William Irwin (California politician)

William Irwin (* about 1827 in Butler County, Ohio; † March 15 1886 in San Francisco, California ) was an American politician (Democratic Party) and the 13th Governor of California.

Biography

Irwin graduated in 1848, Marietta College in Ohio. He later found work as a teacher. After moving to California he worked in different positions in the private sector.

His first political office was that of a deputy in the California State Assembly. At the same time he was the editor of a newspaper. Finally, Irwin was elected to the Senate from California and even became its chairman. In this capacity he was in January 1875 as Vice Governor automatically after the current incumbent Romualdo Pacheco was in turn become governor. The previous Governor Newton Booth was resigned to go to Washington in federal politics. Irwin was Lieutenant Governor for the next nine months and then ran his hand for the office of governor. After his election victory against Republican Timothy Guy Phelps, he joined in December 1875 on his new post he held until the end of the legislature. Irwin did not think much of paper money and swore to a hard currency, which was based on gold and silver. He was also an opponent of amnesty laws for governors and called for the abolition of this instrument. The former Governor Frederick Low said of Irwin, his reputation is based on intelligent look and to keep his mouth shut. In fact, Irwin's term of office was politically uneventful. Worth mentioning is the 1879 California Constitutional Convention meets on second.

1880 Irwin resigned from office. He died on 15 March 1886 in San Francisco.