Biography:

Dr. Alexander Francis Irwin was born in Raleigh Twp (Chatham-Kent), Ontario in October of 1866.  Dr. Irwin was the 7th of 9 children born to Thomas Irwin and the former Jane Carter.  His parents were both born in Ireland.  Dr. Irwin’s father immigrated to North America when he was 25 years old.  It is unknown when his wife Jane immigrated, but Mr. Irwin settled into a life of farming in Raleigh Twp around 1847.  Dr. Irwin had the following siblings; Margaret Irwin, Alice I. Irwin, Mary Irwin, John Robert Irwin, William Henry Irwin, Thomas Irwin, Jane “Jenny” Irwin and Bessie Irwin.  Dr. Irwin’s mother died of cancer on the 19th of June, 1877, when he was 11 years old.  She was buried at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Chatham, as was his father in 1891.

Dr. Irwin attended a local “one-room schoolhouse” in Raleigh Twp prior to attending the University of Michigan Medical School.  He graduated in 1889.  Further he attended McGill University and graduated M.C., C.M. in 1890.

Fairly soon after his graduation, Dr. Irwin moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and set up a medical practice.  His sister Alice (Irwin) Fuller was living there at the time and a number of his other siblings also moved to Minnesota.

During 1920, Dr. Irwin was living with his sister Bessie (Irwin) Stover at 298 Queen Street in Chatham.  He was known to see patients during this time as his name appears on birth and death records.

At the time of his death he resided at 2429 Colfax Avenue South in Minneapolis.  His medical office was located at 203 Masonic Temple.

Dr. Irwin died at his residence on the 10th of May, 1935 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  He was buried at Lakewood Cemetery.  It is unknown if Dr. Irwin married or had any children.

*Dr. Irwin’s nephew, Dr. Irwin Stover also appears on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.