Thomas IRWIN, Congress, PA (1785-1870)

IRWIN, Thomas, a Representative from Pennsylvania; born in Philadelphia, Pa., February 22, 1785; attended the common schools and Franklin College, Lancaster, Pa.; became editor of the Philadelphia Repository in 1804; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1808 and commenced practice in Uniontown, Pa.; appointed Indian agent at Natchitoches, La., where he also engaged in the practice of law for two years; returned to Uniontown, Pa., in 1811 and resumed the practice of law; member of the State house of representatives 1824-1828; elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-first Congress (March 4, 1829-March 3, 1831); was not a candidate for renomination in 1830; appointed a United States judge for the western district of Pennsylvania April 14, 1831, and served until February 8, 1859, when a successor was appointed; lived in retirement until his death in Pittsburgh, Pa., May 14, 1870; interment in Allegheny Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present