Irbyi
Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
I. IRBY. There are few
of the pioneer settlers of Lincoln county who are not well acquainted with
the familiar name at the head of this article. Irby station is named
from the family and the subject of this sketch has been closely identified
with the interests of Lincoln county from the earliest days. He invaded
the wilds here when white men could be counted on one's fingers that dwelt
in the entire Big Bend country, and when Spokane was yet to be, and established
himself with his father in the stock business in the territory now included
in the southwestern part of the county. Thus having been closely
identified with the development and upbuilding of the country, it would
evidently be a breach of faith and judgment not to incorporate an epitome
of his career in this volume.
I. Irby was born in Vancouver, Washington,
on June 21, 1857, being the son of Hon. Charles S. and Margaret (Burchfield)
Irby. The father was a native of Tennessee and came to Vancouver
in 1852, bringing his family, which was one of the very first to settle
there. He operated as a stock raiser and buyer and gained excellent
success until 1862, when the hard winter of that year swept away his holdings
largely. He gathered together what was left and bravely made another
start in life and was later again the favored recipient from Dame Fortune.
Twice the people where he resided chose him to represent them in the territorial
lgislature and he was a leading figure in the house. To this gentleman
and his brave and faithful wife, there were born seven children, named
as follows: Amanda, wife of T. E. Jennings, of Spangle; Catherine, wife
of J. M. Goodwin, of Yakima, Washington; John, who died in 1866; Ira I.,
who is the immediate subject of this article; J. D., of Spokane; Laura,
wife of Henry Cruse; and Lucy, who died in infancy.
The gentleman of whom we now have the pleasure
of speaking had the good fortune to be a son of the Evergreen State, which
legacy, in those days meant something. He was reared in the surroundings
of a frontier home and his educational training was received from the schools
that existed then, and from studious personal research with a well informed
father. When he was eighteen, he came with his parents to the Big
Bend country and settlement was made not far from where Irby station is
now located. He engaged in stock raising with his father, and from
that time until two years since, he was one of the prominent men in the
whole Big Bend country. Mr. Irby gained this distinction, not by
putting himself forward, but by manifestation of genuine business ability,
by carefully maintaining his upright principles and by conserving the best
interests of the country with an energy and sagacity that could but win
approval and secure the success that he deserved. Two years since
Mr. Irby desired to retire more from active life in the stock business
and sold a portion of his interests and removed to Spokane. He purchased
the Ross Park grocery business at the corner of Montgomery and Hamilton,
which is now handled under the incorporate name of Irby & McCollough
with excellent patronage. Mr. Irby desired especially to open a business
for his son, who is also in the store.
The marriage of Mr. Irby occurred when Miss
Letitia, daughter of William Bingham, became his bride. Mr. Bingham
was a native of New York state and one of the first pioneers of Washington,
coming as early as 1842 and being one of the first settlers in the Walla
Walla country. To Mr. and Mrs. Irby, three children have been born,
William L., aged nineteen; Francis, and Edna. Mr. Irby is affiliated
with Spokane Lodge, No. 228, B. P. 0. E.
By way of reminiscence, it is interesting
to note that when Mr. Irby came to the Big Bend, the nearest postoffice
was at Walla Walla. When Chief Joseph's war hordes swept the country,
Mr. Irby and all his people were forced to leave their residence and seek
shelter in fortifications. This was in 1877. Our subject has
seen all phases of pioneer life and it has developed a man of substantial
qualities, worth and energy. He could recite many interesting accounts
of early days and the times when Spokane was yet unknown and the country
a wild roaming place for savages. He is a worthy son of the foremost
state of the northwest and such as he are they who have made Washington
deserving of recognition by a nation, through their arduous labors and
continued faithfulness. Generations yet to come will read of these
pioneers, and their deeds will be recalled with pleasant memories, for
they builded broad and deep the foundations of this great state and fostered
the industries which today are making her really famous. All credit
and honor be given to these brave men and women, who fought back the savages,
and reared their humble homes in the wilds, there to remain and wrest from
stubborn Nature the key to her choicest treasuries, which have been so
lavishly opened to the later homeseekers. To these men of brawn and
brain be the distinction and in the gates let their works praise them.
BACK