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HON. W. H. IRISH. One of the public-spirited citizens of Washburn, Bayfield County, whose services to his community have been recognized by election to a judicial office, is Hon. W.H. Irish, county judge. He was born in Eastport, Maine, March 31, 1844, son of Simeon C. and Margaret Caroline (McDonald) Irish.
The paternal grandfather, also Simeon Irish, was a native of Wales, who settled in New England previous to the REvolution. During that struggle he was a Loyalist, and in consequence removed to Nova Scotia, where he received a grant of land from the government and settled down for the rest of his life, living to be over ninety years old. Simeon C. Irish was born there, but early in life went to Maine; he was commander and part owner of a vessel engaged in the coasting trade and also in the West India trade. His death occurred in his seventy-first year, in Eastport, Maine, where his wife also died at about the same time. She was a native of New Jersey of Scotch descent.
W.H. Irish passed his boyhood in Eastport, Maine, attending the public school, and then when about fourteen began in life for himself a laborer. During the next nine years he was thus engaged, also made occasional trips on the ocean, and was employed in clerical pursuits until 1867, when he went to Williamsport, Pa., and for two years was there engaged in the lumber business. His next move was to Chippewa Falls, Wis., where he worked for six years as a lumber sclaer, and then spent six years more at Cedar Falls, Dunn county.
In 1885 Mr. Irish located at Washburn; there his business interests still are in the lumber line, as he manufactured lumber for several years, and also bought considerable timber land in Bayfield county, some of which he still owns. Mr. Irish has of late years, however, been more prominent in town and county affairs than he has in business circles. He has served two years as register of deeds, has been several times, chairman of the town board, and has also acted as chairman of the county board for a time, while in January, 1902, he became county judge, having been chosen at the previous judicial election for this position. Upon the incorporation of the city of WAshburn in 1904, he was elected the first mayor.
At the age of thirty years Mr. Irish was married ot Janet C. Rose, also born in Eastport and of Scoth descent. Their married life was not of long duration, as Mrs. Irish died at Cedar Falls in 1883, when about thirty years of age. She left two childred: William Harvey of Washburn; and Laura, now Mrs. FRancis W. Jones, of Chicago. Mrs. Janet C. Irish was a member of the Congregational Church. Judge Irish has since married again, his second wife being Miss Lovisa E. Smith, of Downsville, Wisconsin.
Judge Irish is prominent in fraternal organizations; he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1867, and belongs to both the I.O.O.F., and the M.W.A. He was President of the public library board for three years, and manifests a lively interest in everything calculated to improve the condition of the town. Judge Irish and his wife are communicants of the Episcopal Church and are leaders in its activities. Socially they are much liked, and have many friends.
