|
Twenty forth President
1843 - 1850
The first page of this biography is missing
The record placed on the
minutes of the Mechanics’ National Bank by his co-directors on the 30th
June, 1888, admirably sums up his character and is as follows:
“At the time of his
decease he had been for fifty years a director in this bank, and during
the long period of his active and successful business career he was
always diligent and untiring in his devotion to the best interests of
this institution. His integrity was unimpeachable. Firm in his
convictions and conservative in his views, it was always known that they
were founded on what he believed to be right. A strict observer of the
letter and spirit of Christian principles, he countenanced no deviation
from them in others. In his deportment he was modest, manly and
unassuming, and in his intercourse with his fellow-men he was genial and
sincere. This imperfect record is engrossed on our minutes as a tribute
to Mr. Irvin’s memory and many virtues. A copy of it signed by our
President and Cashier is directed to be sent to his family as a token of
the high esteem and affectionate regard held for him by his associates
in the affairs of this bank.”
He was elected a member
of Saint Andrew’s Society in 1825 and thereafter server as a Manager,
1828-1833; as Second Vice-President, 1835-1836; 1839-1842; as First
Vice-President, 1836-1837, and as President, 1842-1851 and 1862-1864. He
also served on the Committee of Installation in 1838, and on the
Standing Committee, 18661870; 1872; 1874 and 1876.
He married on the 24th
May, 1832, at Salem, Washington County, N. Y., Mary Williams Proudfit,
daughter of the Reverend Alexander Proudfit, D.D., for fort}’ years
Pastor of the Associate Reformed Church in Salem, and Susan Williams,
daughter of General John Williams, Colonel in the Revolutionary War and
member of Congress.
Mr. Irvin had the
following children, all born in New York City: (1) William, born 28th
October, 1833; (2) Alexander Proudfit, born 6th March, 1835; (3) Susan
Williams, born 2d December, 1836;
(4) Mary, born 3d May,
1838; (5) Richard, born 5th August, 1840; (6) Susan, born 19th January,
1842; (7) John Proudfit, born nth May, 1844; (8) Samuel, born 14th June,
1847; (9) John James, born 2d March, 1850.
His portrait is
reproduced from an old photograph now in the possession of his grandson,
Mr. Richard Irvin. |
