Fasan at 20:18, 12 February 2011

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			[[File:Billy Irwin.4101.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|left\| Billy Irwin]]
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Fasan: Created page with '056371 Irwin was the Featherweight Champion of Colorado during the late 1890s. He was active in Leadville, Colorado affairs and performed at various social funct…'

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Irwin was the Featherweight Champion of Colorado during the
late 1890s. He was active in Leadville, Colorado affairs
and performed at various social functions as an Irish
vocalist and clog dancer. According to his obituary in
a Leadville newspaper, "There were few men who have won
such great popularity among all classes in this county than
has Billy Irwin. His friends are numbered by the hosts and
are composed of men, women, and children in all walks of
life. He was honest and upright and kind and generous to
a fault."

1877
- Irwin came to Americia with his parents, John Irwin and
Bridget Dooley Irwin.

1879
- Irwin came to Leadville, CO and lived there for most of
his life.

1885-1893
- Irwin worked in the mines near Leadville.

1895-1900
- Irwin left Leadville (returning sporadically) and worked
in the mines near Aspen, CO. He also worked in the copper
mines near Butte, MT. His main activity and livelihood
during this time was as a prizefighter.

1900
- Irwin returned to Leadville and worked in the mines and
as a bartender.

1903
- Irwin married Mary Loftus (of Leadville) in Buena Vista,
CO. They resided at 124 West Third Street, Leadville, in
the home of Kate Loftus, mother of the bride. Children born
to them were James (1904-1926), William (1906-1906), Francis
(1907-1977), Emmett (1909-1966), and Kathryn (1911-1976)

1903-1907
- Irwin worked as a fireman (plugman) for the Leadville Fire
Department.

1907-1909
- Irwin served as the Leadville Fire Chief.

1908
- Irwin was President of the Eagles Lodge and active in the
Democratic party politics.

1909-1910
- Irwin worked as the Deputy County Clerk and Recorder,
working with his cousin, John W. McMahon, who was Chief
County Clerk and Recorder.

1910
- Irwin developed pneumonia in late October 1910 and
battled it for nearly two weeks before he succumbed at
home. He was survived by his wife (Mary), three sons
(James, Francis, and Emmett), an unborn daughter (Kathryn),
his mother, two sisters, and several nieces, nephews, and
cousins, all in the Leadville area. Pallbearers were
M. J. Kikenny, Abe Flak, Maurice Miller, Charles Byrne,
Charles Slavin, and Alex McDonald. He was buried in the
Irwin plot at St. Joseph's Cemetery.

- Tracy Callis, Terry Irwin, and Emma Walling (Emmabasalt@aol.com)

William J. Irwin - Revision history

Fasan at 20:18, 12 February 2011

Fasan: Created page with '056371 Irwin was the Featherweight Champion of Colorado during the late 1890s. He was active in Leadville, Colorado affairs and performed at various social funct…'