About the year 1820, William Irvin, Jr., as he was then known, came to the mouth of Anderson's Creek, at a point now occupied by the borough of Curwensville. Here his father had purchased a tract of about 330 acres of land, built a dam across the West Branch and erected a mill. In the year 1828, William Jr., and John Irvin purchased this mill property from their father and managed it for two years, when in 1830, John bought William's interest. The latter then engaged in the mercantile business, conducting a large general store, and also became an extensive lumberman. His investments were remunerative, and he acquired large means. There being no banking-houses in the vicinity during a greater part of his business life, Mr. Irvin invested his surplus funds in real estate, which brought him handsome returns in later years, and left an exceedingly valuable estate to be divided among his heirs at his decease.

William Irvin is remembered as a man of excellent business qualifications, possessing good judgment, honest in every transaction, correct in his habits, unassuming in manner, and inclined to be conservative, yet generous and enterprising in all that pertained to the welfare of his town, county and its people.

In the various enterprises that contributed to the development and improvement of the county, he was a leader, and gave largely both of his time and means. For the construction of the Tyrone and Clearfield railroad, he contributed liberally and was made one of the directors although he did not live to see the road completed; but his estate contributed twenty thousand dollars after his death in accordance with his wish. Out of his own funds, he caused to be built a brick school house at Curwensville and for a time paid the expenses of its maintenance.

He was a man of broad views on all subjects; possessed a mind capable of grasping large enterprises and conducting them to successful issues; far seeing judgment and a character founded upon principles of justice and integrity. It cannot be said that any good work ever appealed to him in vain; at the same time his best deeds were not done in a manner to draw attention to himself, his chief aim being to be considered one of the staunch business men of the town, an to so order his daily life as to secure the respect and esteem of his townsmen.

All religious organizations received his sympathy and material aid. He was an earnest worker in the political field, on the Republican side, thought never for his own advancement; he never sought an office, and accepted but one, that of United States Marshal of the Western District, but his time and means were always ready for the good of the party, and when the government was threatened with internecine foes, none was more active and liberal in its support than he.

In 1860 Mr. Irvin was succeeded in the mercantile business by his son, Edwin A. Irvin, but in the year following, the latter entered the army and during his absence the father managed the store. Aside from this, Mr. Irvin may be said to have retired from active business in the year 1860 and thereafter and until the time of his death, December 19, 1869, his time was given to the care and management of his estate.

William Irvin, Jr., of whom the above is written was born in Penn's Valley, on the 1st day of December, in the year 1801.

In the year 1830, March 2 William Irvin, Jr. married Jane Patton. The fruit of this marriage was fifteen children, four of whom died in infancy.

"William Irvin," Clearfield County Genealogy Project, Cites, History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich, Syracuse, NY: D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1887, p. 685, Retrieved March 2010.

OBIT researched by family member Melanie:
From the Raftsman's Journal, Clearfield, Pennsylvania, Wednesday, 22 Dec 1869.
Death of William Irvin, Esq.

On Sunday evening last, about nine o'clock, William Irvin, of Curwensville, was suddenly seized with severe illness, which resulted I his death or: Monday morning. He had been ailing for some time, but without any alarming symptoms; and his unexpected demise was a terrible shock, both to his family and the community in which he had so long dwelt

Mr. Irvin was born in Penn's Valley, Center county, on the first day of December 1801, and hence was 68 years and eighteen days old at the time of his death. About the year 1820, he came to Clearfield county, and located at the mouth of Anderson's creek, where the borough of Curwensville now stands. Then there were but two houses, but he lived to see it grow up around him into a handsome and thriving town. He engaged in the mercantile business, and for many years owned the only store in that part of the county south of Clearfield. He was an active, prompt, and energetic business man, and was successful in acquiring a competency, with which he unostentatiously relieved the necessities of very many who were less favored in the accumulation this world's goods – and contributed especially to aid his country during the rebellion. He was indeed a most devoted and ardent friend of the Government. He seem to throw his whole soul into the contest; and he used every effort in his power to promote the success of the loyal arms.

In all the enterprises that contributed t the development of the resources of our county, Mr. Irvin was a liberal contributor. In laying out turnpikes, building bridges, erecting churches, making rail roads, etc. he was ever found among the foremost to give of this means. He was a man of many peculiarities; somewhat difficult to become acquainted with, -- yet possess, under all, of a large warm heart, susceptible of the truest benevolence and the most devoted friendship. His acquirements were many and varied. He had read much and thought more, and underlying the whole was that sterling common sense, which is the most indispensable quality of a successful business man and good citizen.

He left a large family to mourn his loss which will be deeply felt by our whole community. One by one, the old pioneers of our country are falling around us. Soon all will have gone to their "long last home." Let us so live, that when we follow them there, each of may, like them, leave to our children that most priceless of all legacies, the character of AN HONEST MAN.