John N. Irwin
| John N. Irwin | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 9th Governor of Idaho Territory | |
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In office March 5, 1883 – December 20, 1883 |
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| Nominated by | Chester A. Arthur |
| Preceded by | John Baldwin Neil |
| Succeeded by | William M. Bunn |
| 9th Governor of Arizona Territory | |
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In office October 4, 1890 – April 18, 1892 |
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| Nominated by | Benjamin Harrison |
| Preceded by | Lewis Wolfley |
| Succeeded by | Nathan Oakes Murphy |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
December 25, 1844 Butler County, Ohio |
| Died | December 22, 1905 (aged 60) Hot Springs, Arkansas |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Love Rankin |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
John Nichol Irwin (December 25, 1844 – December 22, 1905) was an American businessman, politician and diplomat. Among the positions he held were Mayor of Keokuk, Iowa, Governor of Idaho Territory, Governor of Arizona Territory, and U.S. Minister to Portugal.
Irwin was born December 25, 1844, in Butler County, Ohio, to Stephen and Elizabeth Martha (Nichol) Irwin. His family moved to Keokuk, Iowa, in 1856 and he was educated in public schools in both Ohio and Iowa before attending Miami University in his birth state. His education was interrupted by the American Civil War, when Irwin served with the 45th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and reached the rank of sergeant. Following the war he returned to his studies and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1867. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.
After graduation, Irwin returned to Keokuk and studied law at the firm of Miller and Rankin. He additionally studied for a time at the University of Michigan Law School. On June 6, 1871, he married his mentor's daughter, Mary Love Rankin. The couple had three children, Alice, Elizabeth, and John R.
Despite his legal training, Irwin spent most of his efforts working at the family dry goods business. Performing occasional legal work, he also became a founder and director of the Keokuk Building and Loan Company. He served five terms as mayor of Keokuk and two terms in the Iowa House of Representatives.
Following the removal of John Baldwin Neil, Irwin was nominated as Governor of Idaho Territory by President Chester A. Arthur and commissioned on March 5, 1883. Arriving in the territory in April, he took a brief tour with Theodore F. Singiser before returning to Keokuk to handle personal business and prepare his family to move to the territory. At the end of a 60-day leave, he requested and received a 60-day extension. In August, news reached Idaho that Irwin had developed problems with his eyes. By October, the new governor was expressing his desire to soon return to his duties while at the same time expecting to undergo surgery to correct the problem with his eyes. Citing "personal reasons", Irwin submitted his resignation on December 20, 1883. During his tenure of over nine months as governor, he had spent less than one month in the territory.
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