsylvania. The lady was educated in the common schools of her native State, and in the High School at St. Joseph, Mo., after moving to that State. Her father died Dec. 19, 1871, in Rochester, Mo. The mother now resides in Derby, Kan.

             The subject of this sketch remained at home with his mother in Buchanan County, Mo., for about two years succeeding his marriage, and took charge of the home farm. He then removed to a house which he had built on a part of the same undivided estate, where he made his home for about two years. In 1864 he accepted the position of wagon-master with an overland train, which made the journey from St. Joseph, Mo., to Virginia City, Mont. The outfit belonged to Kercheval, Kinney & Co., and he had charge of it from April until the following September. During the next winter he took charge of the stock, and gained great credit for his watchfulness and diligence. In the summer of 1865 he was employed in freighting for the firm of Bush & Eckhart, in the mountains, and in the fall of the same year started from Virginia City for St. Joe. He was on the road about four months during the winter, reaching home December 8. The following year he was engaged in agricultural pursuits upon a farm which he had rented in Andrew County, Mo., and then moved back to Buchanan County, where he passed the two succeeding years. His father's estate was then divided, and after two more years spent in Andrew County, our subject made a removal to Clinton County, in the same State, where he remained until February, 1880. In the spring of the latter year he came to Kansas, and settling in Sedgwick County, purchased a quarter of a section of land in Rockford Township, where he now resides. He has improved this place in a wonderful manner, and erected a good, handsome and substantial house and barn, and set out a fine orchard of apple and peach trees. He is paying considerable attention to stock-raising, particularly in the way of Clydesdale horses, graded cattle and Poland-China hogs. His success in this line has been great, as he brings to the business a large amount of experience as well as industry and energy.

             Both Mr. and Mrs. Irvine are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in which society our subject has been Class-Leader for several years. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party, in whose principles he sees the best guarantees for the preservation of our popular form of government, and he at the present time holds the office of Township Trustee, this being his second year in that position. Previous to this he served as Clerk of the Township Board for three years. Mr. and Mrs. Irvine are the parents of eight children, of whom the following is the record: Laura B., who was born Sept. 28, 1860, and married J. F. Law, May 7, 1882, lives in Rockford Township, on section 4; Eva B., born Nov. 25, 1862; George C., June 3, 1864; Lottie E. and Samuel G. (twins), Oct. 6, 1866; Frank S., Aug. 19, 1868; Mary C., May 24, 1870, and Charles H., May 16, 1875

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