Bio: John James Irvine, 1879

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org on Tue, 13 Feb 2001

Surnames: IRVINE, ROSCOE, BRASIER, SHAVER

----Source: History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918), by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

JOHN JAMES IRVINE, county treasurer of Clark County, and one of the leading citizens of Neillsville, who has made a good record as farmer, business man and public official, was born on a farm in Beaver Township, Clark County, Aug. 9, 1879, son of William S. and Eliza (Roscoe) Irvine. His elementary education was obtained in the common schools, and he afterwards graduated from the high school at Loyal. He then became a teacher following that vocation for four years at Curtiss, this county. He the took up farming on his father's place in Beaver Township, and was thus occupied at that location until 1914, when his father sold the farm and, retired. After that he carried on agricultural operations on a farm of his own, containing eighty acres, in Beaver Township. He continued to prove this place, and by practical knowledge and enterprise, not only came a prosperous farmer, but also won the esteem and confidence of his fellow men.

For four years he was town treasurer, and for nine years treasurer of his school district. He helped to organize the Woodside Cheese Factory, of which he served as treasurer, and was active in the Beaver Telephone Co., which he served as treasurer for four years. In the fall of 1916, his efficiency and, popularity won for him the election as county treasurer, in which position he has done most excellent work. Immediately, upon coming to Neillsville, he identified himself with the life of the city. With the outbreak of the war there came additional opportunity for service. As treasurer of the Council of Defense his patriotism has found notable expression, and his interest in everything that stands for the best in the county is shown by his position as treasurer of the County Y. M. C.

In the position of First Lieutenant of Co. 1, 10th Wisconsin Infantry, the Neillsville Home Guard, he has won the affection of his men and the esteem of his higher officers. Mr. Irvine is a man of genial temperament a good citizen and a good officer, and his conduct of the treasure 's office has won wide approval and approbation. His selection as treasurer was a wise one, and as he is yet a young man, his friends predict for him a still more brilliant future in Clark County public life. Fraternally, Mr. Irvine is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. He was married Nov. 24, 1898, to Olive E. Brasier, of Loyal, daughter of, John F. and Mary A. (Shaver) Brasier, early settlers of Loyal Township, just outside the village limits.

He and his wife Have three children-Eula, born Feb. 4, 1900; W. Donald, born March 23, 1902, and Evelyn, born Feb. 14, 1904. Mrs. Irvine is a member of the Order of Royal Neighbors and of the Eastern Star. Both she and her husband occupy a high social standing in the community, throughout which they have many warm friends, besides a large number of agreeable acquaintances.