Unknown Date & Newspaper
MORTUARY
IRWIN - At his home in Pleasant Plains, at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, of pneumonia, Alexander B. Irwin, aged 80 years, 7 months.
Mr. Irwin attended the old settlers picnic at Auburn Aug. 16. and in his speech told of how well and strong he was, and even demonstrated the fact by singing a song, and afterwards by dancing a jig. In his death the county loses one of her oldest and most honored "snowbirds." The deceased was born in Cabarras county, N.C., Feb. 7, 1814, and was the son of Samuel L. and Rachel Irwin. The former was of Irish and the latter was of German parentage. In the year 1819 his parents moved to Tennessee, and the year following to the present home at Pleasant Plains, where they broke ten acres of ground, and the first summer made their abode in the wagon bed. In the fall they built a log hut, 16x18 feet. On Oct. 18, 1838, Mr. Irwin was married to Miss Cynthetia, daughter of John B. Broadwell, and to them five children were born. The deceased has successfully held several public offices of trust. The deceased was a successful land owner and a well-known cattle dealer. On Feb. 7, 1874, he celebrated his sixtieth birthday anniversary, and with a few exceptions all the branches of his family were present, guests from four states being in attendance, in all 264 persons. On that day the deceased was presented with a handsome gold-headed cane and a silver watch.
The funeral occurred yesterday at 2 o'clock from the house. It was the largest funeral ever held in Pleasant Plains, there being over 500 people in the house, saying nothing of the large number of the outside. Several people drove over from this city. The Rev. Roache, pastor of the Baptist church of that place, led the services and the Rev. M.B. McFadden, pastor of the M.E. church, preached an eloquent sermon. A choir of six ladies and six men rendered the beautiful hymn "lead, Kindly Light," and "Jesus, Lover of My Soul." The internment was in the family burying ground, two and one-half miles from Pleasant Plains. Six of the deceased's grandsons acted as pall bearers and laid the remains gently in their resting place.
Submitted by: Jeanie Lowe.