Biography.guide
Home › People › Alfred Irving
Portrait of Alfred Irving

Alfred Irving

d. 1960

African-American freed in 1942

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About Alfred Irving

Alfred Irving (February 28, 1895 – March 26, 1960) was an American man freed from slavery in the United States.

Early life Alfred Irving was born in Columbus, Texas on February 28, 1895, to Solomon Irving and Susie Ann Countee, the 8th of 10 children. Irving likely never learned to read or write. Between 1917 and 1923 he moved to Karnes City, Texas.

Background

Alex Skrobarcek and his daughter, Susie, were indicted in Laredo, Texas, on October 2, 1942, for holding Irving in slavery for five years. The pair were arrested at their secluded farm by representatives of the sheriff's office, the traffic police, and the FBI. The filed police report stated that the Skrobarceks kept Irving shackled in inhumane conditions and that they repeatedly physically abused him to the point of permanent physical disfigurement.

Verdict The Skrobarcek family pleaded not guilty.

Post-emancipation Alfred Irving moved back to Karnes City after he was freed; by 1950 he was living with his brother Elmo Irving. On March 26, 1960 Irving died of colon cancer. Three days later he was buried in Karnes City Cemetery.

Personal Alfred Irving married Annie Bell Johnson, they had three children, Charlie (1923), Pearlie (1925), and Sam (1927). By the time Irving was enslaved he was widowed.

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Frequently asked questions

Who was Alfred Irving?

African-American freed in 1942

When did Alfred Irving die?

Alfred Irving died on 26 March 1960.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Alfred Irving

· Wikidata: Q120836033

· DBpedia: Alfred Irving (former slave)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Alfred Irving. https://biography.guide/alfred-irving/

MLA: "Alfred Irving." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/alfred-irving/.

Chicago: "Alfred Irving." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/alfred-irving/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 04:58 UTC