William Irwin (California politician)

William Irwin (1827 – March 15, 1886) was a California politician from the Democratic Party who served as the 13th governor of California between 1875 and 1880. He previously served as acting lieutenant governor for nine months in 1875.

William Irwin
13th Governor of California
In office December 9, 1875 – January 8, 1880
Lieutenant	James A. Johnson
Preceded by	Romualdo Pacheco
Succeeded by	George C. Perkins
13th Lieutenant Governor of California Acting
In office February 27, 1875 – December 9, 1875
Governor	Romualdo Pacheco
Preceded by	Romualdo Pacheco as Lieutenant Governor
Succeeded by	James A. Johnson as Lieutenant Governor
Member of the California Senate
In office 1875
Member of the California State Assembly
In office 1862–1863
Personal details
Born	1827 (1827) Oxford, Ohio, US
Died	March 15, 1886 (aged 58–59) San Francisco, California, US
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Amelia Elizabeth Cassidy
Children	1
Profession	Educator, laborer

Born in Butler County, Ohio, Irwin graduated in 1848 from Marietta College in Marietta, where he later became an instructor. After moving to California, Irwin worked in various private industries and was eventually elected to the California State Assembly as one of two members representing Siskiyou County. He became the editor of a newspaper and then was elected to the California State Senate. He served as president pro tempore of the Senate and as such, became acting lieutenant governor in 1875 when Lieutenant Governor Romualdo Pacheco became governor. Irwin was elected governor in his own right that same year. He died in 1886 in San Francisco, California and was interred in the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery in Sacramento, California.[1]

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  Irwin Gravesite
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  William Irwin