William Irving was born in Gatehouse in either 1843 or 1845. His father reportedly died when he was young and, along with his mother, he went to Utah, then Idaho. I found two substantial references to him on the Internet. He is mentioned in the book 'Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah' and also in a posting on the genealogy.com website where there is an extract about him from an old book about Idaho pioneers I haven't been able to identify. The 1851 census for Girthon (3/28) has Elizabeth Heron, unmarried, aged 38, and her son William Irving, then aged 7 years, residing North Side of High Street, Gatehouse of Fleet. They were both born in Girthon Parish.
William Irving of Gatehouse-of-Fleet and Montpelier, Idaho.
Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah
IRVING, WILLIAM (son of John Irving and Elizabeth Heron of Gatehouse of Fleet, Scotland). Born June 22, 1845, at Gatehouse of Fleet, Scotland. Came to Utah Oct. 15, 1863, William Hyde company.
Married Rebecca Williams Nov. 17, 1878, in Montpelier, Idaho (daughter of Thomas Williams and Janet Rogers), who was born 1862 and came to Utah 1875. Their children: William Thomas b. July 29, 1880, m. Mary Lindsay April 3, 1901; Samuel James b. Dec. 3, 1881, m. Minnie Hunter Sept. 27, 1910. Family home Montpelier, Idaho.
Married Christina Larsen Jan. 25, 1887, Paris, Idaho (daughter of Christian Larsen and Anna Sophia Peterson, married in 1862 pioneers 1862, Capt. Lindquist company). She was born Feb. 22, 1865, at Hyrum, Utah. Their children: John Leo b. Dec. 15. 1887; Washington b. Jan. 18, 1890; Alonzo Chester b. Feb. 22, 1892; Beatrice Sophia b. May 8, 1894, m. Albert Bowcutt July 19, 1911; Vivian Zora b. March 11, 1899. Family home Montpelier, Idaho.
Farmer.
Genealogy Website
WILLIAM IRVING.
One of the old-timers of Idaho is William Irving, now residing on a farm at Montpelier. Mr. Irving has been a resident of Idaho for the greater part of half a century. He was one of the homesteaders at a time when little agricultural development had been done, and through his own industry and management has transformed a great many acres from the wilderness into fruitful and productive land. While he has encountered and overcome many of the hardships and obstacles of pioneer life, he has had his share of the satisfaction and reward of a long and honorable career, and stands high in the esteem and respect of his fellow citizens.
William Irving is a native of Scotland, where he was born June 22, 1845. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Herron) Irving, both of whom were native Scotch people. The father, who was a mill worker, died when his son William was young. Then in 1863, after William had received a substantial training in the local schools of his native country, he and his mother set out for the United States and first located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Three years later they moved to Montpelier, Idaho, where the mother lived until her death in 1875. The early practical experiences of William Irving in his native land were as a mill worker, and he also was employed on farms, so that he was well equipped for the work which awaited him in the world. On locating at Montpelier, in Idaho, he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, and from that time to the present has been actively engaged in the development of his country estate with good success. He is also the owner of considerable town property at Montpelier, and has improved this as he has his farm. During the early days his dwelling was in the midst of a new and sparsely settled district, and for many years the Indians were familiar visitors at his place. For the most part he lived in peace with these red-men, and they were seldom offensive in their relations with him or with other settlers in that section.
Mr. Irving was first married in 1879 to Miss Rebecca Williams, a native of Wales. Her death occurred January 5, 1882, and she left two sons, William T., who married Mary Lindsay April, 1901, and they have two children, Vida and Ferris ; and Samuel J., who married Minnie Hunter in September, 1910, and they have one child, Beatrice. In 1887 Mr. Irving married for his second wife Miss Christina Larsen, a native of Hiram, Utah. They have five children, named as follows : John Leo, who married Estella Miles in June, 1913; George Washington ; Alonzo Chester ; Beatrice Sophia, and Vivian Izora. Beatrice married Albert Bowcutt of Honeyville, Utah, July 19, 1911, and has one child, Irving, a grandson of Mr. William Irving. The family are all members of the Church of the Latter Day Saints.
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