Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/37

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

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was afterward a student in the Ruffner In- stitute and the \'irginia Polytechnic Insti- tute, entering the last-named institution in 1905 and graduating Bachelor of Science in 1909. In the year of his graduation from the \'irginia Polytechnic Institute he enter- ed the University of \'irginia, and, pursuing a combined classical and legal course, was graduated Bachelor of Laws in 19 13. Gain- ing admission to the bar of Virginia in the same year, he immediately established in practice in Martinsville, where he remains to this time, in April. 1914, having been appointed commissioner of accounts. He is a member of the Masonic order, belong- ing to lodge and chapter, his lodge Pied- mont. No. 152, Free and Accepted Masons; he also belongs to Danville Lodge, No. 227. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. and he is a vestryman of the Protestant Episcopal Church, an office previously held by his honored father.

The death of the elder Carter, which oc- curred soon after John Waddie Carter, Jr., established in practice, prevented an asso- ciation that would have been ideal, and de- prived Mr. Carter of a loving parent and of the guidance of one who would have de- lighted in directing his legal career. John Waddie Carter. Sr.. however, transmitted to his son those qualities of determination and ambition that carry with them the abil- ity to think, act and stand alone, and Mr. Carter could, at the beginning of his pro- fessional career, receive no more valuable heritage.

Henry H. Irwin, M. D. The following record is remarkable in that all three gener- ations of the family of Irwin with whom it is concerned, beginning with the immigrant ancestor. Joseph Irwin, and continuing through his son. Joseph Swjft Irwin, to Henry H. Irwin, its present day representa- tive, have been exponents of the medical profession, \\'oodstock, Virginia, hav'ing reaped the benefits of the services of all three in a period of more than one hundred and thirteen years. Honorable as this rec- ord is, and noble, it does not tell all of the story of this family in Virginia, for eminent as its memljers have been in medical and sur- gical fields, no mean share of their value to their state and the locality in which they have lived has been their willingness to assume duties imposed at the public will and to do

their part in civil and public service. Great a.-- physicians, it has been these qualities of citizenship that made their lives of double value to the community.

The family record begins in the United States with the immigration of Dr. Joseph Irwin, a native of Ireland. In 1802 he moved from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Wood- stock, Virginia, where he was a medical practitioner for fifty years. He was a grad- uate of a Philadelphia medical school. He died in 1852. He married, and among his suns was Joseph Swift, of whom further.

Dr. Joseph Swift Irwin, son of Dr. Joseph Irwin, was born in Woodstock. Virginia, November 30, 1817. died November 16. 1895. He was educated for his father's profes- sion in Jefi'erson Medical College, of Phil- adelphia, whence he was graduated Doc- tor of Medicine, afterward practicing in Woodstock. Virginia, and in West Vir- ginia. For a time he was a surgeon in the Confederate army, later transferring his services to the Union army. His sympathies were strongly with the Union cause, yet so broad were his views, so exacting his sense of duty, so inclusive his love for his fellows, that he gave of his services without dis- tmction. caring little whether the uniform covering a wounded soldier were blue or gray, so long as a man in sufi'ering lay be- neath. During the period of reconstruction immediately following the declaration of peace, he was clerk of Shenandoah county and was also clerk of courts. He was the owner of a farm in the locality, to which he gave personal attention when his duties would permit, and on which he passed his latter years. His professional standing was high and he was widely known as a physi- cian of gentle, kindly manner, sincere in word and deed, one who found in his call- ing the opportunity for service that his sym- pathetic and benevolent nature desired.

Dr. Joseph Swift Irwin married Sarah Catherine, born in December. 1833, daugh- ter of Henry Gochenour. a native of Ger- many, his widow residing in Woodstock, Virginia, until December 7. 1914. Children of Dr. Joseph Swift and Sarah Catherine (Gochenour) Irwin: William T.. a resident of Newark. Ohio ; Linden R.. a druggist of Richmond. Virginia; Holmes A., a justice of the peace and for twenty-two years a magistrate in Woodstock. Virginia ; Clar- ence P.. a druggist of Logan, West Vir-