JAMES M. IRWIN was born in Montgomery county, Ill., on the 6th of April, 1856, and is a son of Enoch and Catherine (Irwin) Irwin, natives of North Carolina. They moved from Montgomery county to Madison county, and there his father enlisted in Co. D, 59th Ill. Inf., and was killed in the last battle at Nashville, Tenn. In 1864 Mrs. Irwin removed with her family to Greene county, locating near Kane, where they have since resided. Our subject, James M., was the first of a family of three children. He remained at home on the farm until he was 21 years of age. He then attended school at Kane two year, and in the winter of 1879, he was employed as clerk by the firm of Greene & Smith, in the mercantile business. He was thus employed until 1884, when he bought in, as a member of the firm, now known as Smith, Irwin & Culver. Taking into consideration the chances which Mr. Irwin has had, he has made his mark very young in life, and has so conducted himself that he is held in the highest estimation by the community and society in which he moves. He is a member of Kane lodge A.F. & A.M., and the I.O.O.F. He attends the M.E. church, of which he is a member.