Richard Irwin

Biography Irwin was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania and fought with distinction in the Mexican-American War before migrating to California in 1849. He became a miner in Rich Bar (now Diamondville), and then became an attorney in the miners' courts. In 1855, he purchased the business of Clark, Wagner & Co. merchants in Rich Bar, along with his partner Robert M. Blakemore. The partnership would be dissolved in the spring of 1865.

Irwin died on February 15, 1869, in Rich Bar at the age of 41. He was buried in the Rich Bar cemetery.

Political career

He was elected to the California State Assembly in 1852, representing Butte County, and again in 1856 representing Plumas County. In 1860 he was elected to the California State Senate representing both Butte and Plumas Counties, but was defeated in 1862. Irwin served as President pro tempore of the Senate between January and May 1861.

He was the Union Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of California in the 1861 election, losing to Republican nominee John F. Chellis.