My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE G. IRWIN, M. D. South Middleton township, Cumberland county, has been particularly fortunate in the high class of professional men who have made their homes there. Not the least along these is Dr. George G. Irwin, whose conscientious devotion to his calling, and whose natural ability and high attainments, have won him a conspicuous place in the front rank of successful physicians and surgeons.

Dr. Irwin comes of good Scotch-Irish stock, and his paternal great-grandfather passed his entire life in Ireland. Alexander Irwin, the Doctor’s grandfather, was an early settler of Chester county, Pa., where he was engaged in trade.

George Irwin, son of Alexander, was born in Chester county, and on reaching manhood followed in his father’s footsteps as a merchant, Aalso carrying on farming, the latter occupation occupying his entire time during the latter years of his life. His energy and foresight enabled him to find success in whatever he undertook. His death occurred Jan. 25, 1901, when he was seventy-five years of age. His wife, Harriet Gable, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., and is still living now (1904) aged seventy-one years. Five children were born to George and Harriet (Gable) Irwin, namely: J. Alexander, who is deceased; Clarence C., deceased; George G.; Margaret G.; and Mary M., deceased. In religious belief the family all united with the Presbyterian Church. George Irwin, the father, was a Republican in politics, and held a number of local offices, serving for some years as a justice of the peace. He was a man of sterling worth, and by his fidelity to duty and his high ideals of right living won the lasting esteem of his fellowmen.

George G. Irwin was born in Oxford, Chester county, Nov. 27, 1860, and his early years were passed in his native town. The common schools gave him the rudiments of his education, which was furthered in Oxford Seminary and the broad school of experience, and by wide reading. After his graduation from Oxford Seminary, he returned to work upon his father’s farm, but his ambitions led him to seek a professional career, and in 1889 he began to read medicine with Dr. J. W. Houston, an eminent practitioner of Lancaster county, with whom he continued until he matriculated in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Baltimore, Md. He was graduated from that school in 1892, with the degree of M. D., and at once returned to Oxford, there to begin an active practice along his old neighbors. A few months later substantial inducements led him to move to Mount Holly Springs, Cumberland county, where he has since made his home, meeting with unquestioned success in his work. He is a close student of the new discoveries in medical science, and possesses a remarkable faculty of discernment in selecting the wheat from the chaff. His ability in diagnosis has brought him favorably before his brother physicians who have frequently availed themselves of his services in consultation.

Professionally, Dr. Irwin belongs to the Cumberland County and Pennsylvania State Medical Societies, and is always interested in the deliberations of those bodies. In his political faith he is a Republican, and he has given good service as a member of the board of health.

In 1895 Dr. Irwin was united in marriage with Miss Emma Black, daughter of Anthony and Sarah Black, both of whom died in Mrs. Irwin’s childhood. The Doctor and his wife are delightfully hospitable, and have many warm friends throughout the county.